Digital Sovereignty:
Panel discussion with Matthias Stürmer and Christian Laux
Wednesday, June 11, 16:30-18:00, Casino Bern (free admission)
Control is the central concept in the context of digital sovereignty. When are companies or public authorities themselves responsible for this control in the digital sphere – and in which situations does the state come into play?
The Swiss Data Alliance has proposed an audit model in its publications on digital sovereignty. According to this model, the state is responsible when digital processes have an impact on Swiss territory and Switzerland is institutionally affected as a state. Anything beyond that is a matter for the individual everyday arrangements of companies and agencies.
Almost simultaneously with the Swiss Data Alliance, Matthias Stürmer from the Bern University of Applied Sciences also published a study on digital sovereignty («Technological Perspective of Digital Sovereignty»). In it, he shows how authorities in Switzerland could reduce their dependence on foreign companies and states with Open Source Software, Open Data and Open Source AI.
According to the Swiss Data Alliance's audit model, the measures proposed by the Bern University of Applied Sciences fall within the area of everyday life and thus within the responsibility of individual companies or agencies. This raises a central question: Who has to act?
In the panel discussion, the speakers want to address the associated topics: Who is responsible for strengthening Switzerland's ability to act in the digital sphere? Why is it important to clarify this responsibility? What does this mean for the choice of technology? And with all this: In which direction should digitization in Switzerland develop so that we achieve clarity and freedom to act? Where is our digital North Star?
Matthias Stürmer heads the Institute «Public Sector Transformation» at the Bern University of Applied Sciences.
Marc Steiner (Moderator) is a judge at the Federal Administrative Court.
Christian Laux is a lawyer and Senior Partner at LLAG and Vice President of the Swiss Data Alliance.
The panel discussion will take place on Wednesday, June 11 at the Casino Bern. All interested parties are cordially invited. The event is free of charge.
16:30 Welcome and Panel Discussion
17:30 Questions from the audience
18:00 Apéro