PolicyMakers

As technology develops ever faster, it’s becoming increasingly important that public policy keeps up. Effective regulations and policies are needed to ensure that technological revolutions – such as AI and quantum computing – don’t exacerbate inequality and drive society into dystopia.

PolicyMakers gathers experts to figure out how to thread this needle.

Ausrine Armonaite, Minister of the Economy and Innovation, Republic of Lithuania
Ausrine Armonaite
Minister of the Economy and Innovation
Republic of Lithuania

What's happening?

We’re exploring the future of public policy and innovation at PolicyMakers, with four curated content streams. That’s not all, either. Your ticket gives you access to all PolicyMakers sessions, as well as to roundtables, masterclasses and other 24 tracks at Web Summit.

Speaker Christiana Bukalo, Co-founder, Statefree, on the Future Societies Stage during day two of Web Summit 2022An illustration of two solid pyramids of colour stacked one on top of the other against a solid background.
Regulating AI

AI has the potential to be a powerful tool that improves the lives of many. But it also has the potential to cause untold damage if not used properly. Regulation can provide the guardrails necessary to ensure AI doesn’t bring economic ruin – but only if those regulations are constructed effectively.

How policy can promote innovation

It’s often claimed that government policy and regulation are a hindrance to innovation, but positive government proposals can help to support entrepreneurs, build thriving ecosystems, and promote the development of new technologies. Discover how policy can actually drive innovation.

Public policy for good?

The aim of public policy is to provide support for the people and to achieve a greater good. This isn’t an easy task and, often, governments get it wrong. Experts weigh in on how to turn a misdirected or poorly crafted policy around.

Regulating big tech

Big tech is dominated by the largest and most influential companies on the planet. Enacting policies and regulations that allow big tech companies to operate effectively, but that also ensure economic equity and fair competition, is crucial for the global economy. How can policymakers tread that fine line?

Meet our 2023 policy maker speakers

Jelena Begović
Jelena Begović
Minister of Science, Technological Development and InnovationGovernment of the Republic of Serbia
Levan Davitashvili
Levan Davitashvili
Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable DevelopmentGovernment of Georgia
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
Head & President-electUnited Transition Cabinet of Democratic Belarus
Robert Opp
Robert Opp
Chief Digital OfficerUNDP
Sally Costerton
Sally Costerton
CEO & Interim PresidentIcann
António Costa Silva
António Costa Silva
Minister of the Economy and Maritime AffairsGovernment of Portugal
Ramesh Srinivasan
Ramesh Srinivasan
Professor, AuthorUCLA
Manuela Kasper-Claridge
Manuela Kasper-Claridge
Editor-in-ChiefDeutsche Welle
Meredith Whittaker
Meredith Whittaker
PresidentSignal
Jolyon Rubinstein
Jolyon Rubinstein
Writer & ProducerJolly Griffin
Brittany Kaiser
Brittany Kaiser
FounderOwn Your Data
Iryna Volnytska
Iryna Volnytska
PresidentSET University

Companies that attend

united nations global compact logo
city of toronto logo
made of lisboa logo
black innovation alliance logo
european commission logo
obama foundation logo
Margrethe Vestager, EU Commissioner for Competition

“We might have new technology, but we do not have new values.”

Margrethe Vestager, EU Commissioner for Competition, European Commission

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal

“You make the difference, you change the world.”

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal

Centre Stage during the opening night o Web Summit 2022

“Anything we talk about, we can't loose sight technology is great, but it's about people.”

Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Canada

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