Our lives, our data, our exchanges are becoming increasingly virtualized. However, this digitization of our economies and activities raises major issues related to digital sovereignty. While digital tools offer an apparent fluidity and facilitate our daily interactions, they also pose fundamental questions: who really controls the infrastructure behind these services? Where is our data stored? And to what extent can we claim control over our information when it is hosted on private servers, often located outside our borders?
In this conference, Marc Oehler, CEO of Infomaniak, reflected on his personal journey, closely tied to the evolution of the web. From the promise of a free internet to the reality of centralization, he highlighted the challenges of a world where the virtual cannot be independent from the real, as it is controlled by privately dominated infrastructures. Following this presentation, the audience was invited to question their relationship with the web, data storage, and digital technology in general during a roundtable discussion with various selected experts.
This event provided an opportunity to collectively reflect on the impact of this centralization on our digital sovereignty and how we, as users and citizens, can regain control. What does digital sovereignty really mean in a world where servers are out of reach? What alternatives and solutions can be envisioned?
The sustainable IT day is jointly organised by the University of Geneva, the Canton of Geneva, HES-SO universities, and the Tech Hub, Geneva Graduate Institute. Open to the public, this conference brought together experts from academia, entrepreneurship, and civil society:
Grégoire Barbey
A journalist at Le Temps focusing on cyber issues, Grégoire Barbey is passionate about political and technological questions, which he approaches from the perspective of their effects on society. Co-author of the book "Notre si précieuse intégrité numérique" published in 2021, his work reflects a strong interest in data protection issues and the associated regulations.
Benjamin Décosterd
Author, columnist, and comedian, Benjamin Décosterd entered the world of comedy through his blog. With a critical take on current events, he caught the attention of Thomas Wiesel, who hired him as a writer for his show "Mauvaise langue,"broadcast on RTS2. He also became one of the recurring comedians on Les Beaux Parleurs and, since 2023, he has been a regular columnist on the morning show Couleur 3. After many years of writing columns, he is taking the stage in 2024 with his first solo show.
Cédric Durand
Associate professor in the Department of History, Economics, and Society at the University of Geneva, Cédric Durand’s research focuses on the transformation of capitalism into technofeudalism, where a few large monopolistic companies use data to control social activity and extract rent. He is also the co-author of the article "Sovereignty and Digital: A Multidisciplinary Study for Switzerland" published in 2023, and recently co-published the book How to Transition: The Principles of Ecological Planning.
Marc Oehler
With over 20 years of experience at Infomaniak, Marc Oehler is an expert in web and cloud hosting. Appointed CEO of Infomaniak, he advocates for ethical alternatives to Big Tech (GAFA), aiming to maintain the independence of Swiss digital solutions in pursuit of digital sovereignty.
Lennig Pedron
Awarded "European Cyber Woman 2023," Lennig Pedron is a prominent figure in the European tech scene. She works for the EPFL Innovation Park Foundation and is the executive director of the Swiss initiative Trust Valley, a center of excellence in digital trust and cybersecurity in the Lake Geneva region. She is the co-founder and president of the NGO iCON, representing an international community of over 100 digital trust experts. Lennig Pedron is also the co-author of the book "The Fundamentals of Cyber Crisis Management," published in June 2022.
Delphine Seitiée
Delphine Seitiée advocates for digital innovation in Switzerland. In 2015, she co-founded an international association dedicated to the development of immersive technologies in Switzerland. In 2018, she joined AlpICT and became its general secretary in 2020. She focuses on analyzing the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation and promotes synergy between entrepreneurs, academia, cultural and political circles in the digital innovation process. She is also involved in various collaborative projects such as the Think Tank Manufacture Thinking, the Swiss Institute for Responsible Digital, and the national network Virtual Switzerland."