Data Sovereignty: From Regulation to Power. The advance of cloud computing and the mass adoption of artificial intelligence are redefining the value of data. For Fried, the key question is no longer how information is processed, but who controls access to it. “By 2026, data sovereignty will no longer be a compliance requirement, but an instrument of power,” says the Object First executive. “For European companies, knowing where their information is stored and who can access it will be as strategic as protecting their intellectual property.” The recent Digital Sovereignty Summit held in Berlin, which brought together more than 900 institutional, industry, and academic leaders, confirmed this need for a more resilient European cloud and data ecosystem that is less dependent on non-European providers.
Generative AI Becomes Sovereign. After the initial explosion of large-scale models, 2026 will mark the transition to trusted generative AI, hosted in local environments or certified European infrastructures. “We are seeing a clear move away from open and uncontrolled architectures,” explains Fried. “Organizations want AI models that are traceable, ethical, compliant with European regulations, and above all, secure against leaks or alterations of sensitive data.” Sovereign AI projects, both national and pan-European, will multiply, driven by trusted cloud providers and regulators. European regulations are becoming the backbone of digital resilience. Regulations such as DORA, NIS2, the Data Act, and the Cyber Resilience Act will be the framework that defines how data is managed, protected, and audited in Europe. “Europe is ceasing to be the slow continent and becoming the continent of reasoned security,” Fried emphasizes. “These regulations don't stifle innovation; they organize it and make it reliable.” Companies will invest in data mapping, advanced traceability, immutable backups, and transparent workflows to demonstrate end-to-end control. Sovereign multi-cloud is becoming the standard. According to Fried, the “single, global, borderless cloud” model is no longer realistic. Instead, 2026 will see the consolidation of hybrid and multi-cloud architectures that combine international public clouds, European providers, and on-premises data centers. This approach will allow for a balance between innovation and sovereignty, especially in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and utilities. “The cloud is no longer a destination, but a segmented and controlled ecosystem,” Fried points out. “Organizations want flexibility, but without relinquishing control of their critical data.
Conclusions for 2026
The move toward data sovereignty is already underway. For Fried, the competitive advantage in the coming years will depend on the right combination of innovation and autonomy. “In a world where data drives everything, having control is no longer optional,” concludes Daniel Fried. “Organizations that act now will be better prepared for the future.”
