Von der Leyen set to deliver key EU address amid AI and child safety concerns

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to deliver her annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg, widely regarded as her most significant public speech of the year. The address, taking place at the European Parliament, is being closely watched by observers trying to anticipate which pressing issues will be raised.

Expected topics

Among the subjects most likely to feature are plans to restrict children's access to social media, along with the challenges posed by the rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry. The speech's exact contents remain closely guarded ahead of delivery, but migration, climate policy and defense are also expected to come up. Adding to the anticipation, von der Leyen is reportedly set to bring surprise guests to the event, whose identities have not been disclosed in advance.

Context

Artificial intelligence regulation has increasingly become a central topic on the EU's political agenda, alongside growing concern over children's online safety and the effects of social media on younger generations. Both issues have drawn heightened attention from lawmakers and the public in recent months.

A detailed breakdown of the speech's contents and its implications for these policy areas is expected to follow once von der Leyen has concluded her remarks.