Ansgar Baums is a leading expert on the intersection of geopolitics, technology and economics.
As a Senior Advisor at Sinolytics, he advises companies on geopolitical risk management and is a non-residential Senior Fellow at the Stimson Centre. In 2023, he was awarded the Helmut Schmidt Fellowship of the German Marshall Fund. He has held senior positions at HP, Zoom Video Communications and SAP and therefore brings a deep understanding of the strategic challenges facing global organisations.
His academic background, including a Masters degree with honours in International Strategy and Economics from the University of St Andrews, complements his practical experience perfectly. In lectures and talks, he sheds light on topics such as the role of technology in geopolitics, the impact of political measures on companies and the future of global technology value chains. Ansgar Baums offers unique insights into a world where technology, politics and business are increasingly intertwined.
Ansgar Baums in an interview:
1. What are the core subjects of your keynote speeches?
I am engaged in the question of how technology and geopolitics interact with each other. I approach this both on a fundamental level (why is technology even a topic for geopolitics? And how does technology change the geopolitical context?) and in a very concrete way—specifically from the perspective of affected companies: How can I anticipate geopolitical risks and integrate them into my corporate risk management processes? My core message: Companies exist to take risks. Therefore, it’s not about “de-risking,” but about taking smart rather than foolish risks.
2. Which audiance or which branch do you reach with your speech?
I focus on the interface between international politics, technology, and economics. Therefore, I engage in conversations with political actors (primarily in the USA, China, and Europe) as well as with companies—especially those shaping technology value chains. Additionally, I also explore how public procurement can become more geopolitically resilient.
3. Are you a PREMIUM SPEAKER? Where do you get your insights from?
I have 20 years of experience in the field of technology and politics. I began my career with the German intelligence service, then transitioned to the tech industry, where I worked for companies such as SAP, Hewlett-Packard, HP, and Zoom. Here, I especially appreciated the pragmatism of corporate risk management.
Based on these experiences, in 2023, I accepted a fellowship from the German Marshall Fund and the Zeit-Stiftung and wrote the book “Tech Cold War: The Geopolitics of Technology” in Washington.
4. What will be in the future? Does «time» play an important role in your work?
“Geopolitics is back!” After 1990, we thought that it would only be about globalization and the reduction of trade barriers from now on. In reality, we are currently witnessing a transition from a unipolar to a multipolar world—along with the volatility and risks that such a shift brings. Unfortunately, this period of uncertainty is likely to last at least another decade. In this regard: golden times for geopolitical risk management.