Manuel Pietra Represents Responsible AI Governance at Leading International Forums

May 26, 2026

FreeBalance President and CEO Manuel Schiappa Pietra has represented the company — and Canada — at a series of high-profile international events over the past year, bringing FreeBalance’s perspective on ethical AI, public financial management reform, and responsible digital governance to some of the world’s most influential forums.

Tallinn Digital Summit, Estonia

At the invitation-only Tallinn Digital Summit in Tallinn, Estonia — one of the world’s foremost gatherings of digital government leaders — Manuel addressed the question of how governments can build the foundations for AI-ready public institutions. His session made the case that robust public financial management infrastructure is not merely a prerequisite for AI adoption in government: it is the essential condition for ensuring AI delivers accountable, citizen-centred outcomes. Canada’s Special Envoy Stéphane Dion was also present, connecting with FreeBalance as part of discussions on digital governance and the summit’s broader agenda.

GovTech 4 Impact World Congress, Madrid

At the GovTech 4 Impact World Congress in Madrid — the premier global meeting place for government leaders and public sector innovators — Manuel took to the Plenary stage to address the question of how trusted financial data and integrated systems can power more transparent, accountable AI-driven public service delivery. His session, Empowering AI and Service Delivery through Smart PFM Platforms, drew on FreeBalance’s 40 years of global experience to outline the shift toward a Government as a Platform model — where high-quality fiscal data is the fuel for responsible AI, and closing the gap between information and action requires linking financial management, performance, and outcomes in an integrated system.

Women in Tech® Global Finals, Paris

One of the highlights of the Women in Tech® Global Summit in Paris was Manuel’s Ignite Talk on Day 3: The Women Advantage in the Fifth Industrial Revolution — A Call to Shape the Future of Humanity. In ten focused minutes, he made the case — clearly and with conviction — that women are not simply needed in the rooms where the future is being shaped. They represent a structural advantage in how humanity navigates what comes next. The talk resonated strongly with the global audience gathered in Paris, drawing on FreeBalance’s broader commitment to inclusive governance and diverse leadership as conditions for sustainable digital transformation.

World Economic Forum New Champions Retreat, Geneva

FreeBalance joined the World Economic Forum’s New Champions Community Retreat in Geneva, held under the theme Resilience in a Polycrisis World. Manuel led the AI workshop on People, Skills and Organisational Transformation, guiding cross-industry leaders through the challenges, opportunities, and future signals shaping responsible AI adoption in both public and private sectors. FreeBalance received an Honourable Mention for Excellence in Technological Disruption and Responsible Innovation — recognition of its work at the frontier of ethical AI in government, selected from among a distinguished community of purpose-driven companies with outsized global impact.

Tech Diplomacy Global Institute & Davos

Manuel serves as a Supervisory Board Member of the Tech Diplomacy Global Institute (TDGI) — a UNESCO-supported initiative that bridges digital innovation, international relations, and governance. The TDGI is the world’s premier institution at the intersection of technology and global policy, and Manuel’s role on its Supervisory Board reflects FreeBalance’s commitment to shaping the international frameworks that govern how AI and digital infrastructure are deployed in the public interest. At the start of the year, Manuel participated in the TDGI forum at Davos alongside the World Economic Forum, addressing the economic costs of fragmented technology governance.

Looking Ahead

Manuel is confirmed to speak at Nexus Luxembourg on the panel Tech Diplomacy in the Age of AI and Global Competition. These engagements reflect FreeBalance’s position as a trusted voice in the global conversations shaping the future of public financial management, ethical AI, and digital governance.