The EU’s outgoing digital and competition supremo regretted the outcome of landmark tax state aid cases and expressed optimism for the future of European AI in an exclusive sit down with Radio Schuman.

“It would have been better” if the Commission had won the controversial tax state aid cases – successfully challenged by Ireland and Luxembourg in respect of so-called sweetheart deals with Apple and Engie – Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager told us.

However the woman at the forefront of shaping the EU’s competition and digital policies for nearly a decade was content that global tax policies had adapted over the same period, and she expressed optimism that the conditions for investment and ethical development of AI have paved the way for a European AI model that can compete in a fierce global contest.

Vestager also defended her track record, and criticised gender imbalance in the nominations for the next EU commissioners.

Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron and music by Alexandre Jas.