This week, Lisbon hosts Europe’s largest annual tech conference, Web Summit, where top executives and lawmakers are set to discuss the implications of Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House. Senior leaders from Apple, Microsoft, and Meta will join high-ranking European officials to examine the future of AI, social media regulations, and the effects of a possible second Trump presidency on Europe.
Ukraine’s Innovation Amid Conflict
Trump recently claimed he could end the Russia-Ukraine conflict within 24 hours of assuming office. Following his re-election, senior Ukrainian officials Alex Bornyakov and Mykhailo Fedorov will address the audience on how Ukraine has continued to innovate amidst the ongoing conflict. John Adam, chief revenue officer at Aimsoftpro, a software development firm with 70% of its team still in Ukraine, expressed mixed feelings about Trump’s approach to the conflict. “Trump’s focus seems to align with the current lines of conflict, which is concerning for Ukraine. While we are hesitant, we’re also eager to see an endpoint,” he explained.
The Musk Factor: SpaceX, Starlink, and Social Media
Although Elon Musk won’t attend, his influence will be a frequent topic, from his involvement in Ukraine via Starlink to SpaceX’s advancements and his controversial leadership of X, previously Twitter. One panel will explore Europe’s potential to create a rival to SpaceX, while another will assess whether Musk’s decisions “destroyed Twitter.” Joe Benarroch, former X spokesperson and head of business operations, will join a panel titled “What to do about social media,” debating the platform’s future. While the EU has pushed for stricter content moderation, some expect Trump’s re-election could reduce these efforts. Mark Weinstein, founder of privacy-focused platform MeWe, will join Benarroch on Wednesday to discuss this shift.
