12/06/2026
The European Commission recently appointed the Chairman of Siemens AG – Mr Jim Hagemann Snabe – as the EU’s special envoy for industrial AI. This new role is tasked with advising the President of the EU Commission on one of the most consequential policy areas of our time. Together with Corporate Europe Observatory, Transparency International EU, and LobbyControl, The Good Lobby has prepared an open letter calling on Commission President von der Leyen and Vice-President Virkkunen to revoke this appointment immediately. The reason is straightforward: Mr Hagemann Snabe cannot fulfil this mandate objectively, impartially, or independently.
What the rules require
The Commission’s own rules on special advisers are clear. When appointing an adviser, each Commissioner must ensure there is no conflict of interest between the adviser’s duties and any outside activities. Article 11 of the Staff Regulations – which also applies to special advisers – reinforces this: officials must not deal with matters in which they have a personal interest capable of impairing their independence, including financial interests. Mr Hagemann Snabe’s current and recent affiliations make it impossible to meet this standard.
Four reasons his appointment is untenable
First, Mr Hagemann Snabe is the Chairman of Siemens AG. Siemens is a major player in the AI market that has actively lobbied EU institutions to narrow the scope of the Artificial Intelligence Act. The company spends at least €3.5 million annually on Brussels lobbying and holds regular meetings with the Commission. An AI envoy who simultaneously chairs Siemens’ Supervisory Board cannot credibly claim to advise in the public interest.
Second, Mr Hagemann Snabe has ties to Google Cloud and C3.ai. Although Mr Hagemann Snabe has suspended his advisory board memberships at both companies, his prior relationships and ongoing financial interests remain. SEC filings reveal he still holds C3.ai stock worth over $4 million. Suspension of a board seat does not sever the financial and reputational ties that could shape his advice.
Third, Mr Hagemann Snabe is a Board member of Bloom Energy Corporation. Bloom Energy provides on-site power generation for data centres, a sector squarely within the AI envoy’s mandate, which has “a particular focus on AI infrastructure, including data centres.” The Commission’s announcement made no mention of whether Mr Hagemann Snabe intends to step down from this role. He holds significant Bloom Energy securities.
Fourth, Mr Hagemann Snabe is a Board member of Temasek Holdings. This major investment fund holds stakes across the digital industry, including Amazon, Nvidia, Tencent, and Alibaba, all of which have significant interests in AI policy outcomes. Again, the Commission was silent on whether any steps would be taken to address this.
Why this matters beyond the rules
Even if every formal safeguard imaginable were put in place, the appearance of independence is itself a public good, one that this appointment cannot credibly provide. At a moment when European citizens are growing more concerned about under-regulated AI and the environmental footprint of data centres, appointing an envoy with deep industry ties sends entirely the wrong signal. We urge the Commission to revoke Mr Hagemann Snabe’s appointment with immediate effect and to appoint an AI envoy who can genuinely act with independence and integrity.