Transatlantic Digital Debates (TDD)
Both sides of the Atlantic face similar challenges as they deal with the impact of increasing digitization: the rapid transformation of the global economy through the integration of artificial intelligence, automation and digital commerce; increasing influence operations of authoritarian countries to steer global internet, technology and data governance policies; as well as the rise of online platform services and resulting concerns with respect to data protection, disinformation, targeted digital advertising, and corporate power.
For the next generation of leaders from both sides of the Atlantic, it remains crucial to develop an understanding of commonalities and differences on these issues, discover new viewpoints, explore shared approaches, and develop a compelling democratic vision for our increasingly digitalized future. This fellowship program aimed to foster ongoing dialogue in service of a lasting transatlantic partnership.
The Transatlantic Digital Debates Fellowship Program
The Transatlantic Digital Debates fellowship program ran for five rounds between 2016 and 2022. Each round brought together 18 German and American young professionals from government, business, civil society, academia, and the media to engage in problem-oriented dialogue on key issues related to, for example, online platform regulation, data protection, disinformation, targeted digital advertising, antitrust concerns, data governance, innovation policy, and more.
Through workshops and conversations with leading decision-makers and experts from various sectors, the fellows engaged in open and provocative discussions on the best approaches to shaping our rapidly changing digital societies and economies.
Above all, the program sought to build trust among participants and establish a long-term network of individuals committed to shaping the future of digitalization. To this end, the project team aimed to create a strong alumni community and facilitate engagement not only within, but also between cohorts. The project team also supported individual fellows and small groups of fellows in writing op-eds and blog posts on the issues discussed. Their writing and podcasts were shared through social media and external news outlets.
Organizer and Funders
The Transatlantic Digital Debates were organized by the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi) in Berlin with guidance from a diverse steering committee of experts from a range of stakeholder groups. The program was generously supported by the Transatlantic Program of the German Federal Government, with funding from the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
