matchpoints2021.au.dk

Democracy and Digitalization

The internet brought hopes of a broader and better democratic culture, where everyone could participate directly in public debate. Reality turned out to be more complicated. Hate speech, nameless trolls and a fractured public sphere are just some of the challenges brought on by digitalization. Still, digital technologies continue to carry great promise and spearhead innovation. Challenges like climate change and the Covid-19 crisis may well be unsolvable without the internet’s infrastructure. But how was that infrastructure built, and who profits from it? MatchPoints 2021 explores the hopes and fears of an age where digitization is both ubiquitous and more ambiguous than ever. With democracy, the economy, a worldwide pandemic, the fabric of culture and even the fate of the planet at stake, there has never been a better time to consider the relation between digitalization and society. The conference features international keynote speakers and panels organized by Aarhus University researchers.

Thanks to the easing of lockdown restrictions in Denmark, MatchPoints 2021 will be held as a hybrid conference, meaning that you can join us both online or in person, choosing between four thematic tracks, or virtually in the main track.
Safety precautions and Covid-19 quick tests will be in place to ensure a safe and engaging experience for all our physical guests, while our virtual guests will have access to digital-only content and unique Q&A sessions with our keynote speakers.

So whether you are joining us from the comfort of your home, or eager to participate in a real-life conference again, register now for a unique and inspiring event, which brings together leading researchers, politicians, journalists, and business leaders from around the world.
You can sign up as a virtual or physical participant and easily change your registration at a later date, should your preferences change.

The internet brought hopes of a broader and better democratic culture, where everyone could participate directly in public debate. Reality turned out to be more complicated.

MatchPoints 2021 explores the hopes and fears of an age where digitization is both ubiquitous and more ambiguous than ever.

Safety precautions and Covid-19 quick tests will be in place to ensure a safe and engaging experience for all our physical guests, while our virtual guests will have access to digital-only content and unique Q&A sessions with our keynote speakers.

Democracy in the Digital Age

Hybrid track on politics, economy and the media

Communication and Education

In-person track on culture, pedagogy and public debate

Building a Digital Society

In-person track on privacy, leadership and social cohesion

Grand Challenges! Digital Solutions?

In-person track on climate change, medicine and AI

Democracy in the Digital Age

Hybrid track on politics, economy and the media

Communication and Education

In-person track on culture, pedagogy and public debate

Building a Digital Society

In-person track on privacy, leadership and social cohesion

Grand Challenges! Digital Solutions?

In-person track on climate change, medicine and AI

About the hybrid format

Conference highlights

Francis Fukuyama

Political scientist Francis Fukuyama (Stanford University) opens the conference with a keynote lecture on whether tech giants like Facebook and Google can meet democratic requirements for fair competition.
Francis Fukuyama will give his virtual keynote lecture Friday 28 May.

Anne Applebaum

Award-winning journalist Anne Applebaum explores the political threat of disinformation and algorithmic distortion, drawing on decades of experience studying how states transition into and out of democracy.
Anne Applebaum will present her virtual keynote on Thursday 27 May.

Marianne Dahl

Marianne Dahl is Microsoft’s Vice President for Sales, Marketing and Operations in Western Europe, an active voice in public debate, a role model for many Danish women, and a distinguished alumna of Aarhus University.
Marianne Dahl will participate in a Q&A session and the evening panel debate on Friday 28 May.

Frederik Obermaier og Bastian Obermayer

As journalists at Süddeutsche Zeitung, Frederik Obermaier and Bastian Obermayer broke the news on the Panama Papers, an enormous data leak on illegal tax evasion among the world’s wealthiest. They will speak on the increased importance of investigative journalism in the digital age.
They will participate in a Q&A session and a session on digital grey zones on Saturday 29 May.

Karen Melchior

Member of the European Parliament for Denmark, Karen Melchior is working on – among other things – artificial intelligence and gender equality for the digital age.

Karen Melchior will participate in panel at Dinner, Debate and Digitalization Friday 28 May and speak in a panel on Saturday 29 May in the track Communication and Education.

Lars Seier Christensen

After achieving fame as founder and CEO of Saxo Bank, Lars Seier Christensen has now turned his attention to the promises of the new digital economy, including netbanking and blockchain.

Lars Seier Christensen participates in a session on the new digital economy on Friday 28 May.