# When algorithms enter the lobby: What AI changes and what it doesn’t - part 2 — Voice Affairs 05 > What AI has begun to reveal about the dynamics of influence, including how signals circulate, how relevance is determined and how attention is… Source: https://voice-sc.com/voice-affairs/issue-05/ Voice Affairs — Issue 05 · 27 February 2026 # When algorithms enter the lobby: What AI changes and what it doesn’t - part 2 By Sebastian Sass ## The Briefing Once a month, we publish an editorial on how influence works in Europe today, a legislative radar on what is moving in Brussels, and a note on the work behind it. Written for the decision-maker’s chair, and for those who advise it. Issue 05 · 27 February 2026 ## When algorithms enter the lobby: What AI changes and what it doesn’t - part 2 What AI has begun to reveal about the dynamics of influence, including how signals circulate, how relevance is determined and how attention is allocated, now extends to the broader practice of European public affairs, transforming how teams manage information and act strategically. While adoption accelerates, regulatory frameworks are still evolving, leaving space of uncertainty. ### Editorial AI already reduces operational burdens in routine tasks, but political outcomes depend on informal interactions, off-the-record compromises, and personal relationships that remain invisible to algorithms. Crucially, AI does not replace human judgment, but it can argue it where it matters most. Systems must rely on verified information and interpret procedural stages correctly because mistakes are not just inaccuracies; they carry reputational risk and shape influence in ways that matter strategically. The AI Act sets boundaries, defines risk categories, and imposes transparency obligations on providers and users. Using AI in advocacy is no longer only technical; it is a matter of credibility and professional discretion. The question is not whether AI belongs in public affairs, but under what conditions it can strengthen judgment and credibility. Sebastian Sass is Senior Advisor to Voice Strategic Consulting. ### Legislative Radar with Thembi #### What we are tracking next As AI-powered monitoring becomes standard, the question is no longer what is happening, but what deserves attention first. As every month, we ask Thembi to focus on two priority intelligence tracks. This month’s priorities: #### Energy & Fuels RFNBO Review Becomes Flashpoint Under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), the EU Commission must assess by July 2028 whether the strict RFNBO criteria deliver sufficient availability and affordability of green hydrogen, and amend them via delegated act if needed to support scale-up. Reality check: the EU's objective of 10 million tonnes per year of domestic renewable hydrogen by 2030 will be missed by miles; projections are hovering at just 2.5-4.4 Mt under current trajectories. This has turned the review into a major point of pressure. Industry actors are urging the Commission to bring the review forward, calling for moderation of additionality and temporal correlation rules to accelerate market ramp-up. NGOs, climate groups and project developers who structured investments around the existing framework warn against reopening the rulebook. The outcome will shape which production pathways capture regulatory advantages and price premiums, and how quickly Europe can scale competitive hydrogen supply under predictable rules. #### CBAM Extension Parliament File Turns Political The EU Commission's December 2025 proposal to extend the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to selected downstream steel- and aluminium-intensive products has now advanced in the ENVI Committee of the European Parliament. Dutch MEP Mohammed Chahim (S&D), the original CBAM rapporteur in 2021 - 2022, has been named lead rapporteur, making him a key interlocutor for stakeholders on this file. Under the ordinary legislative procedure, debates are likely to centre on expanding the scope to address residual carbon leakage further down the value chain, strengthening anti-circumvention safeguards, and balancing climate integrity with EU industrial competitiveness. The file now enters the political negotiation phase in the 2026 - 2027 cycle, with co-decision ideally concluding by 2027 to align with the proposed 2028 application date. ### In case you missed it #### Back to IULM Last weekend, our Co-Founders Jacopo Garone and Davide Fiorentino returned to IULM University, this time not as students, but as professionals invited to share their journey from university to entrepreneurship. The conversation explored how career choices, challenges, ambitions and relationships shape long-term professional paths. Moments like this remind us how deeply we believe in universities that form not only knowledge but also mindset, standards, and professional direction. #### Fueling growth Adamant Group acquired a majority stake in a new biorefinery in Milan, set to come online in March 2026. The investment strengthens Adamant’s position in sustainable energy, expands its operational footprint in biofuel production, and contributes to Italy’s renewable energy transition. #### A new advisor joins Voice We are delighted to announce that Lorenzo Levis has joined Voice’s Advisory Board. His contribution adds a strong technical, industrial and business perspective to Voice’s work, reinforcing our ability to provide senior guidance and counsel across complex regulatory and business landscapes.