6 July 2026
Due to the critical role of microchips in the development of the AI ecosystem, they are increasingly becoming tools of geopolitical influence and use of power. This edition of Data Talks examined the current status quo of the global microchip economy, its vulnerabilities, changing power dynamics, and the most recent policies at the EU level. Across these perspectives one common theme emerged: microchip supply chains are not only economic systems, but also strategic infrastructures shaping geopolitical leverage, economic resilience, and security.
Announcement: 6 July 2026, 3PM - 4PM CEST
Microchips are foundational hardware underpinning 21st-century economies. Due to their important role in the development of the AI ecosystem, they are increasingly relevant as the backbone of digitalized economies. This edition of Data Talks examines the vulnerabilities to the microchip supply chain, the evolution of microchips as a strategic power asset, and the changing power dynamics in the global economy of microchips. It aims at uncovering pathways for greater leverage, fairness, and multilateral cooperation in the global microchip economy, while maintaining the basic principles of industrial production logic.
2 July 2026
A key part of our work is capacity building and fostering exchange across governments, international organizations, academia, civil society, and the tech sector on how technology is reshaping global governance. Therefore, we are continuing these discussions at the 2026 Tech Diplomacy Global Forum in Paris, as well as at a workshop at the Permanent Representation of Germany to the OECD in Paris with participation of Austrian colleagues.
15 June 2026
Last week, we joined the Creative Bureaucracy Festival to showcase how data-driven innovation is advancing public sector modernization in Germany. Together with our colleagues from the Federal Foreign Office and Bundesdruckerei we had the opportunity to present our work, exchange ideas with practitioners from administration, politics, and civil society, and discuss the future of data and AI in government.
11 June 2026
During our business trip to Accra, we explored how AI and data-driven innovation can support digital public sector transformation and contribute to sustainable digital development. The visit also support preparations for the German-African Business Summit (GABS 2026) and helped deepening strategic partnerships across the region. Together with local and international partners, we identified opportunities for collaboration, sharered lessons learned, and strengthen networks that support responsible and democratic approaches to technology.
14 April 2026
While Europe continues to lead in innovation across AI, deep tech, and defense technologies, turning these advances into industrial capacity and sustained value creation remains a key challenge. Fragmented markets, regulatory complexity, and barriers to cross-border scaling continue to shape Europe’s technological trajectory. In this context, investment plays a decisive role - not only in financing innovation, but in shaping which technologies scale, who builds them, and how Europe strengthens its Digital Single Market and long-term strategic autonomy. Subsequently, this edition of Data Talks focused on a central question for Europe’s digital future: how innovation translates into scalable technological capacity and long-term strategic resilience.
26 March 2026
This session of the European Digital Diplomacy Network was co-organized by the British Embassy in Berlin, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark in Berlin and the Embassy of Poland in Berlin. It brought together diplomats working on digital and tech affairs, private sector representatives, and civil society. The event focused on insights and the findings of the 2026 AI Safety Report, including a briefing by the report's lead writer, Dr. Carina Prunkl. The subsequent panel discussion addressed AI capabilities, associated risks, and possible mitigation strategies.
16 - 20 February 2026
28 January 2026
From 16 to 20 February 2026, Sebastian Blum, Program Manager, and Gunda Ehmke, Project Lead of the Data Innovation Lab will attend the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, India. The Data Innovation Lab will co-host three interesting sessions spanning from AI as a topic and a tool of foreign policy, over open-source AI negotiation tools, to futures literacy in international digital policy and foreign policy. We look forward to hearing perspectives from both the German and the Indian ecosystems. Click left for more details on the respective sessions.
We are happy to share that the recording of the first edition of Data Talks in 2026 is online. The session explored the key vulnerabilities of the submarine cable network and its role for the Digital Sovereignty for states in Europe and in other regions. It examined the role of ownership structures of the submarine cable network and helped raising awareness for the importance of strengthening the resilience of this critical part of today’s infrastructure through multilateralism and effective multi-stakeholder approaches.
Announcement: 26 January, 3:00 - 4:00 PM CET
Submarine cables can arguably be considered the invisible backbone of the internet, carrying over 95% of all international data traffic. Yet, these critical infrastructures remain insufficiently protected. Subsequently, this edition of Data Talks aims at discussing the role of the submarine cable network for the Digital Sovereignty of Europe and other regions. Besides providing an overview of the vulnerabilities and the most pressing threats to submarine cables, it will examine the role of ownership structures of the submarine cable network. It will further help to raise awareness for the importance of strengthening the resilience of this critical part of today’s infrastructure.
