Silicon Valley Nordic Beat: Weekly Buzz & Insights
Editor’s Column: Did Crown Prince Haakon Charter a Jet to San Francisco?
Last April, Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon traveled to Silicon Valley to discuss energy, green transportation, and AI. Just two months earlier, Sweden’s Crown Princess made a similar trip to Silicon Valley to inaugurate the new consulate and talk about the green transition and AI. But there are some differences, and some questions left to be answered.
Media plays a crucial role in examining how taxpayers’ money is spent.
For the Swedish Crown Princess, the expenses turned out to be quite modest. She flew business class and received some VIP treatment at the airport, but no surprising luxury. The Swedish Foreign Office promptly shared all related documents when asked, adhering to the Nordic principle of public access to information.
I also received an evaluation of the Swedish Crown Princess’s visit titled "Jackpot for Sweden in California." It talks about strengthened relationships and the rapid advancements in AI. However, it also gave me the feeling of listening to a 1950s radio report: “During the visit, the royal couple became the first royals in the world to ride in one of San Francisco’s fully self-driving cars, which now operate as regular taxis in the city.”
About a month ago, I began requesting documents showing costs, invoices, and other documents related to Crown Prince Haakon’s visit. Initially, I was told that the information was not yet available. Then, I was referred to the consulate in San Francisco, and then to other people and emails at the foreign department in Oslo. Today, I requested a written decision explaining why these documents have not been shared promptly, as required by law in both Sweden and Norway.
Honestly, it’s not just about the money anymore. It’s about the principle of openness and transparency. Transparency is essential for democracy, and the trips were paid with tax money.
So, two questions remain: Did Crown Prince Haakon charter a private jet to fly to San Francisco? And are princes and princesses the best representatives for Sweden and Norway to showcase the Nordics as modern countries and leaders in AI, transportation, and green technology?
