Tech Diplomacy

How do Big Tech companies influence geopolitics, providing governmental services and invest in future leaning infrastructure? How can we protect our next generations and children from the downsides of technology? Why do we need to slow down the development of AI? How has Tech Diplomacy emerged in the Bay area over the last 7 years? Why do nations need Tech ambassadors?

Together with Alexis Wichowski, author and professor, we answer these questions and discuss how big tech companies have become geopolitical actors and how we can ensure safety AI.

Alexis Wichowski’s work and writing focuses on technology, government, and power, with almost two decades in public service and a decade teaching in applied technologies at Columbia University. Alexis has served in US State Department and US Mission to the United Nations, and as Deputy Chief Technology Officer in the City of New York.

She’s currently writing a follow-up book to The Information Trade, which was published in 2020 (HarperCollins). Prior work also includes disaster relief, literary translation, media impact research, indexing, web coding, theater production, foreign sitcoms, and pretzel vending. Wichowski holds a PhD in Information Science from SUNY Albany and a BA in Chinese from Connecticut College.

Will the calls to pause the development of AI solve the challenges? Is more global governance and regulations the answer to the rapid development of generative AI? What are the implications of the Silicon Valley Bank collapse? 

Together with Gerard de Graaf, EU's Senior Envoy for Digital to the U.S, we discuss these matters and the importance of the role of the governments to protect our society from the downsides of technology. In this second episode we discuss the latest news from Silicon Valley. 

Gerard de Graaf is EU's Senior Envoy for Digital to the U.S. His last job, before coming over to represent the European Union on the US West Coast, was in DG CNECT where he led the work on platform regulation. Gerard de Graaf has also been Trade Counsellor at the EU Delegation to the US in Washington DC.

How is Big Tech companies impacted by EU's new Digital Package? What is the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act in a nutshell? How is EU working on Tech Diplomacy in Silicon Valley?  

Together with Gerard de Graaf, EU's Senior Envoy for Digital to the U.S, we answer these questions and discuss the impact of the new Digital Package from EU and what will change for the Big Tech companies. In this first episode, we discuss how the tech industry is influencing our society and geopolitics and how EU and other countries are working on Tech Diplomacy in Silicon Valley. 

Gerard de Graaf is EU's Senior Envoy for Digital to the U.S. His last job, before coming over to represent the European Union on the US West Coast, was in DG CNECT where he led the work on platform regulation. Gerard de Graaf has also been Trade Counsellor at the EU Delegation to the US in Washington DC.

In this episode we are joined by Patricia Gruver-Barr, a Tech Diplomacy Fellow with the Pacific Council on International Policy to discuss her new report "Tech Companies as Power Brokers in the Digital Age". She leads the science diplomacy fellowship program for the National Science Policy Network, and has previously worked as a Science Attaché for the Quebec and UK governments. She has also served as the co-chair of the Science & Technology Diplomatic Circle of Boston for four years.

For more information please read the report:

The Pacific Council on International Policy: Tech Companies as Brokers in the Digital Age

In this episode, we explore the field of Cyber Diplomacy. How do we define it, and why is it important? Joined by cyber experts Anna-Maria Osula, Phd., digital governance fellow at Stanford University and Senior Researcher at Tallinn University of Technology, and Norwegian Deputy Consul General of Norway in San Francisco, Helge Marstrander, with an extensive cyber security background from the private sector. Join us to learn more about the work happening on a international, regional, and local level in the field of Cyber Diplomacy. The episode is hosted by Emma Blattmann, Senior Advisor for Technology, Innovation, and Science at the Norwegian Consulate in San Francisco. 

Our guest in this episode is VP of Technology Exploration at DnB, Ada Skarsholt Larsen. In this episode we explore how traditional banking systems are adapting to the fast moving world of technology. Listen in to hear how they integrate new technology, work with partners and government, and more specifically what they think about blockchain and cryptocurrency. Please join us for this 3rd episode of the Tech Diplomacy podcast!

In this episode you will hear from Martin Rauchbauer, Austria's Tech Ambassador in Silicon Valley, Co-Director of Open Austria and Austrian Consul in San Francisco. Martin was sent to San Francisco in 2016 in order to open and establish his country’s first innovation outpost in Silicon Valley. Martin’s office helps Austrian entrepreneurs, scientists, researchers, and creative minds to connect with the biggest innovation ecosystem in the world.

Please listen in to better understand what tech diplomacy is, how fast the concept is growing, and why it matters for foreign affairs.

Hosted by Emma Blattmann, Tech Diplomacy Advisor at the Norwegian Consulate General in San Francisco and Kylee Mebust, Deputy Director - Open Austria.

In this episode you will hear from Anni Hellman, EU Fellow at UC Berkeley and deputy Head of Unit at the European Commission. She is a mathematician and a qualified actuary and a Fellow of the Actuarial Association of Finland and holds degrees in mathematics, actuarial sciences and computer sciences.

Please listen in to get Anni's view on artificial intelligence in general and algorithms in particular as well as the disinformation challenge from a mathematical perspective.

Hosted by Gry Rabe Henriksen, Norwegian Consul General and Kylee Mebust, Deputy Director - Open Austria.