Techplomacy

Techplomacy delves into the power and influence the world's largest tech giants exert on democracies, and the efforts to regulate their products and services for the benefit of global society. The film examines the seemingly unstoppable forces of social media and artificial intelligence, which are developing faster than governments' ability to keep up, consequently reshaping those very governments in the process.

Private tech companies have sole ownership of critical digital social infrastructure, built on systems designed to exploit and capitalize on our psychological vulnerabilities. At just 33-years-old, Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard has been appointed Denmark's tech ambassador, the first such position in the world, with a mandate to ensure that said infrastructure is safe for users and societies. Taking on the world's most powerful tech companies from the offices of Silicon Valley to the meeting rooms of the UN, Meldgaard pushes for accountability and fundamental changes to the algorithms these platforms use to generate revenue, which do so at the expense of mental well-being and social cohesion. In pursuing her vision for an open and free internet that respects human rights, Meldgaard must navigate a minefield of public and private interests as she must engage and develop working relationships with the very entities she hopes to reign in. 

From her new base in Silicon Valley, Meldgaard works with single-minded determination to make sure that the shared values that have historically characterized open democratic societies are supported, rather than threatened, by developing technologies. Initially, her focus is on social media, where children spend hours every day in a space where existing laws do not apply. As her work continues and the first-of-its-kind Digital Services Act (DSA) is implemented by the European Union, artificial intelligence leap-frogs this new regulatory framework, and she embarks against an ascendant new industry powered by unprecedented capital investment. But without strong and implementable repercussions, and as a new U.S. administration works in tandem with tech companies to skirt and eliminate regulations, all of her progress is at risk of being wiped out. 

Techplomacy highlights the need to uphold and safeguard democracy and establish digital human rights during this accelerated era of technological dominance. The film illuminates the tireless, often behind-the-scenes work required to create a framework for a digital future that works for every citizen.

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FILMMAKERS' STATEMENT: "I first became involved in this story while living in Silicon Valley. I'm not a 'techie', so what drew me to it were the bigger questions: what happens to democracy when parts of our shared infrastructure are controlled by a handful of companies? How does this shape both our online lives and the societies we live in offline? 

Denmark opened a tech embassy in Silicon Valley to build diplomatic relations with the tech industry. It raises questions about modern diplomacy and about the changing balance of power between states and global technology companies."

"On my very first day as Tech Ambassador in October 2020 a film crew followed me as I flew from Copehagen to take up my position in Silicon Valley. The film documents the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark's work for upholding democracy in the digital age and navigating the new frontier of diplomacy in an era of technology. It recognizes the challenges all governments face in wrestling the immense change coming from tech, while insisting on a constructive yet critical engagement with the industry leading all this. And it shows the daily work of diplomacy— dialogue even when difficult, late night negotiations on the global governance structure of the future, innovating new collaborations, strengthening partnerships with countries globally and proudly represent Danish interests globally.

For me personally, it is a film about five wonderful years in my life. About an incredible team and colleagues all around the world pushing this new diplomatic frontier."