Tech ambassador stops in two weeks - unclear if post will be refilled

Denmark's tech ambassador, Anne Marie Engtoft Meldgaard, is set to conclude her six-year tenure in two weeks, with the future of the position uncertain. Her contract with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ending, and the ministry has not yet decided whether to appoint a successor.

Meldgaard, who was based in Silicon Valley before moving to Copenhagen in 2023 as part of a new strategy, has been instrumental in fostering dialogue with tech giants to ensure their societal responsibility and fair operations. Denmark was the first country to establish a tech ambassador role in 2017.

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But it will be too narrow to focus on the fusion of tech and politics in the USA. It is a global phenomenon.

Her departure marks the end of a significant period in Denmark's technological diplomacy. During her time, Meldgaard navigated complex geopolitical landscapes, including the two U.S. elections and the war in Ukraine, which she identified as a pivotal technological development. She emphasized that the intersection of technology and politics is a global phenomenon, not confined to the United States.

Following her ambassadorship, Meldgaard will take on the role of commercial director at Sparrow Quantum, a company specializing in quantum computing hardware, starting August 1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' strategy for technological diplomacy highlights Denmark's leadership, alongside Australia, in a global network for cyber and tech ambassadors.

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The war in Ukraine, which began in 2022, is in my opinion one of the biggest technological developments. It is the first war that has unfolded as we thought the future would look like.