Kai Zenner

Kai Zenner has built his career at the heart of European digital policymaking, establishing himself as a leading authority on artificial intelligence and data governance. He currently serves as Head of Office and Digital Policy Adviser to MEP Axel Voss in the European Parliament, a position he has held since 2017. In this role, he operates at the intersection of law, technology and public policy, advising on some of the most significant digital legislation shaping Europe’s future.

His early career provided a strong legal and institutional grounding. Zenner gained experience through a series of roles in German and European institutions, including internships at the German Bundestag, the Federal Press Office, the Public Prosecution Service Freiberg and law firm Hegarhaus. He later worked as a Research Associate at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, where he deepened his focus on governance and policy development. These early roles gave him a practical understanding of legislative systems and regulatory environments.

Within the European Parliament, Kai has contributed to major policy files covering artificial intelligence, data protection and digital regulation. His work spans the AI Act, GDPR enforcement, ePrivacy and civil liability frameworks for AI, where he has acted as a rapporteur, shadow rapporteur and senior adviser. Alongside legislative drafting, he coordinates with stakeholders across business, civil society and government. His impact has been recognised with several honours, including the 2025 Tech Policy Mover and Shaker to Watch in Europe by Euronews, the 2024 European AI Awards – AI Policy Shaper, the 2023 MEP Assistant Award from The Parliament Magazine, and inclusion in Politico’s Power 40 Brussels Class of 2023.

Beyond EU institutions, Zenner plays an active role in global AI governance. He is a member of the OECD’s Network of Experts on AI, contributes to the World Economic Forum’s AI Governance Alliance, and supported the United Nations’ High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence. In 2025, he became a Fellow of Practice at the Technical University of Munich, where he evaluates EU digital policy and proposes reforms.

Kai Zenner is hired as a keynote speaker for his rare combination of frontline policy experience and global perspective on data governance. He brings clear insight into how regulation, AI and data sovereignty intersect, translating complex frameworks into practical implications for organisations. Audiences value his ability to explain ethical technology use in real terms, drawing on his work shaping EU legislation and advising international bodies on managing data responsibly.