Today, Denmark and Australia launch a global network of cyber and tech ambassadors to ensure a responsible, democratic and secure technological future in cooperation with the tech industry.

Digital technologies are shaping the future of humanity. The pace of current technological change outstrips any in our history. Advances in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and high speed communications are transforming how we live, work, govern, and interact.

These technologies also expose us to new risks, particularly when they are used by authoritarian states to repress, to silence, and to disrupt the international rules-based order. We condemn Russia’s ongoing campaign of malicious cyber activity and disinformation in Ukraine and reiterate the importance of the international community upholding the rules-based order online, just as we do offline.

To ensure that technological development enables prosperity, security, democracy and human rights, Denmark and Australia now launches a global network of cyber and tech ambassadors from more than 20 countries.

The network recognises that success rests on partnership and collaboration between governments and the technology companies that design, develop and deploy the next generation of digital technologies.

The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne says:

“Addressing the challenges and opportunities of cyberspace and critical technologies requires trusted partnerships between countries and with industry. This global network of cyber and tech ambassadors shares the goal that technology be used to uphold and protect liberal democratic values to benefit our societies, economies and national security. We cannot allow these technologies to be co-opted by authoritarian states and undermine the international rules-based order.”

The Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeppe Kofod says:

“New technologies can be great tools for human progress. However, they also bring serious risks that we have to address. Cyberattacks, internet shutdowns and the spread of disinformation threatens our prosperity, freedom and security. In this global network of cyber and tech ambassadors, democratic governments come together to build our digital future on the values we believe in. Through cooperation with the tech industry, we will contain the autocratic forces that abuse technology and ensure that all of humankind reaps its benefits.”