Kai Zenner

Fellow of practice

Kai Zenner is Head of Office and Digital Policy Adviser for MEP Axel Voss (EPP) in the European Parliament, specializing in AI policy, privacy, and the EU's digital transition. Before, he worked as Research Associate at the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation. His extensive experience also includes roles as Member of the OECD.AI Network of Experts, the AI Governance Alliance at the World Economic Forum, and before the United Nations' temporary Expert Group supporting the High-Level Advisory Body on AI.
He holds degrees in political science from the University of Bremen (B.A.) and the University of Edinburgh (M.Sc.) as well as a State Exam in law from the University of Münster. Recognized for his influence on digital policy, Zenner was awarded Best MEP Assistant (2023), ranked #13 in Politico’s Power 40 (2023), received the European AI Award (2024), and was highlighted by Euronews as one of '14 movers and shakers' in Tech policy to watch in 2025.

The Fellowship of Practice is carried out in a personal capacity

Related Projects

EU Digital Policy Reloaded: Scrutinising the Past, Shaping the Future

Kai Zenner joins the TUM Think Tank as Fellow of Practice to critically assess a decade of EU digital policy initiatives, pinpoint structural weaknesses, and suggest actionable improvements.

Fellowship

Integrating experienced practitioners into the work of the TUM Think Tank

Fellowship

Related Outputs

  • Publication

    The European Way: A blueprint for reclaiming our digital future

    This policy paper is a call for Europe to reclaim its digital future. Directed in particular at the EU Institutions and the new German government, it has three core objectives: (a) to appeal to decision makers to seize the moment and finally mitigate the EU’s excessive and unilateral technology dependencies; (b) to articulate a coherent, values- driven digital policy vision — the ‘European Way’ — that aligns innovation, competitiveness, and democratic principles; and (c) to propose six larger reform packages that translate this vision into concrete actions across the entire technology stack, from digital infrastructure and single market integration to geopolitics, good governance, energy supply, and digital talent as well as skills.

    04. Jun 2025