Krach Institute and SERICS Foundation Launch US-Italy Dialogue on Trusted Technologies

Purdue-based Trusted Tech Accelerator and Italian Cyber Security Consortium
Sign MOU to Train Global Decision Makers Through Tech Diplomacy Academy

Rome, Italy – The Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue and the Italian SERICS (Security and Rights in the CyberSpace) Foundation on November 13, 2025, co-hosted the inaugural workshop, “Trusted Technologies for Democracies: A U.S.-Italy Dialogue,” under the auspices of the Embassy of Italy in the United States. 

The dialogue builds on the U.S.–Italy Joint Leaders’ Statement issued by President Trump and Prime Minister Meloni in April 2025, to strengthen the strategic alliance across security, economic, and technological domains. The event immediately translated this shared vision into action by convening leaders to counter authoritarian attempts to undermine trusted technology stacks, strengthen trusted supply chains, and foster the transatlantic proliferation of trusted technologies. 

Key Deliverable: MOU Signed to Accelerate Tech Diplomacy

The strategic partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Len Khodorkovsky, Senior Advisor to the Institute’s Chairman, and Vincenzo Loia, SERICS Foundation President. The agreement focuses on three key areas: 

• Global Training: Integrate Tech Diplomacy Academy content into the SERICS Academy platform. 
• Joint Workshops: Design and host a series of tech diplomacy workshops focused on emerging technologies and U.S.-Italy/EU policy impact. 
• Expanding the Network: Engage with other like-minded democracies to cross-promote educational efforts and expand global reach.

With the agreement, the SERICS Foundation joins the Global Trusted Tech Network, a worldwide alliance of countries, companies, universities, and civic institutions united around the mission to ensure technology advances freedom.

“The United States and Italy, as enduring allies, must lead in shaping trusted technologies that advance freedom and prosperity,” said Michelle Giuda, CEO of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue. “This dialogue translates our shared vision into actionable strategies, ensuring democracies maintain technological edge amid fierce geopolitical competition.”

“To compete with authoritarian powers, we need scale in talent, industry, and innovation. Democracies must stand united, acting with clarity and shared purpose,” said Roberto Baldoni, Senior Advisor for Technology and Cybersecurity Policy to the Ambassador of Italy to the U.S. “The long partnership between the United States and Italy now extends into the digital realm, where our security, prosperity, and democratic integrity converge. The Krach Institute and the SERICS Foundation are ideal partners to advance this cooperation on trusted technologies.”

Trusted Technologies for Democracies: A U.S.-Italy Dialogue

The Krach Institute-SERICS workshop sessions addressed critical questions ranging from harmonizing transatlantic technological policy to improving the trustworthiness of the U.S. and Italian AI tech stack and bridging the gaps through Tech Diplomacy. Participants included: 

• Alessandro Armando, Cybersecurity Professor, University of Genoa
• Roberto Baldoni, Senior Advisor for Technology and Cybersecurity Policy to the Ambassador of Italy to the U.S
• Rocco De Nicola, SERICS Foundation Vice President
• Michelle Giuda, Krach Institute CEO
• Hon. Lorenzo Guerini, Head of the Parliament Committee on National Security, Comitato Parlamentare per la Sicurezza della Repubblica (COPASIR)
• William Guidera, Acting Assistant Secretary, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
• Russ Headlee, Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, U.S. Department of State
• Len Khodorkovsky, Senior Advisor to the Chairman, Krach Institute
• Vincenzo Loia, SERICS Foundation President
• Amb. Massimo Marotti, Managing Director for Strategies and International Cooperation, Agenzia per la Cybersicurezza Nazionale (ACN)
• Alessandro Massa, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Leonardo
• Hon. Giorgio Mulè, Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies
• Nazak Nikakhtar, Partner, Wiley Rein
• David Ringrose, Head of Division for Connectivity and Digital Transition within the European External Action Service (EEAS)
• Senator Marco Scurria, Vice President, Fratelli d’Italia
• Hon. Adolfo Urso, Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy

A second workshop is scheduled for Spring 2026 in Washington, DC, hosted by the Embassy of Italy in the United States. 

About the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue

The Krach Institute is the world’s preeminent trusted technology accelerator. As the leader in the new category of Tech Diplomacy, the Institute integrates technology expertise, Silicon Valley strategies and foreign policy tools to build the Global Trusted Tech Network of governments, companies, organizations and individuals to accelerate the innovation and adoption of trusted technology and ensure technology advances freedom.

Visit the Krach Institute online at TechDiplomacy.org and follow on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube. Enroll in the Tech Diplomacy Academy to learn what you need to know now about key emerging technologies and their impact on business, policy and the global economy. Subscribe to the Institute’s weekly newsletter Tech Diplomacy Now for the latest news at the intersection of high tech and foreign policy.

About SERICS

The SERICS (Security and Rights in CyberSpace) Foundation is a research institution that promotes scientific and technological research in the field of computer security and digital rights, with the aim of developing innovative strategies to address the challenges of cyberspace with positive impact at the national and European levels.

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For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Megan Stencel at megan@javelindc.com or 703-490-8845.