The third roundtable of the #CEEAIChallenger 2026 series took place in Vilnius under the theme "From rules to results: Unlocking AI growth in CEE." Co-organised by INFOBALT, the meeting brought together policymakers, industry leaders, experts and representatives of digital organisations from across Central and Eastern Europe to discuss how the region can contribute to shaping a more coherent, innovation-friendly and competitive AI regulatory framework.

As artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly important driver of economic growth and competitiveness, participants agreed that regulation will play a decisive role in determining whether Europe succeeds in scaling AI innovation or falls behind global competitors. While the CEE region benefits from strong technical talent, a growing innovation ecosystem and increasing AI adoption, it continues to face challenges related to regulatory fragmentation, uneven implementation and limited coordination among Member States.

The discussion focused on the need to simplify, harmonise and streamline the European AI rulebook, with particular attention given to the ongoing work on the AI Omnibus package and broader efforts to reduce regulatory burden across the EU.

Opening the debate, participants stressed that businesses are not opposed to regulation as such. Rather, they seek legal certainty, proportionality and predictability that would allow them to innovate and invest with confidence.

„The AI Act and its implementation should bring us closer to one European market for AI, not 27 different interpretations of the same rules. Regulatory fragmentation is one of the biggest barriers to scaling AI solutions across CEE and the EU. Consistent implementation and enforcement matter as much as the legislation itself. Companies should be able to innovate once and deploy across Europe, rather than navigate different national compliance regimes” - said Michał Kanownik, President of the Digital Poland Association.

Several speakers highlighted that while Europe is increasingly committed to simplification, many businesses still perceive the digital regulatory landscape as overly complex. Participants pointed to overlapping obligations, multiple supervisory authorities, a lack of standards in certain areas, and uncertainty surrounding the implementation timeline of AI-related legislation. Concerns were also raised that new regulatory initiatives are sometimes introduced before companies receive the guidance necessary to comply with existing requirements.

The importance of regulatory sandboxes was repeatedly emphasised as a practical mechanism for making the regulatory environment more innovation-friendly. Participants noted that effective AI policy should not focus solely on compliance, but also on enabling deployment, investment and economic growth.

The discussion further explored how CEE countries can work together to develop a more coordinated regional approach to AI governance. Participants agreed that the region has a shared interest in preventing regulatory gold-plating, reducing unnecessary divergences in implementation and strengthening its influence in European policymaking.

- CEE should speak with a stronger and more coordinated voice in shaping Europe’s AI agenda. The region’s priorities must include adoption, competitiveness, skills, infrastructure and access to computing capacity. AI policy should focus not only on regulation, but also on enabling deployment and economic growth - speakers noted during the discussion.

Participants also underlined the importance of closer dialogue between regulators and industry. Greater understanding of technological developments, stronger cooperation among countries with similar policy objectives and more systematic exchange of implementation experiences were identified as essential elements of effective policymaking.

The meeting additionally addressed the role of trusted international partnerships in supporting Europe's technological ambitions. Participants noted that strengthening European capabilities should not lead to isolation and that cooperation with like-minded international partners can complement efforts to build European competitiveness in AI.

Another important topic was the need for stronger coordination among CEE countries in Brussels. Speakers argued that while the region often shares similar challenges and priorities, it has not always succeeded in presenting a unified position on key digital policy issues. Strengthening cooperation among governments, regulators, industry organisations and businesses could help amplify the region’s voice and ensure that future regulatory frameworks better reflect CEE perspectives and economic realities.

The Vilnius roundtable formed part of the broader #CEEAIChallenger 2026 series, which brings together stakeholders from across Central and Eastern Europe to identify practical recommendations for strengthening the region’s AI ecosystem. As discussions continue across the region, participants increasingly point to a common conclusion: Europe needs not only effective safeguards, but also a regulatory framework that enables innovation, investment and large-scale AI deployment. For Central and Eastern Europe, speaking with one voice may prove to be one of the most important factors in achieving that goal.