Mario Mariniello
Mario Mariniello is a Non-resident Fellow at Bruegel. He specialises in digital and competition policy.
He covers the economics of digital markets and the impact of technology in labour markets. He also researches the data economy, digital market regulation and artificial intelligence.
He speaks English and Italian.
Mario is also a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe (Natolin). He was previously a Senior Fellow at Bruegel, where he launched and led the “Future of Work and Inclusive Growth” project. He formerly taught at the University of Namur, the Université Libre de Bruxelles and the University of Florence. He was Digital Adviser at the European Political Strategy Centre, an in-house European Commission think-tank that operated under the authority of former Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, was a member of the Chief Economist Team at DG Competition and worked on the use of artificial intelligence in workplaces at DG Employment. He holds a PhD in Industrial Organization from the European University Institute (Florence, 2008), a MSc in Economics (Turin, 2003), a BA in Political Science (Florence, 2002) and a BA in Philosophy (KU Leuven, 2025).
Disclosure of interests
Featured work
The right balance: how to fix European Union artificial intelligence regulation
EU AI regulation should trade lower ex-ante burden for robust ex-post monitoring, judicial review and liability to curb harms without stifling markets
To achieve tech sovereignty, Europe must not mimic its rivals
To cut its dependence on US and Chinese tech, Europe is copying their protectionism: raising costs, inviting retaliation and missing the real fix
Deregulating artificial intelligence will not boost EU tech markets
European plans to weaken AI users’ rights are unlikely to help achieve convergence in performance between the EU and US tech markets
The case for a European Union digital enforcement authority
The European Union's digital rulebook could be better enforced by delegating some of the European Commission's powers to an independent agency
How can a political European Commission be an effective digital watchdog?
Europe’s artificial intelligence strategy should be built on European strengths
Europe can gain most from AI not through development but through sound regulation and adoption of the best the world has to offer
AI, data and Europe’s quest to simplify
How can the EU adapt its rulebook to meet tomorrow's technology environment?
Colonialism 4.0 and Coloniality 4.0
Efficiency and distribution in the European Union’s digital deregulation push
A new framework shows how EU digital reforms must balance efficiency with transparent recognition of distributive consequences
The European Commission’s Digital Omnibus could increase risks, not growth
Changes floated to the EU AI and data protection framework jeopardise fundamental protection rights without enhancing European digital competitiveness
It is time for an independent European Digital Authority
The European Commission cannot simultaneously be both a political body and a credible regulatory watchdog
Efficiency and Distributive Goals in the EU Tech Regulatory Strategy
How much research talent could Europe grab from the US?
Up to a fifth of researchers in top US universities have previously studied in Europe; they might be persuaded to return
Talent grab: can the EU attract US scientists and innovators?
Ways for Europe to seize the moment and win over top-tier researchers
Letter: Europe’s Digital Markets Act is not an attack on Americans
Geopolitics and fines for breaches of the EU’s Digital Markets Act
It would make no sense for the European Commission to back down from DMA fines in the face of US pressure
How can the EU strengthen its merger control against the risks presented by Big Tech’s small firm acquisitions?
Reinforcing EU merger control against the risks of acquisitions by big tech
The burden of proving that a merger is not anti-competitive should be shifted onto gatekeepers
On tech regulation, the European Union should be bolder
The EU should stop apologising for its tech laws, promoting instead their stabilising and fair-competition aspects
Make AI boring again
How can AI education improve workers' experience?
All work
Policy Brief
11 June 2026
The right balance: how to fix European Union artificial intelligence regulation
EU AI regulation should trade lower ex-ante burden for robust ex-post monitoring, judicial review and liability to curb harms without stifling markets
First Glance
11 June 2026
To achieve tech sovereignty, Europe must not mimic its rivals
To cut its dependence on US and Chinese tech, Europe is copying their protectionism: raising costs, inviting retaliation and missing the real fix
First Glance
24 March 2026
Deregulating artificial intelligence will not boost EU tech markets
European plans to weaken AI users’ rights are unlikely to help achieve convergence in performance between the EU and US tech markets
Policy Brief
05 March 2026
The case for a European Union digital enforcement authority
The European Union's digital rulebook could be better enforced by delegating some of the European Commission's powers to an independent agency
Newsletter
02 March 2026
First Glance
19 February 2026
Europe’s artificial intelligence strategy should be built on European strengths
Europe can gain most from AI not through development but through sound regulation and adoption of the best the world has to offer
External publication
03 December 2025
Podcast
07 January 2026
AI, data and Europe’s quest to simplify
How can the EU adapt its rulebook to meet tomorrow's technology environment?
Event
20 January 2026
Bridging academia with markets: how Europe could monetise its intellectual capital
How can the relationship between research and technological innovation be strengthened?
Policy Brief
20 November 2025
Efficiency and distribution in the European Union’s digital deregulation push
A new framework shows how EU digital reforms must balance efficiency with transparent recognition of distributive consequences