Following the Political Tech Summit 2026 in Berlin, the Political Tech Talks series continues with a conversation featuring Betty Nemecek from the European Committee of the Regions.
The Summit took place on 23–24 January 2026 in Berlin, bringing together more than 900 participants and 200 speakers from across politics, technology, and civil society. The discussions focused on how digital developments are shaping democratic systems, from cybersecurity and disinformation to the growing role of artificial intelligence in public governance.
These themes have only grown in relevance as Europe’s digital and political landscape continues to evolve. As part of our presence in Berlin, we recorded a series of interviews with speakers to capture their perspectives and make key insights more accessible.
In this conversation, we speak with Betty Nemecek from the European Committee of the Regions.
Betty reflects on the evolving relationship between technology and politics, and how digital communication is reshaping democratic interaction within the European Union.
She highlights that technology and society have always been closely intertwined and that politics is no exception. What has changed is mainly the speed at which information moves today. In the digital space, it spreads instantly across platforms, shaping how it is seen and understood.
This also affects the relationship between citizens and political institutions. Communication is no longer strictly top-down: citizens can reach political representatives directly, just as policymakers can speak to the public in real time through digital channels. Messages can now be recorded and shared globally within seconds, which changes expectations around transparency and responsiveness.
At the same time, she underlines the importance of recognising the dual nature of this shift. While digital tools make communication more immediate and accessible, they also require greater attention to how information is interpreted and put into context.
Our interview series from Berlin offers a preview of the discussions that continue to shape Europe’s political communication landscape this year — and we are pleased to share them.
