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 connection with 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 a review model in its publications on digital sovereignty. According to this model, the state is responsible if digital processes have an impact on Swiss territory and Switzerland as a state is institutionally affected. What goes beyond this is a matter for the individual day-to-day organization of companies and official bodies.
Almost at the same time as the Swiss Data Alliance , Matthias Stürmer from Bern University of Applied Sciences also published a study on digital sovereignty ("Technological perspective on digital sovereignty"). In it, he shows how authorities in Switzerland could use open source software, open data and open source AI to reduce their dependence on foreign companies and states.
According to the Swiss Data Alliance 's audit model, the measures proposed by the Bern University of Applied Sciences fall within the scope of everyday organization and are therefore the responsibility of individual companies or official bodies. This raises a key question: who must take action?
In the panel discussion, the speakers will 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 in all of this: In which direction should digitalization in Switzerland develop so that we achieve clarity and freedom of action? Where is our digital North Star?
Matthias Stürmer heads the "Public Sector Transformation" institute at 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 Aperitif