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Building the AI Stack: Middle Power Governments Strategies and Approaches

Monday June 1, 2026 15:00 - 15:45 CEST FORUM (lower level)

Lecturer: PhD Jeb Bell
Speakers: Asuka Ishii, Isabelle Lois, Johann Krige
Moderator: Sarah Nicole

Theme: DIGITAL AND AI TRANSFORMATION

This session marks the official launch of the report, Building digital infrastructure ready for the AI era: Insights from 13 Middle Power governments. This research is a central pillar of the joint digital infrastructure initiative by the Global Solutions Initiative and the Project Liberty Institute, aimed at redefining how countries navigate the technological shifts of the next decades. Moving beyond high-level theory, we present a synthesis of perspectives from governments across four continents currently on the front lines of the AI transition. The discussion focuses on a critical paradigm shift: treating digital systems not just as technical utilities, but as a fundamental act of governance and national resilience. We will explore how coordinated action among like-minded partners can move the needle from fragmented national efforts toward shared frameworks and collective leverage in the AI era. By aligning modular building blocks and interoperable standards, this session aims to catalyze a community of practice dedicated to securing citizens agency and sovereignty before the architecture of the AI era is permanently set by other players. The window to shape that architecture in ways that reflect democratic values and shared sovereignty is narrowing. This session asks what coordinated action among middle powers can still achieve before it closes.

Lecturers

PhD Jeb Bell Lecturer

Project Liberty Institute

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Asuka Ishii Speaker

Director
PoliPoli Inc. / Digital Policy Researcher at Digital Agency of Japan

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Isabelle Lois Speaker

Senior Policy Advisor
OFCOM Switzerland

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Johann Krige Speaker

Special Adviser to the Minister
Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

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Sarah Nicole Moderator

Policy & Research Manager
Project Liberty Institute