Swiss Ambassador Dagmar Schmidt Tartaglia poses at the Swiss Hanok in western Seoul, May 22. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
The annual Swiss-Korean Innovation Week (SKIW) kicked off on May 20, on the topic of Building Bridges in Digital Trust. For its seventh edition, the theme was “The Trust Equation.”
Swiss Ambassador to Korea Dagmar Schmidt Tartaglia explained that “The Trust Equation” is the center of Swiss-Korean innovation week in her welcoming speech at the Swiss Hanok in western Seoul, May 22. It was part of an event titled “DIALOGUE: Digital Trust 4 Media: Navigating the Media–Tech Nexus,” which looked at the evolving issue of public trust in media.
“Providing trustworthy information stands as one of the media’s fundamental functions. However, recent years have witnessed a surge in disinformation employing sophisticated deepfakes and artificial intelligence, profoundly impacting societal discourse. Therefore, the roles of key stakeholders in the media scene, including research institutions, broadcasters, search engine portals and social media platforms, have become increasingly crucial, particularly in combating disinformation,” the ambassador said.
“At the same time, ensuring digital trust in the media realm also entails facilitating dialogues within civil society on the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The paradox lies in the dual role of technology, exploring its potential as both a threat and a tool for fostering trust.”
Korea and Switzerland celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations last year.
When asked how such events improve relations between Korea and Switzerland, the ambassador said, “We work in culture and in promoting economic and political dialogue and cooperation. A strong part of our work here is really to connect people. This week is very much also in the spirit of connecting people.”
Visit swissinnovation.kr for further information.
Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He’s also co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.