Atlantic Convergence 2025: The digital bridge between continents and the future of smart infrastructure

Atlantic Convergence 2025: The Digital Bridge Between Continents and the Future of Intelligent Infrastructure
Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the first day of Atlantic Convergence 2025, at the invitation of Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX, and the leadership team of AtlasEdge. As someone who has followed the evolution of connectivity, infrastructure, and investment in both the physical and digital realms, I found this gathering to be a defining moment. The conversations that took place in Lisbon during the event revealed not only how much the Atlantic has become a strategic space for technology and data, but also how central Portugal now stands in this global dialogue.
The opening ceremony, led by Ivo Ivanov, set the tone with his usual contagious energy and visionary clarity. Every time I see him on stage, I am reminded that digital infrastructure is not just about cables and data centers, but about people, collaboration, and shared purpose. Joined by other founding CEOs and Sandra Maximiano from ANACOM, the discussion explored two essential questions that framed the rest of the day: why the Atlantic Convergence initiative matters to each company, and what it truly means to be a founder in this era of transformation. Their reflections revealed a powerful common vision: the Atlantic is no longer a separation between continents but a digital corridor connecting economies, innovation, and societies. It is becoming a living ecosystem of inclusion, resilience, and cross-continental cooperation.
Throughout the day, the event unfolded as a sequence of powerful keynotes and dialogues that bridged strategy, technology, and human insight. Laura Galante, Principal at WestExec Advisors, offered a deep geopolitical perspective in her talk “Converging Forces: The Pan-Atlantic at the Crossroads of Strategy, Security, and Innovation.” She examined how cyber intelligence, national strategy, and technological innovation now intersect in ways that shape not only global competition but the very concept of digital sovereignty. Her message was as complex as it was urgent: the digital world has become both a tool and a battleground, demanding new approaches to governance and resilience.
John Harrington, Executive Vice President for Network Infrastructure at Nokia, then guided the audience through a forward-looking exploration of how artificial intelligence is reshaping digital infrastructure across the Atlantic. His keynote, “The Future of the Internet: Technology Megatrends Shaping the Pan-Atlantic Digital Infrastructure,” illustrated how AI is driving exponential growth in data traffic, connectivity, and computing power. He emphasized that the next generation of network architecture must be both sustainable and secure, capable of supporting the immense demands of AI ecosystems. The relationship between technology and real estate was evident to me as he spoke: data centers, fiber networks, and energy grids are becoming the new foundational assets of the modern economy.
When Ivo Ivanov returned to the stage for his own keynote, “AI for Everything, Everyone, and Everywhere,” he brought the audience back to the essence of the digital transformation underway. He presented the concept of the digital connectivity triangle, an idea that unites artificial intelligence, interconnection, and infrastructure. His call to action was direct and compelling: to empower the global digital infrastructure community to make advanced intelligence accessible, secure, and equitable for all. His presentation showed how AI-IX (AI Exchange) platforms and open, neutral ecosystems will shape the future of connectivity, from healthcare and mobility to industry and education. It was one of those moments where vision, technology, and purpose truly aligned.
The afternoon sessions deepened the discussion with a more technical and investment-driven focus. Zaid Kahn, CEO of Neuron Factory, spoke about designing AI-ready digital infrastructure across the Atlantic, emphasizing distributed architectures and energy efficiency as the foundation for sustainable growth. Colman Deegan from Zayo Europe and Vinay Nagpal from IG Group joined for a fireside chat that explored how the investment ecosystem is adapting to the disruptive force of artificial intelligence. Their conversation highlighted how infrastructure funds, data center operators, and telecom groups are rethinking their strategies to accommodate a surge in AI-driven demand. Listening to them, it became clear that data has truly become the new energy of the global economy.
Further sessions added even more depth and regional context. José Luis Arnau from Nostrum Data Center positioned Western Iberia as the next great hyperscale hub of Europe, pointing to Portugal and Spain’s unique advantages in geography, renewable energy, and connectivity. Fernando Borges de Azevedo from Start Campus described how Sines is emerging as Europe’s sovereign AI gateway, powered by green energy and serving as a link between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. His presentation on the SINES Data Campus captured the essence of what I have been observing across global markets: the convergence of real estate, energy, and digital infrastructure into a single, transformative industry.
Throughout the day, there was also strong focus on collaboration across the wider Atlantic basin. Mohamad Ibrahim spoke about Africa’s growing role in digital infrastructure and AI innovation, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and shared growth. Panels and café talks explored how the South Atlantic corridor connecting Africa and Latin America is becoming vital for data flow, innovation, and sustainable development. These conversations made it clear that the Atlantic, once seen as a natural boundary, is fast becoming a global digital ecosystem where knowledge, capital, and opportunity circulate freely.
Reflecting on the event, I was struck by how much this mirrors what I see across international real estate and infrastructure forums. The same forces are shaping investment worldwide: the pursuit of stability, the need for sustainability, and the hunger for connectivity. What differentiates Portugal is how it has positioned itself within this equation. It now stands as a secure, innovative, and technologically advanced gateway to Europe, offering not just a market but a bridge between continents. From data centers to energy grids, from talent to technology, Portugal is proving to be both the stage and the actor in this new Atlantic narrative.
As the first day of Atlantic Convergence 2025 came to a close, the reflection session led by Esther Paniagua and Mariana Barbosa reminded everyone that the story we are building is not about technology alone. It is about people, ideas, and the responsibility of shaping a digital future that is inclusive and sustainable. The Atlantic, once a symbol of distance, has become the bridge where our digital, economic, and human futures converge.