Francesca Bria

Francesca Bria

Pioneering Architect of Digital Sovereignty, Ethical AI Governance, and Citizen-Centric Smart Cities

Core Intelligence Domain: Digital Innovation & Tech Sovereignty
Location: Rome, Italy | Languages: English, Italian, Spanish
Representation: Represented globally by PSpeakers Global Intelligence

Francesca Bria is a globally recognised innovation economist, digital policy expert, and a pioneering voice in the realm of technological sovereignty and citizen-centric data ecosystems. Operating at the intersection of technology, economics, and public policy, she advises governments, multinational corporations, and international institutions on how to harness the power of artificial intelligence, big data, and digital platforms to create inclusive, democratic, and sustainable societies. Her proprietary frameworks redefine how data is governed, treating digital infrastructure not merely as a commercial asset, but as a public good essential for the modern geopolitical landscape.

Strategic Foresight and Global Leadership

Currently serving as the President of the Italian National Innovation Fund (CDP Venture Capital), Francesca directs billions of euros towards scaling up Italy’s digital infrastructure, sustainable tech startups, and green transition initiatives. She acts as a Senior Adviser to the United Nations (UN-Habitat) on digital cities and is an Honorary Professor at the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose at University College London (UCL). Further cementing her influence on European cultural and technological integration, she was appointed by the President of the European Commission to the high-level roundtable for the New European Bauhaus.

Her strategic foresight is highly sought after in corporate boardrooms and high-level governmental summits, where she decodes the complex regulatory landscapes of the European Union, including the AI Act, the Digital Markets Act, and the Digital Services Act. She provides actionable roadmaps for enterprises navigating the shifting paradigms of data privacy, algorithmic accountability, and digital compliance.

The Barcelona Model and Public Purpose Technology

Francesca’s global prominence accelerated during her transformative tenure as the Chief Technology and Digital Innovation Officer for the City of Barcelona. Under her leadership, Barcelona became a global blueprint for the “Smart City 3.0,” shifting the focus from vendor-led technological deployment to citizen-led digital democracy. She architected the renowned Decidim platform—a digital infrastructure now utilised by hundreds of cities globally to foster participatory governance.

Furthermore, she led the European flagship DECODE project, a ground-breaking initiative focused on reclaiming data sovereignty. By developing decentralised technologies, including blockchain and cryptographic tools, DECODE provided citizens with the agency to control their own data, establishing a pragmatic alternative to the data-monopolies of Silicon Valley and the state-surveillance models of other global superpowers.

Major Achievements and Global Recognition

• TIME Magazine: Named one of the Top 50 People Behind the Future of Tech.
• Forbes: Listed among the Top 50 Women in Tech globally.
• Politico Europe: Recognised as one of the 28 most influential people shaping the future of Europe.
• La Repubblica: Awarded “Woman of the Year” for her systemic contributions to digital democracy and innovation economics.
• Board Memberships: Serves on the board of RAI (Italian public broadcasting) and the nexus of various European digital think tanks, guiding the ethical integration of AI in media and public information.
• World Economic Forum: A regular contributor and agenda-setter at Davos, focusing on the geopolitical implications of technological sovereignty.

Keynote Speaking Themes and Executive Frameworks

• Digital Sovereignty and the New Geopolitics of Technology: Analysing how nations and corporations can build resilient digital infrastructures, reduce technological dependencies, and navigate the competing models of US platform capitalism and Asian state-driven tech.
• Governing Artificial Intelligence for the Public Good: Strategic insights into the EU AI Act, algorithmic transparency, and how businesses can innovate responsibly while ensuring compliance and ethical integrity.
• Reclaiming the Smart City: Moving beyond sensor-driven urbanism to build democratic, sustainable, and citizen-empowered cities. Lessons from the “Barcelona Model.”
• The Future of Data: Trusts, Commons, and Web3: Exploring proprietary frameworks for decentralised data ecosystems, privacy-enhancing technologies, and how the shift towards a citizen-owned data economy disrupts traditional business models.
• Sustainable Innovation and the Green Transition: Merging the digital and ecological transitions. How deep tech, green energy, and innovation economics can drive the New European Bauhaus and global climate goals.

Key Takeaways

• Tech Sovereignty is an Economic Imperative: Data and digital infrastructures must be managed strategically to ensure economic resilience and competitive advantage in a volatile global market.
• Ethics as a Competitive Differentiator: Companies and governments that proactively adopt ethical AI governance and privacy-first data models will lead the next generation of digital innovation.
• Citizen-Centric Smart Cities: The future of urban innovation relies on public purpose technology that prioritises democratic participation and ecological sustainability over passive consumption.
• Navigating European Regulation: Understanding the nuances of the EU’s digital regulatory frameworks is crucial for global enterprises seeking to operate securely and innovatively within European markets.