Advisory Council

Technology is America’s single greatest comparative advantage and an enormous source of soft power. The Krach Institute is dedicated to maintaining our competitive edge, advancing the national interest, and spreading democratic values abroad. Especially in this new era of great power competition, the Institute’s work is both laudable and essential.

I am passionate about making connections between disparate fields, such as engineering, computer science, and social science broadly understood to understand human collaboration and conflict on a large scale. I am a practical theorist who believes that there is no more practical thing than a good theory or model.

Technology is an integral component of US foreign policy and will be decisive in the strategic competition between the United States and China. In the twenty-first century and beyond, traditional military, economic, and diplomatic power will not be enough to ensure that the United States maintains its pre-eminent global role. We must integrate technological prowess and leadership into all of the elements of foreign policy power. Purdue’s focus on “tech diplomacy” is prescient.

History teaches us many lessons, foremost among them is the importance of friendship among diverse nations and cultures. Understanding and embracing the potential of today's evolving technologies will empower that pursuit, and thus one of humanity's most ancient hopes, a peaceful world.

During his leadership at the U.S. Department of State, Asst. Secretary Krach became a respected world expert in technology security. It is a pleasure to be a part of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue as it helps develop and secure our technology future.

Tech Diplomacy is the next frontier on the world stage and no surprise that Keith Krach is at the forefront. The battlefield has changed and the weapons of the future are all about the underlying technology. The power will reside with those who master emerging technologies like AI/ML, Blockchain, and Quantum . It is a matter of our national security that we are the superpower of the future leading the innovation in these critical areas. We are fortunate to have the leadership efforts of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue University.

Technology innovation is emerging worldwide and countries that respect the rule of law, intellectual property, reciprocity and other international norms can and must find common ground to realize the benefits while provide appropriate protection. The Krach Institute is uniquely positioned to provide credible, reasoned and fact-based input to the critical policy conversations taking place. It is a privilege to serve on the Advisory Council.

Romania stands at a pivotal moment in shaping the future of trusted technology. As a bridge between East and West, we have the opportunity to lead innovation and secure adoption of critical technologies that enhance both regional stability and global cybersecurity. Together with partners like the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy, I am committed to advancing these efforts to ensure a resilient, secure, and forward-looking digital landscape.

The development of trusted relationships for diplomacy is critical, and should happen on an ongoing basis. Waiting for a crisis or conflict to trigger diplomatic efforts can lead to urgent problems with lengthy, costly solutions. I see the need for diplomacy to become focused on specialized areas, such as economics, supply chain, and technology. While these areas have some aspects in common, in many ways they are quite different, and can evolve rapidly. Current domain expertise can be the key to creating a solution that will not only sound good on paper, but also actually work. I'm in support of existing efforts, such as the Clean Network, but believe we still have more work to do. America's dependency on other countries for key materials, such as semiconductors, could put our economy at risk. As a member of the advisory board, I look forward to helping our country be proactive in addressing potential technological risks.

The global pursuit of innovation, technological advancements and science-based capacities of a nation can be directly correlated to that nation’s international clout and status in the world arena of influence and impact. Innovative advances through public and private efforts help define the interests of a nation’s foreign policy. The Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue understands this delicate balance and is committed to innovation and strategic discussions that advance the interests and standing of the United States on the world stage.

In today's dynamic and often turbulent world, preserving and strengthening America's ability to compete in critical enabling technologies ensures our nation's economic vitality and national security. The Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue is at the forefront of ensuring these goals. I am honored to be part of the Institute, and look forward to ensuring that the intersection of technology and U.S. foreign policy remains a key tool in strengthening our country's competitiveness and security globally.

Safeguarding ethics and transparency in sharing scientific and tech knowledge is of essence in building a better future for all. We must be aware of threats and work to provide a safe environment for scientists and entrepreneurs to create and prosper. The Krach institute Global Trusted Tech Network initiative is an important step in the right direction, and I am thrilled to be able to contribute.

My mission is to harness generative AI for social good, fostering impactful cross-sector collaborations. While AI can be misused, we leverage its positive power to address critical social issues. I encourage organizations and individuals worldwide to use AI responsibly. By integrating AI into social initiatives, we increase tolerance, engagement, foster empathy, and create lasting solutions.

The development of disruptive technologies has many expected - and sometimes unexpected - consequences. It is important at both an individual and a national level to anticipate and plan for these outcomes.

In a world where technology can be weaponized against us, protecting America's and our allies' innovative edge is crucial for national security. As an Advisory Council member for the Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue, I'm committed to keeping groundbreaking advancements in the hands of those upholding democratic values globally. By fostering collaboration across governments, industry, and academia, we can safeguard technological superiority, accelerate innovation, and protect our cherished freedoms for future generations.

Technology has the power to empower citizens and enhance their quality of life by enabling them to live more freely and abundantly. It can also help nations prosper and safeguard their democratic institutions. However, authoritarian regimes are leveraging technology to establish their own competing techno-autocratic global order. To equip technologists and policymakers with the knowledge and confidence needed to confront the imminent threats of technology fragmentation and geopolitical conflicts, the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue will be well positioned to be the meeting point for critical thinking and strategic collaboration.

I am proud of my alma mater, Purdue University, for supporting the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy which will lead the way on the most crucial work at the intersection of technology and U.S. foreign policy. Technology is often a double-edged sword because it can advance democratic movements while simultaneously benefiting adversaries of democracy. The power of this Institute is that it understands those trade-offs and offers the world a functional set of principles that value freedom, liberty, and the rule of law. Fundamental values ought to be factored into the way we design, use, and deploy technologies for the preservation of classical liberal democracy and free market capitalism.

In transition countries the IT industry has a unique role of being not only an economic but also a social game changer. Our mission is to facilitate their integration into the western technologies supply chain.

Every day we see examples around the world of the confluence of technology, democracy and human rights. The Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue brings badly needed expertise to U.S. diplomats and policymakers so that we can successfully confront the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Trust, the bedrock of our liberal democracy, coupled with technology have been two core elements that determined the progress of our democratic societies. But today, we live in a new transformational geopolitical reality, where distrust is accelerating and the clash over technology supremacy is mounting. Therefore, the KITDP is strategically positioned to help counter authoritarianism by integrating non-tech with tech tools in an increasingly dynamic and rapidly evolving digital battle. Moreover, tech statecraft and the return of trust are fundamental for American leadership to win this strategic competition while harnessing the best of new technologies to defend our peace and prosperity, our Western civilization, and the free world to prevail over authoritarianism. I am truly delighted to be asked to serve alongside such illustrious luminaries and to contribute to KITDP's noble mission.

Western ideas, technology, and money have been trusted and respected throughout the world for decades because the values, liberties, and security they represent are enshrined in the rule of law and guarantees of inalienable rights. In the 21st century, extending those laws and rights to the digital domain—first among them, digital privacy—is essential to sustaining and preserving modern democratic societies. This vital, urgent work is among the most consequential challenges in the next 25 years; if we don’t get this right, the digital frontier will be forfeit to autocrats and anarchists who today freely corrupt and malign it toward their ends.