ROUNDTABLE: Technology + DEMOCRACY

The need for a conscious and democratic approach to digitalisation and artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly apparent in times of digitally-driven conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

For this reason, the Swiss Democracy Foundation and AlgorithmWatch CH organised a Roundtable on digitalisation and democracy on 17 January 2024. The aim of the roundtable was to discuss the idea of a "Democracy + Technology" fund and to win potential sponsors. The fund aims to support projects and organisations working on how technology can contribute to strengthening our democracy. The involvement and networking of stakeholders from different sectors such as politics, public sector, private sector, research and civil society is crucial. This event should help to clarify the need for this fund.

Review of the event

The discussion highlighted the importance of sound research to understand the "black box" of an automated society and to shape digitalisation in a meaningful way. Artificial intelligence should serve the public good, not just the profit of a few. Another aspect of the discussion was the dependence on a few technology giants. The importance of reliable information and its role in the free formation of opinion was also discussed, as well as the need for transparency and a critical approach to technology. Reflections on the changing balance of power in a digitalised world and the challenges and opportunities it brings were another key point. Last but not least, the importance of education and motivation for education, especially for young people, was discussed.

Many thanks to all participants for their dedicated contributions.

We invite everyone to continue to actively participate in this important discussion and contribute to the development of the fund. The concept for the Technology + Democracy Fund can be found here (in german). We are looking forward to further discussions!

program

Venue: Käfigturm Bern, Marktgasse 67, 3011 Bern, 2nd Floor

Date: 17 January 2024

Time: 17:30 - 19:00 with

17:30 Welcome Remarks

Stefanie Bosshard, Managing Director Swiss Democracy Foundation

Followed by introductory statements by

Prof. Dr. iur. Nadja Braun Binder MBA, Professor of Public Law at the University of Basel
Dr. Angela Müller, Head of AlgorithmWatch CH
Matthias Spielkamp, President of AlgorithmWatch CH & Managing Director, Co-Founder and Partner of AlgorithmWatch gGmbH
Adrian Schmid, President of the Board, Swiss Democracy Foundation

Replication of the introductory statements by

Dr. Adrian Lobsiger, Eidgenössischer Datenschutz- und Öffentlichkeitsbeauftragter
- Aus Sicht des Datenschutzes
Gerhard Andrey, IT Unternehmer und Nationalrat
- Aus Sicht von Bundesbern

18:10 Q & A

18:50 Conclusion