
Sébastien Ziegler
Sébastien Ziegler serves as Chair of the Privacy Symposium. He also serves as President of the IoT Forum, IoT Lab, and the Europrivacy International Board of Experts. As founder and Director General of Mandat International, he is actively supporting international cooperation. He also served as Rapporteur on Research and Emerging Technologies at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU/SG20), and he initiated and/or took part in over 30 international research projects largely related to data governance.
Sébastien has a PhD in Management with a specialization in Information Systems at the Faculty of Economy and Management of the University of Geneva. He graduated in International Relations at the Graduate Institute of International Studies, followed by a Master in Environment, a MBA in international administration (HEC Geneva), and complementary executive courses at Harvard Business School in Boston, Stanford University, UC Berkeley and EPFL. He is also a qualified expert in data protection accredited for Europrivacy, EuroPriSe and ISO 27001 certifications. Sébastien founded several foundations, SMEs, and organizations.
Sessions in which Sébastien Ziegler participates
Monday 12 May, 2025
The AI and Compliance track serves as a dynamic platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration on the evolving legal and regulatory landscape of AI, in addition to its increasing involvement in all aspects of our personal and professional lives. This opening session brings together distinguished Italian academics, officials of the region and the Director of the Privacy Symposium to set the stage for insightful discu...
This remarkable session brings together leading experts from Microsoft, the German Data Protection Authority, the European AI Agency, and the Italian State Secretary to discuss how organizations and governments can navigate AI risks while ensuring compliance. From balancing innovation with regulation to addressing ethical concerns, this discussion will provide critical insights into the future of AI governance.
Tuesday 13 May, 2025
The International Cooperation track serves as platform for exchanging ideas, building meaningful partnerships, and exploring innovative solutions beyond borders and across various disciplines. This session opens with an insightful discussion featuring an esteemed panel of high-level speakers and experts, such as the Secretary General of the Inter Parliamentary Union, Chairman of the GPA, members of the GDPD and EDPB, and European...
From GDPR to emerging AI regulations, organizations must navigate complex frameworks while ensuring seamless data flows across borders. This session will bring together experts to discuss practical strategies for overcoming regulatory conflicts, enabling responsible data practices, and fostering global cooperation. Key questions
Personal data defines identity. However, in a world where surveillance is invisible, data is power, and sharing is an everyday activity, does true privacy still exist? And if we lose it, do we also lose something essential about ourselves? This session will bring together experts to explore the philosophical and practical implications around the nature of privacy and what it truly means for our digital selves, fund...
Wednesday 14 May, 2025
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) stands as a foundational document that seeks to protect both our dignity and freedoms. But how does Article 30, which sets boundaries on rights, interact with the rights we hold dear in the digital age? In this session, the panel will present the complex relationship between freedom of expression, data protection, and the human rights framework, with a focus on Article 30 of the UDHR and the Eleano...
Thursday 15 May, 2025
Deep dive into the practical sides of data protection certification, exploring how it can be a true motivation for operational efficiency. From the challenges that organizations face when pursuing certification to the real-world impact on data security, professionals of the industry will discuss how certification can move beyond compliance and become a strategic asset. Whether you’re looking to get certified or you’re curious about what goes behi...
Distinguished speakers will come together in this session to explore how data protection standards can be harmonized across regions, as the need for convergence and interoperability is more urgent than ever. They will dive into the obstacles and opportunities of creating a truly interconnected certification landscape. ...