Under Sec. Hosts Digital NEXT, Announces Tech Partnership

Last week, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers convened 47 foreign technology policymakers and government representatives from 30 countries in San Francisco, California, for Digital NEXT: Protecting Digital Liberties in the AI Era.

The delegation engaged in tailored dialogues with leading American technology companies to observe how the U.S. private sector is proactively addressing digital freedom challenges and offering compelling alternatives to burdensome regulatory models that infringe on privacy and freedom of expression. During a capstone fireside chat hosted by the Silicon Valley Office of Protocol that included conversations with Elon Musk, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson, and Tim Hwang of the Foundation for American Innovation, Under Secretary Rogers underscored the importance of protecting children online in ways that do not unduly restrict freedom of speech or stifle innovation.

Under Secretary Rogers also launched the Freedom Tech Excellence Program (FTEP), a new partnership between the Department and leading technology companies, civil society organizations, and think tanks to advance U.S. digital freedom objectives globally. Through FTEP, private sector organizations will send experts for limited-term assignments to infuse their expertise into the Department's digital freedom work on critical issues including promoting online freedom of expression, privacy-enhancing technologies, responsible AI governance, and countering digital surveillance. FTEP gives participating organizations direct insight into how these policies impact their organizational interests and operations while helping the Department stay ahead of challenges that affect both American businesses and the rights of Americans online.

Under Secretary Rogers is pleased to announce FTEP's inaugural partners: Palantir Technologies, Anduril Industries, Bitcoin Policy Institute, and Victims of Communism Foundation, and looks forward to welcoming additional organizations into the partnership.