This is a rewrite of an Article in the Danish newspaper Politiken, written by Jens Bostrup, where our CEO, Anders Kofod-Pedersen, was interviewed. Read the full article (in Danish) here.

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When Donald Trump recently unveiled his vision to secure U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence, he likely didn’t intend to create a massive opportunity for European AI companies. But that’s precisely what may be happening.

At OptikosPrime, we witness firsthand how the growing global demand for trustworthy, inclusive AI systems is shifting the competitive landscape. Our technology, which utilises mobile photos to detect vision problems such as myopia and hyperopia, is currently more accurate for European eyes. That’s not a bug; it’s a reflection of the data it was trained on. And it’s why we’ve partnered with NGOs like Sightsavers to build more inclusive training data and improve performance for African and Asian populations, where access to basic eye care remains limited.

What’s important here is not just our technology, but the regulatory framework in which we operate.

Unlike the deregulatory push now seen in the U.S., the EU’s AI Act requires that systems address bias, ensure quality, and protect human rights. These standards might be seen as “red tape” in Silicon Valley, but for the rest of the world, they’re increasingly becoming a seal of trust. In markets where the majority of users don’t resemble the average American in the training dataset, trust matters.

The irony?

Trump’s plan, by aiming to export AI with built-in U.S. values and few safeguards, could alienate international customers. Many countries are unlikely to embrace systems that don’t reflect their cultural, ethical, or demographic realities. That opens the door for European AI providers who are already building with inclusion and transparency at the core.

We believe that’s a strength, not a constraint.

And we’re not alone. China, too, is making strategic moves to offer AI systems tailored to the preferences of local governments, whether that involves authoritarian control or democratic accountability. However, Europe is uniquely positioned to lead in ethical, high-quality AI: we possess the research, talent, infrastructure, and, crucially, the values to support it.

The challenge now is to hold onto our innovators. Too often, Europe’s startups are acquired or lured abroad before they scale. However, if we can retain and support this talent, we can build a thriving ecosystem rooted in responsible AI and establish European values as the global standard.

At OptikosPrime, we’re committed to that vision.

Want to learn more about how we’re building inclusive, real-world AI for vision care? Reach out.

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