April 2026 Fireside Chat
Event Summary
29 April 2026
Our April Fireside Chat focused on the upcoming Data for Policy 2026 Conference, hosted by Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona under the theme: Governance of/with AI: Implications for Data, Infrastructure, and Tech Sovereignty
The session brought together members of the Data for Policy community, including conference chairs, programme committee members, prospective contributors. The session was led by Dr Manuel Portela, Local Chair for Data for Policy 2026, with contributions from the Data for Policy General Chairs.
The discussion introduced the conference theme, provided an overview of the submission and review process, and explored emerging debates surrounding AI governance, digital infrastructure, and technological sovereignty. The session also underscored the conference’s role as a platform for interdisciplinary and cross-sector dialogue across academia, policy, industry, and practice.
Key Discussion Points
AI as an inflection point for data and policy
Speakers emphasised that AI is reshaping how societies think about data, governance, and public policy. The conference theme invites contributors to examine both the opportunities and challenges created by AI, including data extraction, sovereignty, interoperability, access controls, and changing institutional responsibilities.
Governance of / with AI
The discussion highlighted the importance of examining AI both as an object of governance and as a tool increasingly used within governance systems. Topics raised included AI infrastructure, data resilience, technology diplomacy, procurement, large-scale investment in data centres and computing capacity, and the implications of AI for public administration, law, and international cooperation.
Cross-disciplinary relevance
Contributors noted that AI governance is now a central concern across law, computer science, public policy, international relations, and infrastructure studies. The conference aims to bring together these perspectives through Data for Policy’s six established focus areas.
Global cooperation and resilience
Participants also raised the importance of collaboration between different governance systems, particularly in relation to resilience, security, democracy, cybersecurity, and the international dimensions of AI governance.
Call for Papers and Submissions
The call for submissions remains open until 1 June 2026.
The conference welcomes:
- Extended abstracts
- Full papers
- Panel proposals
- Contributions to the Special Track on Digital Statecraft
Full papers submitted by the deadline will enter the Data & Policy journal review process. Abstracts accepted for presentation may also be developed into full papers after the conference and submitted to the journal at a later stage.
For submission & guidelines: please visit this page.
Special Track: Digital Statecraft
The session also introduced the Data for Policy 2026 Special Track:
Digital Statecraft: From Principles to Practice
Convened by The Digital Statecraft Academy, the track will explore how governance structures can operate at algorithmic speed and scale, and what kinds of technical architectures are democratically legitimate, contestable, and accountable.
The track will include:
- Research papers
- Practitioner case analyses
- Contested propositions (live debate) formats
This track aims to bridge academic research and practical experience, creating a space where policymakers, practitioners, and researchers can jointly examine the evolving field of digital statecraft.
About the Venue
Data for Policy 2026 will take place at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, on the Poblenou campus, home to the Engineering and Communication departments. The campus offers a flexible setting for plenary sessions, panels, workshops, and smaller presentations, with good access to public transport, accommodation, and the wider city.
Looking Ahead
This recent Fireside Chat provided an important opportunity to clarify the ambitions of Data for Policy 2026 and to invite wider participation from the community. The discussion underlined that questions of AI governance, data infrastructure, and technological sovereignty are no longer specialist concerns; they are central to the future of public policy, institutional design, and democratic accountability.
We look forward to welcoming contributors and participants to Barcelona in September 2026 for a timely and wide-ranging conversation on the governance of and with AI.
About the Speakers:
DfP’26 Conference Leadership:
- Manuel Portela, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain
- Vladimir Estivill-Castro, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain
- Carlos (Chato) Castillo, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain
Data for Policy Conference General Chairs: