Overview

• Speaking at the Sifted Summit on Oct. 8, OpenAI’s EMEA startups head Laura Modiano said American founders are “almost shameless” in making requests and giving feedback.
• She warned European founders that silence limits influence, adding “If founders don’t tell us, we don’t always know.”
• Modiano pointed to Swedish startup Lovable, which participated in GPT-5’s alpha and supplied intensive input that she said influenced the model.
• She also cited Sweden’s Sana, whose requests for voice, tone and speed capabilities led OpenAI to prioritize those features on its roadmap.
• Modiano urged AI startups to name a “chief feedback officer,” noting her remarks revive debate about cultural differences between U.S. and European founders without signaling any new OpenAI program.