Forum KI-Recht
20 August 2026
Zurich

Martin Steiger

Attorney-at-Law and Entrepreneur for Digital Law

Presentation topic:
“Live Podcast – Datenschutzplaudereien”

Martin Steiger is an attorney and entrepreneur specializing in digital law. His work focuses on the intersection of IT, law, and business, including data protection and AI law. Through his law firm, Steiger Legal AG, and his company, Datenschutzpartner AG, he assists individuals, organizations, and businesses in complying with data protection laws in Switzerland and abroad.

He serves as a lecturer at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and at the Datenschutz-Academy. He is also actively involved with the non-governmental organization Digitale Gesellschaft.

In the podcast “Datenschutz-Plaudereien,” Martin Steiger and Andreas Von Gunten discuss current issues related to data protection, internet policy, and related topics on a weekly basis.

Sascha Maier

Chief Information Security Officer SV Group

Presentation topic:
“Booking.com & AI: The Invisible Attack on the Hospitality Industry”

Sascha Maier is the CISO of the SV Group in Zurich, a leading foodservice and hotel management group with business divisions in institutional foodservice, public foodservice, hotel management, and digital solutions.

Prior to that, he served for more than ten years as Head of IT & Cyber Resilience at IWC Schaffhausen, the renowned luxury watch manufacturer based in Schaffhausen. In this role, he was responsible for the company’s global IT and information security across all locations.

In addition, Sascha Maier serves as a lecturer at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and the Swiss Cyber Institute, and acts as an advisor to various startups in the areas of cybersecurity and digital resilience.

Dr. Dominika Blonski

Data Protection Authority of the Canton of Zurich

Presentation topic:
“KI & Data”

Dominika Blonski has served as the Data Protection Authority for the Canton of Zurich since May 2020.

She earned her doctorate from the University of Bern. Her award-winning dissertation—which received the Professor Walther Hug Prize—focused on the topic “Biometric Data as the Subject of the Right to Informational Self-Determination.” In addition, she supplemented her legal education with a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Information Security Management.

As Vice President of privatim and a lecturer on digitalization and data protection at the University of Bern, she brings deep expertise at the intersection of law and technology.

Livia Walpen

Senior Policy Advisor, Federal Office of Communications (BAKOM)

Presentation topic:
“How will Switzerland regulate AI?”

Livia Walpen serves as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Federal Office of Communications (BAKOM), where she focuses on issues related to the governance of artificial intelligence. She was a member of the Swiss delegation during the negotiations on the Council of Europe’s AI Convention and is currently responsible for its national implementation. She is also a member of the organizing team for the 2027 AI Summit in Geneva, coordinates the “Tripartite Platform for AI,” and is active in the Swiss Internet Governance Forum (Swiss IGF).​

Livia Walpen holds a master’s degree (M.A.) in International Relations and Governance from the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and also studied in Santiago, Chile, and at the Graduate Institute in Geneva.

Kai Zenner

Head of Office and Digital Policy Adviser for Axel Voss (MEP), European Parliament

Presentation topic:
“Update AI Regulation in the EU”

Kai Zenner is Head of Office and Digital Policy Adviser in the parliamentary office of Axel Voss, Member of the European Parliament.​

In this role, Kai Zenner has helped shape and implement the most important data protection and digitalization initiatives of recent years. As a digitalization expert, Kai Zenner focuses on the question of “proper” policymaking. What kind of regulation is needed for digitalization in the context of the tension between “technology, innovation, and legislation”?​​

Dr. Marisa Tschopp

Head of the “Human & AI” Department, ZHAW / Head of “AI Research,” scip AG

Presentation topic:
“Keynote: Humans, Machines, Feelings? AI Psychology at the Intersection of Emotions, Identity, and Human Behavior “

Dr. Marisa Tschopp heads the “Human & AI” department at the ZHAW’s Institute of Applied Psychology for People, Society, and Technologies, where she researches the psychological and ethical dynamics of human-machine relationships. In addition, the AI psychologist leads the AI Research division at the cybersecurity firm scip AG, thereby bridging theoretical research with technological practice. As a passionate advocate for the NGO Women in AI, she is also actively committed to diversity and the advancement of women in shaping a human-centered technological future.

Dr. Kerstin Johansson Baker

Head of CNAI Unit, Swiss Federal Statistical Office

Presentation topic:
“AI in the Federal Administration and public trust”

Dr Kerstin Johansson Baker is currently Head of the Competence Network for Artificial Intelligence (CNAI) unit at the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. This network aims to build trust in AI and facilitate an active and sustainable knowledge exchange, both within the Swiss Federal Administration and beyond.
Dr Johansson Baker participates in UN working groups such as “Responsible AI” and “Privacy-enhancing technologies Legal subgroup”, and works closely with the Data science competence center at the FSO in these areas. With her deep understanding of the issues surrounding AI and its impact on democracy and the rule of law, she follows the development of digital law and data protection and advocates for responsible, trustworthy and ethical AI practices.

Dr Johansson Baker holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Geneva and has a strong background in academic diabetes research. She more recently retrained as a data scientist and completed a Certificate of Open Studies in Data Science and Machine Learning at the EPFL Extension School.