Tech Diplomacy: A Conversation With H.E. Deemah Al Yahya

RSVP to Attend In Person

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from Noon to 1:30 p.m. PT at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism (ASC 207), join us for a special fireside chat on tech diplomacy with H.E. Deemah Al Yahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO). The timely conversation with USC Annenberg, Viterbi, and Marshall students will explore how diplomacy must evolve in an era defined by algorithms, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and the rising geopolitical influence of technology firms. The event is presented as part of The Montgomery Summit, hosted by March Capital, with CPD as co-host. 

The discussion will introduce tech diplomacy as the practice of engaging with technology actors, systems, and issues to advance national interests, protect digital sovereignty, shape global governance, and strengthen international legitimacy in the digital era. Rather than treating tech diplomacy as a niche specialty, the event frames it as a strategic imperative for today’s diplomats and public policy leaders. As technology companies rival states in economic and geopolitical power, and as digital platforms reshape diplomacy itself, governments must move beyond simply using digital tools toward actively governing technology and shaping global norms.

The conversation will explore why tech diplomacy is now unavoidable; how it differs from digital diplomacy; and how new power actors—including Big Tech firms, startups, international organizations, and online communities—are reshaping global affairs alongside governments. The event will offer practical guidance on building digital literacy, engaging technology companies as stakeholders, promoting inclusive and human-centered digital policies, and participating directly in the development of global digital standards. 

About H.E. Deemah Al Yahya

H.E. Deemah Al Yahya is a Saudi tech diplomat and digital economy expert serving as the founding Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization. Elected in April 2021 as the first Saudi woman to lead an international organization, she was unanimously reappointed in 2025 for a second four-year term, reflecting strong member-state confidence in her leadership. Under her stewardship, the DCO has expanded from five founding member states to sixteen nations representing more than $3.5 trillion in GDP and over 800 million people, while securing United Nations General Assembly Observer status and positioning itself as a key voice in global digital governance.

A recognized architect of digital transformation, Al Yahya previously led Saudi Arabia’s National Digital Transformation Unit, coordinating strategy across eight ministries and spearheading nationwide digital skills initiatives that trained more than 1.2 million youth. As a regional executive at Microsoft, she launched innovation hubs across three continents and helped upskill more than four million developers, entrepreneurs, and young people. She serves as a Broadband Commissioner for Sustainable Development, a World Economic Forum Edison Alliance Champion for Digital Inclusion, and a member of the International Advisory Body on Submarine Cable Resilience. Across government, industry, and multilateral platforms, she is known for pairing policy vision with execution—convening heads of state, ministers, regulators, and technology CEOs to design practical frameworks that advance digital inclusion, economic resilience, and social prosperity.

RSVP to Attend In Person

This program is open to all eligible individuals. The USC Center on Public Diplomacy operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.