Tech diplomacy practice in the San Francisco Bay Area
Tech diplomacy practice in the San Francisco Bay Area
Date
2023
Authors
Ittelson, Pavlina
Rauchbauer, Martin
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
DiploFoundation
Abstract
This report focuses on tech diplomacy as part
of digital diplomacy, the role of the Bay Area,
and the ways in which countries engage in the
practice of tech diplomacy in the Bay Area.
The report also maps a selection of local
diplomatic representations to illustrate the
variety of approaches by different countries, and
additionally identifies the main challenges and
benefits for both diplomatic representations
and tech companies in pursuing the practice of
tech diplomacy.
The main premises of the report are that
exchanges between diplomatic representations
and tech companies in the Bay Area contribute
to detecting emerging issues on the diplomatic
agenda, as well as open policy dialogue between
stakeholders, and allow for informed decision making for both governments and tech
companies. Understanding what is happening
on the ground is therefore essential, especially
for countries that are exploring the possibility
of establishing a dedicated tech diplomacy
practice.
Description
What happens in the San Francisco Bay Area
(Bay Area) profoundly impacts the world, both
the digital and real.
Since 2018, when Diplo’s first report on
the interactions between governments and tech
companies in Silicon Valley was released, this
rings even more true. Whether talking about
shifting work and meetings online, geopolitical
tensions, supply chain crisis, or the rise of
artificial intelligence (AI), tech companies in the
Bay Area have an outsized global impact. Issues
regarding security, disinformation, democracy
and human rights protections, and the future
development of individual countries, are all
impacted by the practices of tech companies in
the Bay Area.
Countries are increasingly focused on
addressing the digital aspects of foreign policy.
The latest developments show a rise in digital
issues on the policy agenda (both on national
and international levels), the creation of new
posts of digital and tech diplomats, as well
as the adoption of new policies guiding these
efforts.
The digital aspects of foreign policy have
matured, and conversations between diplomats
and tech companies in the Bay Area have
moved from economic and innovation issues
to democracy, human rights online, security,
fintech, the environment, and much more.