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Web Summit Lisbon ・ November 9 - 12, 2026

Government Summit

The internet, once a platform for open exchange, faces a growing challenge: how can it remain a beacon of free expression in the face of authoritarian regimes?
Yulia Navalnaya, a powerful voice for democracy and human rights, reflected on the lessons learned by the Russian resistance movement.

Dictators and digital dissent

Ro Khanna (House of Representatives) and Brad Smith (President, Microsoft) explored the drive to ensure that tech genuinely does good.

Rebuilding trust in tech

David Simas (Obama Foundation), Deborah Archer (ACLU), and Federal Election Commissioner Ellen Weintraub discussed the state of American democracy.

Is American democracy dead?

Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor of Germany discussed digital innovation and the vision for a progressive future.

The path to a progressive future

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Meet the global leaders who joined us

With tech companies navigating fractured alliances, new technologies disrupting society faster than regulation can adapt, and digital platforms reshaping how we connect, it has never been more important to find solutions. From climate action to democracy itself, the question remains: is technology helping or hindering progress?

Shifting geopolitical alliances, trade wars, and international tensions are forcing tech companies to navigate an increasingly fragmented global landscape where technology decisions have become matters of national security and diplomatic strategy.

Tech's global realignment

As technology races forward, policymakers face the constant challenge of trying to foster innovation while safeguarding society. Discover how experts are navigating the intersection of public policy, regulation, and technological progress.

Regulation vs innovation

Our lives are increasingly moving online, giving a selection of tech companies significant influence – an influence that is too often used to divide, isolate, and control. Can society rewrite the social contract for the 21st century to regain power over our lives?

Has tech eroded the social contract?

The climate crisis is the most serious existential threat facing humanity. As the world deals with rapidly worsening ecological and societal consequences, what are governments and policymakers doing to fight this? How can tech help?