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Capgemini CEO dismisses calls for full European tech autonomy
Reuters· 2026-02-13 09:09
Core Viewpoint - Capgemini CEO Aiman Ezzat rejects the notion of complete technological sovereignty in Europe, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to digital autonomy that accommodates both sovereignty and global competitiveness [1] Group 1: Technological Sovereignty - Ezzat states that "there is no such thing as absolute sovereignty," highlighting that no entity possesses complete control over the entire value chain necessary for service delivery [1] - The current European tech policy reflects a tension between the desire for autonomy and the reality of reliance on U.S. tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft [1] - Ezzat outlines a four-layer framework for digital autonomy: data, operations, regulation, and technology, indicating that Europe has independence at the first three levels but lacks complete technological independence due to U.S. dominance [1] Group 2: Strategic Partnerships - Instead of pursuing full autonomy, Ezzat advocates for finding "the right sovereignty solution based on the use case, the client environment, the government" [1] - Capgemini has formed partnerships with U.S. hyperscalers such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft to provide "sovereign" AI solutions, which are cloud services offered by a European company but utilize American infrastructure [1] - The company is also engaging with European AI firms like France-based Mistral as part of its strategy to navigate the complexities of technological sovereignty [1] Group 3: Reputational Challenges - Capgemini is facing reputational issues related to government contracts, exemplified by its decision to sell its U.S. subsidiary, Capgemini Government Solutions, following backlash over a $4.8 million contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [1]