Trusted Tech Alliance: Scaling AI with Trust & Transparency

Fifteen major technology companies announced a coalition at the Munich Security Conference aimed at building trust across the global digital ecosystem, with particular implications for the development and deployment of artificial intelligence systems.

The Trusted Tech Alliance (TTA) brings together firms from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. The coalition includes AI-focused companies such as Anthropic and Cohere alongside established technology providers.

The 15 members of the TTA are:

• Anthropic
• ​AWS
• Cassava Technologies
• Cohere
• Ericsson
• Google Cloud
• Hanwha
• Jio Platforms
• Microsoft
• Nokia
• Nscale
• NTT
• Rapidus
• Saab
• SAP​

The formation of the alliance reflects growing concerns around the security, sovereignty and interoperability of digital and AI systems and the infrastructure that supports them.

By establishing a "trusted technology stack", the TTA could give organisations greater confidence that the foundational elements of modern AI – from semiconductors through to cloud platforms and AI models – are developed according to consistent, verifiable standards.

Establishing principles for trusted AI

The participating companies have committed to five core principles that define how trusted technology should be developed, deployed and operated in the AI era.

These principles are designed to create accountability across the entire technology lifecycle, from initial design and deployment through to ongoing management and supplier relationships.

According to the alliance, the goal is to deliver technology that "can be secure, reliable and responsibly operated, regardless of where it is built or deployed".

For AI systems in particular, these commitments could address mounting concerns around transparency, safety and governance as models become more powerful and widely adopted.

Building trust through collaboration

The alliance represents a recognition that trusted AI infrastructure cannot be delivered by individual organisations working in isolation.

"No single company or a country can build a secure and trusted digital stack alone," says Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson.

"Rather, trust and security can only be achieved together. That's why, together with like-minded industry peers, we have launched the Trusted Tech Alliance – an initiative committed to verifiable trust practices across the digital stack."

David Zapolsky, Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer at Amazon, adds: "In an era of rapid technological change, collaboration between like-minded industry peers is essential to promote customer trust and realise the full benefit of technology on the economy and society.

"We are joining the Trusted Tech Alliance to reinforce our continued commitment to provide customers with trusted, secure and resilient technology."

Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, frames the alliance as a response to geopolitical challenges facing AI development.

"In the current geopolitical environment, it is critical that like-minded companies work together to protect security and advance high global standards to preserve trust in technology across borders," he says.

"Based not on the nationality of the provider but on shared commitments to customers, this alliance brings together leading companies around clear, verifiable principles."

Why trust matters for AI

For organisations deploying AI systems and the infrastructure that supports them, trust is increasingly tied to competitive advantage and market adoption.

Justin Hotard, President and CEO of Nokia, says: "AI is accelerating change across the technology stack and raising the bar for trust.

"Networks and critical infrastructure must be secure, resilient and interoperable by design.

"We're joining with industry partners through the Trusted Tech Alliance to reinforce that foundation as intelligence scales globally."

It's not just brands that have been established for decades that are singing to this tune, however.

Emerging tech players like Anthropic and Nscale echo this message, particularly in the context of AI.

"As AI systems grow more powerful – driving innovation, accelerating economic growth and reshaping national security – the US and its allies and partners must ensure that the world's most widely adopted models are safe, reliable, trustworthy and transparently developed," says Sarah Heck, Anthropic's Head of External Affairs.

"Anthropic is proud to join the Trusted Tech Alliance and to support American AI leadership and advance common principles for trusted AI alongside like-minded partners."

Josh Payne, Founder and CEO of Nscale, adds: "AI infrastructure is the foundation upon which innovation is built – and that foundation needs to be trusted and secure.

"Customers must have absolute confidence in where their data resides, how it is protected and who governs the systems powering their AI."

"At Nscale, our sovereign AI infrastructure is purpose-built to deliver that assurance, combining performance with rigorous security, transparency and local control. 

"We’re proud to partner with organisations around the world to advance AI in a way that is secure, trusted and built for long-term resilience."