The Dual Challenge of Sovereignty (Mistral)

Here’s the thing: sovereignty isn’t just a buzzword anymore. It’s a reality we’re all grappling with—whether it’s the sovereignty of data, AI, or the tacit knowledge that defines how your business actually works. And in 2026, this conversation is going to get a lot louder.

The question isn’t just about protecting data. It’s about preserving the unique human essence that drives your business forward. Are you ready to experiment? Are you ready to capture what makes your business truly unique?

Data Sovereignty: More Than Just Compliance

We’ve all heard the stories. A company’s data is stored in a cloud server halfway across the world, and suddenly, geopolitical tensions flare up. The US government demands access to your data, or worse, threatens to cut off your access entirely. What do you do?

This isn’t hypothetical. It’s happening now. In Europe, the push for digital sovereignty has become a strategic imperative. As Rahiel Nasir, Research Director at IDC, puts it:

"Europe’s vision for digital sovereignty is not about isolation — it’s about balance. The goal is to level the playing field, reduce dependency, and ensure that the continent can compete globally while retaining control locally."

The rise of sovereign data centres in Europe isn’t just a technical solution—it’s a shield against external threats. It’s about protecting your business from geopolitical risks and ensuring that your data stays safe, no matter what happens.

Tacit Knowledge Sovereignty: The Secret Sauce of Your Business

But here’s where it gets really interesting. Sovereignty isn’t just about data—it’s about the tacit knowledge that makes your business unique.

Think about it. A lot of the value within your business comes from the soft skills, the culture, and the way your team executes. That’s tacit knowledge. It’s not written down in a process manual. It’s in people’s heads. It’s the way your team executes, the relationships you’ve built, and the unspoken rules that make your business work.

And if we’re all using the same tools, the same AI, the same processes, what’s left to differentiate you? Profit margin? That’s not a strategy—that’s a race to the bottom.

So, what is it? Is it culture? Execution? Discipline? Maybe. But whatever it is, it’s not something you can easily replicate or steal. And that’s the point.

The Human Element in a Digital World

AI is everywhere, but it’s only as good as the knowledge it’s built on. As Lynda Braksiek, Principal Research Lead for Knowledge Management at APQC, explains:

"The real driver of success isn’t simply having information but being able to turn that information into actionable knowledge. When organizations take advantage of their collective intelligence, they make better and faster decisions, reduce risk, and deliver measurable business value."

The challenge? Tacit knowledge is elusive. It lives in people’s heads, not in databases. And when employees leave, that knowledge walks out the door with them.

How do we capture it? How do we store it? How do we keep it safe?

These aren’t easy questions. But in 2026, the businesses that succeed will be the ones willing to experiment, fail, and learn.

Extracting, Storing, and Securing Tacit Knowledge

Actionable Strategies for 2026

1. AI-Driven Knowledge Extraction
   AI can help extract tacit knowledge, but it’s not a silver bullet. You need structured, high-quality knowledge assets to train your AI systems. Break down silos, set clear content quality standards, and make sure knowledge is easy to find and use.

2. Mentorship and Apprenticeship Programs
   Tacit knowledge is best transferred through human interaction. Mentorship and apprenticeship programs can help capture and preserve critical expertise before it walks out the door.

3. Secure Knowledge Repositories
   Store tacit knowledge in secure, accessible repositories. Use AI to surface insights and summarize discussions, but don’t forget the human element. Trust, engagement, and collaboration can’t be automated.

4. Proactive Knowledge Mapping
   Identify and map critical knowledge before it’s lost. Upskill your workforce for AI fluency and introduce new roles like Knowledge Curator and AI Knowledge Ethicist to ensure ethical and responsible use of AI in knowledge management.

The Road Ahead: Experimentation and Iteration

2026 will be about experimentation. Build small, learn fast. Test ideas, iterate, and measure.

The question isn’t just about protecting data—it’s about preserving the unique human essence that drives your business forward. So, what’s your next step?

Are you ready to experiment? Are you ready to capture what makes your business truly unique?

Because in 2026, that’s what’s going to set you apart.

Sources

1. Digital Sovereignty in Europe in 2025: What’s “Plan B”?

   • Link
   • Trust rating: High
   • Reason: Provides a detailed analysis of Europe's digital sovereignty challenges and solutions, directly addressing geopolitical risks and the need for secure, autonomous data infrastructure.
   • Publication date: 27/08/2025

2. 2026 Knowledge Management Predictions

   • Link
   • Trust rating: High
   • Reason: Provides a forward-looking perspective on knowledge management, particularly the challenges and opportunities of capturing and leveraging tacit knowledge in the age of AI.
   • Publication date: 03/12/2025

3. Top Knowledge Management Trends for 2026

   • Link
   • Trust rating: Medium
   • Reason: Highlights the importance of capturing tacit knowledge and the role of AI in knowledge management, making it relevant to the themes of data protection and business differentiation in 2026.
   • Publication date: 2026 (exact date not specified)