Bálint Pataki

Director of Policy @ Arq Foundation

About

I am the Arq Foundation’s Director of Policy, overseeing the think tank’s relationships with policy stakeholders in the EU and beyond. Earlier, I was a Senior AI Policy Researcher at CFG. My research into EU AI innovation policies has been featured in outlets like Euractiv, Tagesspiegel, Science Business, Parliament Magazine, and Tech Policy Press. Before, I was an Accredited Parliamentary Assistant for MEP Maydell, where I focused on EU AI, biotechnology, and quantum policies. In addition to contributing to the EU AI Act negotiations, I lectured and spoke at the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Leiden and briefed US Congressional staffers on EU AI policy developments. My practical experience is complemented by an academic foundation in Economics and Public Policy from the Universities of Oxford and Leiden.

Country

Belgium

City

Brussels

Industry

Computer Software

Skill

Leadership, Policy Analysis, AI Policy, Economics, European Union, Project Management, Digital Policy, Media Relations, Artificial Intelligence (AI), R, Microsoft Excel, Research, Data Analysis, Public Policy, Quantitative Research, Analytical Skills, Microsoft Office, Databases, Teamwork, Organization Skills

Experience

Director of Policy

Arq Foundation

2026-4 - Present · 6 mos

Brussels Metropolitan Area

Senior AI Policy Researcher

Centre for Future Generations (CFG)

2024-6 - 2026-4 · 1 yr 11 mos

Brussels Region, Belgium

- Researched how the EU's advanced AI policies can best support the Union's economic performance, security, and democracy. - Coordinated 15 policy professionals in a month-long sprint suggesting ways to create a CERN for AI, which culminated in widespread media engagement. - Co-led the Advanced AI team's policy outreach. - Spoke at relevant events on behalf of CFG. - Supervised junior researchers.

Accredited Parliamentary Assistant

European Parliament

2023-11 - 2024-6 · 8 mos

Brussels, Brussels Region, Belgium

- Supported MEP Maydell's work by preparing policy briefings, political statements, and speeches on AI, Quantum computing, biotechnologies, and geopolitical trends. - Represented the office’s AI policy stances in expert roundtables and consultation processes organised by think tanks and industry stakeholders. - Authored a comparative policy briefing on AI Governance Approaches in India, the UK, Canada, and Brazil. - Briefed US Congressional Staffers, university students, and business leaders about the EU AI Act.

Digital Policy Trainee

European Commission

2023-10 - 2023-10 · 1 mo

Parliamentary Assistant Trainee

European Parliament

2023-8 - 2023-9 · 2 mos

Short-term External Consultant - AI Strategy

Majandus- ja Kommunikatsiooniministeerium / Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications

2023-7 - 2023-8 · 2 mos

Tallinn Metropolitan Area

- Contributed to the 2024–26 Estonian AI Strategy, defining strategic objectives, technical KPIs, and implementation metrics across regulation, innovation, and partnerships. - Presented findings to 70+ data policymakers and experts in Tallinn in a public presentation.

Public Policy Analyst

KPMG Hungary

2021-7 - 2022-6 · 1 yr

Budapest, Hungary

- Analysed how regulatory developments affected the automotive and banking industries and advised clients. - Served as principal author of a policy briefing on AI solutions in mortgage loan automation. - Advised an EU government on implementing the Energy Efficiency Directive. - Designed a training course on the structure and functioning of the European Union.

Academic Programme Board Member

Leiden University College The Hague

2020-5 - 2021-6 · 1 yr 2 mos

- Sat on the highest academic decision-making body of the College. - Coordinated a team of 9 in a 6-month-long interview, focus group and survey-based investigation into student wellbeing that led to the alteration of the College’s academic calendar. - Organised the first fraud-free student body elections in 2 years by researching online voting platforms and calibrating Qualtrics’s survey tool. - Partook in hiring panels for researchers and administrative staff.

Research Assistant

Leiden University College The Hague

2019-10 - 2020-8 · 11 mos

The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands

- Assisted in researching credit rating agencies, Hungarian central banking, and social welfare policies. - Analysed interviews, reports, and databases with quantitative text analysis in R and qualitative coding in Atlas.ti and Dedoose.

Residential Assistant

Leiden University College The Hague

2019-7 - 2020-6 · 1 yr

- Provided pastoral support to residents of 15+ nationalities regarding academic, personal, and housing matters. - Served as an emergency response officer providing first aid, fire safety, and mental health support. - Organized student activities aiming at out-of-classroom learning and community building. - Upheld Leiden University's rules and regulations.