Interview with the CNPD Commissioners Marc Lemmer, Thierry Lallemang, Tine A. Larsen and Alain Herrmann

The national data protection authority, the “Commission nationale pour la protection des données” (CNPD) is a partner of Nexus2050. This inaugural edition will focus on generative AI and sustainability, as well as cybersecurity, fintech, skills, and pure tech. More than 5,000 attendees are expected, alongside over 200 experts and speakers, 200 startups from around the globe, and 100 exhibitors. It will span two days, feature 5 stages, and cover more than 12,000 square meters.

What inspired your organization to join Nexus2050 for its first edition?

Our organization, the CNPD, was drawn to join Nexus2050 primarily because it stands out as a significant event centered around the digital economy. By bringing together a diverse array of national and international stakeholders, both public and private, including key political decision-makers, it presents a unique opportunity for us. As the national authority for personal data protection, the CNPD is eager to gain visibility within this community to gather valuable feedback on the opportunities and challenges faced by stakeholders in the digital economy and its complex regulatory landscape.

Participating in Nexus2050 also aligns with our goal of expanding CNPD's network and enhancing our communication efforts across various sectors, including business, public organisations, and policy decision-makers.

Additionally, the timing of the event is favorable as it coincides with the launch of several new initiatives and tools developed by the CNPD. These include the ALTO project, featuring the DAAZ (Data Protection from A to Z) training platform tailored for very small SMEs, as well as DaproLab workshops focusing on AI and the AI regulatory sandbox. Furthermore, we have recently introduced the Data Protection Basics (DPB) course, and Nexus2050 offers an excellent opportunity to promote these resources and engage with stakeholders on important data protection issues. Overall, with joining Nexus2050 we hope contributing to important conversations, expand our reach, and showcase our latest initiatives.

Which topics at Nexus2050 are of particular interest to you? And why?

We, at CNPD, are particularly interested in meeting professionals from the various areas featured by Nexus20250 such as Artificial Intelligence, trusted digital public services, cybersecurity, Healthtech, Fintech, Regtech, Insurtech, and Digital Citizenship and Ethics. These areas align closely with our organization's focus and strategic objectives, making them valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration. Additionally, we are keen on meeting potential candidates for recruitment and establishing connections with potential RDI and industry partners for internal AI projects.

What criteria will you use to gauge the success of Nexus2050?

For the CNPD, the success of Nexus2050 extends beyond mere attendance numbers and media coverage. While the event's visibility in national and international media outlets serves as one metric, the CNPD places greater emphasis on the qualitative impact it achieves.

At its core, Nexus2050 presents the CNPD with a platform to engage with stakeholders from various sectors, and to foster meaningful conversations around emerging technologies and their implications for data protection and privacy rights.

From a practical standpoint, CNPD evaluates the success of Nexus2050 based on tangible event outcomes such as the number of interview requests received, the uptake of its training and awareness tools like DAAZ (Data protection from A to Z) and DPB (Data Protection Basics) course, and the level of interest generated in its regulatory initiatives such as the regulatory sandbox and DaproLab workshops.

Ultimately, success for CNPD at Nexus2050 is not just about metrics but about the meaningful connections forged, the knowledge shared, and the collaborative opportunities cultivated. It is about positioning CNPD as a proactive and engaged regulator committed to safeguarding data privacy rights in an increasingly digitized world.