Stéphanie Obertin: "Data is the foundation of everything: from AI to space"

In an interview with the Tageblatt newspaper, Luxembourg's Minister of Digitalisation, Stéphanie Obertin, summarised the results of a recent economic mission to Japan. According to her, the visit to Tokyo and Osaka was rich and opened new horizons in scientific and technological co-operation between the countries.

In Tokyo, the delegation's focus was on science. Obertin highlighted the importance of already existing partnerships, such as the cooperation between the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) and Japanese colleagues in the field of Parkinson's disease research. In Osaka, the Minister was particularly interested in the topics of space and cyclical economics.

Obertin emphasised that one of the main themes of the mission was digital technologies. According to her, Luxembourg has already developed national strategies for artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and data management. Discussing these areas with Japanese experts confirmed that both countries attach great importance to data protection and respect for privacy. "The exchange of experience in this area was extremely interesting - after all, it is data that is the basis for the development of AI and other digital solutions," the minister said.

Obertin also replaced Economy Minister Lex Delles in discussions on hydrogen technology and space research. She recalled that Luxembourg is actively developing hydrogen as an environmentally friendly alternative and that in the field of space, research is being conducted with the participation of LIST (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology). Although she does not consider herself an expert in the aerospace sector, the Minister emphasised that she has learned a lot and has talked to key players, including ispace, the developer of the lunar rover. More meetings are already scheduled with her.

Obertin is confident: the visit to Japan is only the beginning. Contacts will continue at all levels, from universities to technology companies. "This mission will be the starting point for long-term co-operation," she added.

According to Obertin, this was her first trip to Japan. Although the programme was tight, the minister had time to compare Tokyo and Osaka: "Tokyo is crisp and administrative, while Osaka has a more free atmosphere". She was particularly struck by the friendliness and politeness of the Japanese.

Among the pavilions at the Osaka World Expo, Obertin singled out the Japanese pavilion and the health pavilion, which was particularly interesting to her because she used to work as a family doctor. She also liked the Swiss science pavilion, but "the Luxembourg pavilion with its stunning images of her home country" still held a special place in her heart.