- May 05, 2026
- ; 10:45
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- May 05, 2026
- ; 13:00
What does digital sovereignty in practice actually mean, and how does it change the conversation around building resilience? This question stood at the center of a discussion hosted by Microsoft Germany in cooperation with the Aspen Institute Germany on May 5, 2026, featuring Lisa Monaco, President of Microsoft Global Affairs, and John Reyels, Director for Digitalisation, Cyberdefence and Digital and Data Policy at the German Federal Foreign Office.
The conversation examined digital sovereignty not as a purely technological question, but as a strategic policy challenge at the intersection of security, resilience, economic competitiveness, and democratic governance. Against the backdrop of geopolitical fragmentation, growing cyber threats, and intensifying technological competition, the speakers discussed how Europe and the United States could strengthen their resilience at a time when geopolitical tensions are at an all-time high.
Key takeaways included the need to manage dependencies without creating unnecessary fragmentation, to balance security-driven policies with economic growth, and to avoid duplicative approaches across the Atlantic. The discussion also highlighted the importance of trusted public-private cooperation, coordinated risk management, and harmonized regulations on issues such as AI governance and cybersecurity.
Overall, the event underscored that digital sovereignty will remain a central policy issue for both Europe and the United States – one that requires practical cooperation, clear priorities, and resilient yet open digital ecosystems.
