Cronos Europa proudly participated in the second edition of the Political Tech Summit in Berlin, which on 23–24 January 2026 brought together more than 900 participants and 200 speakers from across politics, tech, and civil society.
Over two days, the summit provided a thoughtful yet energising exploration of how democratic systems can build greater resilience in a fast-moving digital environment. Discussions covered disinformation, hybrid interference, and the evolving tactics used to manipulate public debate, alongside Europe’s growing efforts to counter them.
Cybersecurity featured prominently, with experts outlining practical steps that public administrations and political organisations can take to strengthen their defences. The role of political technology in elections and campaigning was examined with equal care, supported by reflections on the regulatory changes shaping Europe’s digital landscape.
A great deal of attention was devoted to artificial intelligence, a topic that generated both curiosity and cautious optimism. Speakers explored how AI is reshaping communication, governance, and participation, while also acknowledging the complexities and risks it introduces.
Deep dive sessions, masterclasses, and demonstrations offered participants the chance to engage directly with new approaches in data-driven analysis, online safety, youth engagement, narrative insight, community mobilisation, and emerging media formats.
There was a noticeable sense of purpose throughout the venue: a feeling that, while the challenges facing democracy are significant, there is much to be gained from bringing the right people together to address them.
During the summit, we tried to seize that spirit by recording a series of interviews with various speakers who generously shared their expertise. Their contributions offer a clear and accessible entry point into the themes that shaped the event, and this article introduces the series.
The first guest is Dr. Wieland Holfelder, VP of Engineering at Google, after his session: “Protecting our Future: Cybersecurity for Society, State and Public Administration.”
Dr. Wieland Holfelder oversees Google’s Engineering Centre in Munich, which also hosts the Google Safety Engineering Center. He leads Google’s engineering work on digital sovereignty in Europe, a role that places him at the centre of discussions on secure and responsible technology development. Before joining Google, he spent more than twelve years in Silicon Valley, including serving as Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Mercedes‑Benz Research and Technology North America.
Our interview series from Berlin offers a preview of the discussions and ideas that will continue to shape Europe’s political communication landscape this year — and we are pleased to share them.
