As technology increasingly shapes global power dynamics, universities are emerging as key players in what experts now call tech diplomacy. This concept, at the intersection of science, innovation, and international relations, goes beyond traditional diplomacy to include actors like researchers, engineers, startups, and tech companies. In the latest episode of the EELISA 2.0 podcast, UPM’s Vice-Rector for Communication, Marta Olea de Cárdenas unpacks how this shift impacts education, policy, and society at large.
Tech Diplomacy
This term refers to the evolving practice of navigating foreign relations through technological developments. It includes everything from international AI regulations to the geopolitics of green energy. While governments still play a central role, major influence now also comes from private companies like OpenAI or Huawei and, importantly, from universities. nlike the market-driven model of the U.S. or China’s centralized strategy, Europe positions itself as a value-based leader in tech diplomacy.
Marta Olea raises the question: “Can we set the rules without falling behind?” From the pioneering General Data Protection Regulation to the AI Act, the EU emphasizes human rights, transparency, and ethical innovation. Yet, she wonders if there is room to balance these ideals with the need to stay globally competitive is a growing challenge.
From the digital divide to exclusionary patents and unregulated AI, the hurdles are real. Inclusive innovation means considering whose voices are heard, who benefits from tech, and who’s left behind. Tech diplomacy, Marta argues, is about co-creation trust and building global solutions together, not just exporting technology.
Universities as Global Actors
Universities are not just training future engineers, they are helping shape the ethical frameworks around tech. At the same time, they are at the forefront of cutting-edge research in areas such as smart cities, renewable energy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Some of this work carries national security implications and must be handled with care. For this reason, EELISA Alliance members are rethinking curricula to include ethics, geopolitics, and global responsibility. “Students need to understand not just how to build tech, but how it impacts the world,” Marta insists.
Universities also play a crucial role in creating inclusive and attractive environments for international students. “That’s not just about having English speaking classes but also making sure that students feel welcome and protected” Marta stresses.
The Role of the EELISA Community Tech Diplomacy
The Tech Diplomacy, International Cooperation & Accessibility community within EELISA brings together researchers, students, NGOs, and companies to tackle these issues head-on. Their mission: ensure that science and technology serve people—not just markets or power structures.
Advice to Students
Marta’s message to students is simple: stay curious, stay critical, and engage. Whether it’s reading widely, traveling, or joining communities, becoming a globally aware technologist is more important than ever. As she puts it, “You don’t have to be a diplomat, but you should understand the world your tech is going into.”
Marta Olea
Vice-Rector for Communication and International Relations at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
Marta holds a PhD in Business Administration and Accounting from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (2004) and is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Computer Systems (ETSISI) at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, where she has taught Business Strategy and Business Fundamentals since 1994. Appointed Vice-Rector for Communication and Institutional Relations in January 2025, she leads strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and institutional identity efforts. Her research focuses on corporate intangibles, digital accessibility, women in STEM, and the social impact of engineering education. She has twice been a research fellow at the Real Colegio Complutense at Harvard. Marta founded the UPM Bone Marrow Team, a nationally replicated donor awareness campaign, and led the “Engineering Students for Civic Humanism” project. She is a long-time advocate for STEM outreach and inclusion, particularly among girls. Fluent in English, conversational in French, and a basic Mandarin speaker, she also lived in Beijing for three years.