Tag: finance

  • Can Luxembourg lead in AI?

    Can Luxembourg lead in AI?

    Let’s have a real conversation.

    When we ask if Luxembourg can lead in AI, we’re not questioning our country’s capability.

    We’re really asking whether we’re ready to back the people who are already pushing the boundaries.

    I’m thinking of Misch Strotz from LetzAI, today. Misch and the team are the kind of innovators who make you sit up and think, “F8vk, this is happening right here in Luxembourg!” They’re putting us on the map in a global race that’s moving faster every day.

    Let’s be honest—we’ve got challenges:

    – Living Costs: Starting something new is tough in Luxembourg.

    – We’re Culturally Cautious: Taking risks isn’t exactly our national pastime.

    – WHERE’S THE MONEY?: Tech start-ups need capital, and the ecosystem here isn’t as nurturing as it could(should) be.

    It’s not about whether we have talent.

    We do.

    It’s about whether we’re creating the right environment for that talent to thrive.

    If a company from Luxembourg becomes a global household name, something people talk about for the next 20 years, it’s going to be LetzAI.

    That’s the potential I see in LetzAI. Their market reach could be massive—from Netflix producers and Hollywood studios to advertisers across Europe and Asia. They’re already becoming a go-to tool for creators around the world.

    They empower people and brands to contribute their own content, creating “AI Models” that respect intellectual property. As Misch puts it:

    “Better AI requires better niche data. By encouraging users to add themselves and optimize their datasets on our platform, we’re tackling one of AI’s biggest problems: the lack of quality data for niche content.”

    This opens many doors; two that I want to highlight here for my Luxembourg IP laywers and investors:

    – Intellectual Property: They are offering SOLUTIONS in a time when AI and COPYRIGHT are in a messy relationship.

    – Creator Economy: They will be HELPING artists and creators MONETISE and TRACK the impact of their work in ways we haven’t seen before.

    If I were in VC, I’d back them in a heartbeat.

    Supporting companies like LetzAI isn’t just good for them; it’s good for all of us.

    We said years ago we wanted to set the stage for Luxembourg to become a tech hub.

    We got very good at saying it.

    Now it’s time to show how it’s done.

    While we’re pushing forward, we obviously can’t ignore the impact of AI on society. The UN released the “Governing AI for Humanity” report last week and it talks about how we need global cooperation to manage the risks of AI and make sure its benefits reach everyone.

    But the key word is ‘while’.

    We (especially in Europe) have done a lot to be ahead of regulation, but not ahead of Tech.

    And here’s something I’ve kept saying and we need to consider seriously: the future of AI should be shaped by democratic values and democratic countries.

    If we leave AI development to countries or companies that don’t prioritise transparency and individual freedoms, we put the future of our democracies at risk.

    Supporting teams like LetzAI isn’t just business — it ensures Luxembourg can be an active and influential participant in the global AI conversation, outside of Parliaments and Bureaucracies: in the actual tech.

    So, can Luxembourg lead in AI?

    I believe we can.

    But now is the moment to prove it by supporting and funding our innovators.

    Those are my thoughts. What are yours?

    Christos Floros

  • Capital that works where we need it

    Capital that works where we need it

    Hello,

    In capitalism lies an inherent promise: the ability to swiftly allocate resources, solve problems, and create prosperity through innovation. This dynamic flow of capital has propelled societies forward, fostering advancements that shape our world. However, this system only functions at its best when it serves all of us. A market must be truly free — not just in the sense of avoiding complicated regulation, but free from the stranglehold of unfair monopolies that threaten to lead us down a path of neo-feudalism.

    To protect a truly free market, we must continue to strengthen our model of social capitalism. This means recognising the profound social impact of our economic activities and taking responsibility for it.

    When a market and an economy performs well, it is a force for good, driving innovation while ensuring fairness and equity. Monopolies on the other hand, by their very nature, stifle competition and concentrate power in the hands of a few. This concentration of power is leading us to economic disparity, reduced innovation, and the erosion of individual freedoms.

    We are indeed at risk of regressing into a form of neo-feudalism, where few, often for us Europeans, very far from home, would control vast resources and opportunities, leaving the majority disenfranchised. We must prevent this regression by fostering a market environment where competition thrives, and opportunities are accessible to all. This is not just about protecting our businesses; it’s about safeguarding the fundamental freedoms and purchasing power of individuals.

    A truly free market must empower people, providing them with the choices and opportunities necessary for a prosperous life. Now here’s two things:

    • 1. ESG goals are a vital part of achieving this. ESG principles guide businesses to operate responsibly, considering their impact on the environment, society, and governance structures. When businesses commit to ESG principles, they demonstrate a dedication to more than just profit—they show a commitment to the well-being of people and the planet. This approach aligns with the ideals of social capitalism, where economic success and social responsibility go hand in hand.
    • 2. Innovation is the lifeblood of progress. We must protect and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit that drives economic growth and job creation. However, this protection must not come at the expense of fairness and equity. We need a balanced approach that fosters innovation while preventing unfair concentration of power and wealth.

    We’ve got to commit to reform, and the building of a market that is truly both free and just. We must advocate for policies that prevent monopolies, support small and medium-sized enterprises, and ensure that the benefits of capitalism are broadly shared. We must continue to implement and strengthen ESG goals, holding businesses accountable for their social and environmental impact.

    Together, we must protect our freedoms, empower our communities, and build a just and prosperous future for all. We need capital to work, where we need it, how we need it. Human-centric capital at work. Of course, all of this, depends on our ability to remain strong enough to set our own rules. Any sudden, thoughtless shift, would damage us. If we do nothing too, if we continue our European decline, without any reaction to the state of global affairs, then we will eventually be left to follow the rules and norms set by others.

    Food for thought,

    Christos FLOROS