Colloquium: Katharina Frey
Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 12.15 - 13.15
Online, Zoom | Sign up here
Navigating the Digital Diplomacy Frontier: New paths in foreign policy
In an age where digital technology permeates every aspect of our lives, foreign policy has also entered the digital realm. This presentation seeks to explore the innovative field of Swiss digital foreign policy, a burgeoning sector that not only redefines international relations, but also introduces the nuanced interplay of technology, governance, and human rights. The talk will explore four distinct but interconnected pillars that shape this digital frontier: Digital Governance, Prosperity and Sustainable Development, Cybersecurity, and Digital Sovereignty.
We will examine how digital governance is adapting to meet the challenges and opportunities of the digital sphere. Special attention will be paid to current issues in AI governance, exploring the ethical and political implications of artificial intelligence in international diplomacy. With a focus on STEM applications, the discussion will extend to how technology can serve as a driver of prosperity and a tool for achieving sustainability goals, as exemplified by initiatives of actors form the International Geneva for instance. At a time when cyber threats are a growing concern, we will discuss collaborative approaches to cybersecurity. Finally, the conversation will touch on the protection of human rights in the digital space, a mission of particular relevance in a world where digital empowerment is increasingly paramount.
About Katharina Frey
Katharina Frey, an experienced Swiss diplomat, currently serving as Deputy Head of the Division for Digital Foreign Policy in the Swiss Foreign Ministry, a new division she helped to establish. At the forefront of digital diplomacy, Katharina directs major projects on Switzerland as a digital host state and in particular one on cybersecurity for the International Geneva. Most recently she initiated and co-leads together with ETH Zurich, an initiative that brings together academia, industry and diplomacy to jointly find concrete solutions to current challenges of AI. She possesses an academic backbone formed by Law degrees from the Universities of Zurich and Geneva, a Master's in Public Administration from the London School of Economics, and supplemental courses on novel technologies, including AI via Coursera. Starting her journey in the legal field with the District Court of Zurich, Katharina transitioned into diplomacy in 2007. Her storied career includes enriching tenures in Paris and at the UN Mission in Vienna. Beyond her diplomatic duties, Katharina has been instrumental in sculpting the Swiss diplomatic corps, overseeing recruitment and training. Her expertise is sought after, evidenced by her roles on recruitment boards for Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein and her mentorship to aspiring professional women from LSE.