10 - 11 December 2025
From 10 to 11 December 2025, the Data Innovation Lab's project Lead, Gunda Ehmke, and the Program Manager, Sebastian Blum, took an active part at the RightsX Summit, organized by UN Human Rights Innovation & Analytics Hub in Geneva. At the Summit, the Data Innovation Lab organized an interactive ideation workshop on "How to leverage AI and Tech Tools for peace-keeping missions?". Together with a diverse group of participants, we explored how technology, data, foresight and collaboration can strengthen Human Rights in the digital age.
12 November 2025
Data and AI are core drivers of government modernisation nationally and internationally. The event "Demoday Data Labs: Data and AI as Drivers of Government Modernization - National and International", was hosted by the Data Innovation Lab and held at the Deutscher Bundestag. It highlighted how the German Federal Government's Data Labs contribute to more evidence based, efficient, and future-ready public decision-making. The discussion also demonstrated how the labs enable practical, scalable innovation within government, while also positioning Germany as an international contributor to data-driven public policy.
3 November 2025
We are happy to share that the recording of the November edition of Data Talks is online. The session explored how Brazil and Germany joined forces to advance climate justice and digital innovation in the lead-up to UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The speakers demonstrated how AI and digital public infrastructure can foster fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in international climate negotiations and beyond. Several open-source based tools were showcased, such as NegotiateCOP, Maloca, Macaozinho, Uirapuru and NegotiateAI.
Announcement: 3 November 2025, 3PM - 4PM CET | 11:00AM - 12:00AM BRT
As we move toward COP 30 in Belém, this session will showcase how Brazil and Germany are joining forces to promote fairness, transparency, and accessibility in international climate negotiations through digital innovations. Together, both countries are demonstrating how technology can level the playing field in global diplomacy: from Brazil’s digital toolbox for COP30 to Germany’s open-source AI tools for negotiation support, like NegotiateCOP, which aim to help delegations access, summarize, and visualize negotiations efficiently.
16 October 2025
We are happy to share that the recording of our latest edition of Data Talks is online. It explored the capabilities and implications of AI agents in foreign policy, helping practitioners understand where these systems are being used, how they might be trained or constrained, and whether certain diplomatic functions should remain strictly human. Should AI agents be welcomed into the foreign policy toolbox - or should some doors stay firmly closed?
Announcement: 16 October 2025, 4PM - 5PM CEST
This edition of Data Talks will explore the capabilities and implications of AI agents in foreign policy, helping practitioners understand where these systems are being used, how they might be trained or constrained, and whether certain diplomatic functions should remain strictly human. Should AI agents be welcomed into the foreign policy toolbox - or should some doors stay firmly closed? Join us as we examine this new frontier.
26 September 2025
On 24 September 2025, Gunda Ehmke, Project Lead at the Data Innovation Lab had the chance to present the work of the Data Innovation Lab at iTalks on Government Innovation, a format by the European Commission's Digital Innovation Lab. Gunda Ehmke deep-dived into how data-driven approaches and tech innovation can reshape diplomacy. We are happy to share the highlights on LinkedIn.
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14 August 2025
Foreign Policy x AI:
A week full of dialogue and innovation in Chile
Seeking to continue the global dialogue on the role of Al and diplomacy, we are excited to share a glimpse of what's coming up with our colleagues in Santiago, Chile! Building on our previous exchanges, Data Innovation Lab will bring together diplomats, policymakers, academics, Al experts, and civil society actors to continue exploring this pressing and fascinating topics. From engaging lectures and interactive workshops to high-level conversations, this week promises inspiring ideas, critical reflections, and meaningful connections.
29 July 2025
We are happy to announce that the recording of our most recent Data Talk on "Europe's Quest for Digital Sovereignty: Where We Stand and What Lies Ahead" has been published on our YouTube Channel. The aim of this Data Talk was to provide a platform for critical reflection and exchange on Europe’s current digital landscape and digital sovereignty from a practitioner's point of view.
Insight
In our insight, you'll regularly find short reports and announcements about our latest activities and publications.