Signal International organizations invite firms to give policy advice and states appoint tech ambassadors

Summary

This signal shows institutions beginning to recognise the new power of large technology firms. International organisations are now inviting private corporations to offer policy recommendations to global leaders. At the same time, some states have appointed so-called tech ambassadors whose role is to deal with these companies directly. Both moves treat companies as quasi-diplomatic counterparts rather than simply as regulated businesses. The report presents them as evidence that the shift in power described in its first story of change is being acknowledged. Yet it also records growing questions about how such firms can be held accountable and brought into global governance.