Development

Reimagining WSIS: a digital future for all

As the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) nears its 20-year milestone, global leaders gathered at IGF 2024 in Riyadh to reflect on achievements and lay the ground for a unified, inclusive digital future. Amid optimism over growing connectivity—from 1 billion internet users in 2005 to 5.5 billion today—discussions underlined the pressing need to address unresolved challenges, from digital divides to the ethical governance of emerging technologies like AI.

A key takeaway was WSIS’s enduring success in fostering multistakeholder collaboration. Stefan Schnorr, Germany’s State Secretary, lauded the summit for championing inclusivity by saying that ‘WSIS pioneered a framework where governments, private sectors, and civil society shaped digital cooperation together.’ The Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a cornerstone WSIS achievement, was celebrated for evolving into a platform addressing critical issues, including AI, misinformation, and connectivity gaps.

However, speakers stressed that progress remains uneven. Nthati Moorosi, Lesotho’s Minister of Information, told a sobering story of disparity: ‘We still have students sitting under trees to learn. Connecting schools is still a long journey for us.’ In other words, connectivity issues are exacerbated by affordability, skills deficits, and energy infrastructure gaps, particularly in the Global South. Thus, addressing such divides is central to aligning WSIS priorities with the recently adopted Global Digital Compact (GDC).

Environmental sustainability emerged as another important discussion, with concerns about the digital sector’s carbon footprint and e-waste. Robert Opp from UNDP emphasised that balancing digital innovation with ecological responsibility must guide the next phase: ‘Data centres alone emit as much carbon as entire nations.’

The discussions also spotlighted inclusivity, particularly in AI and data governance. Many speakers, including Angel González Sanz (UNCTAD), warned of a widening imbalance: ‘118 countries are excluded from AI governance discussions, risking further global inequality.’ A call for greater representation of the Global South resonated again across panellists, marking the necessity for equitable participation in shaping global digital frameworks.

Looking ahead, WSIS+20 will focus on adapting governance frameworks to address emerging technologies while keeping human rights, trust, and digital inclusion at the forefront. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ITU Secretary-General, offered a rallying appeal by saying: ‘The digital future isn’t written yet, but we can write it together with inclusivity, security, and sustainability at its core.’

As the WSIS process evolves, stakeholders emphasise learning from the past while crafting forward-looking strategies, and IGF remains the crossroads platform for dialogue and a catalyst for solutions to ensure no one is left behind in the ongoing digital era.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Digital futures at a crossroads: aligning WSIS and the Global Digital Compact

The path toward a cohesive digital future was the central theme at the ‘From WSIS to GDC: Harmonising Strategies Towards Coordination‘ session held at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024 in Riyadh. Experts, policymakers, and civil society representatives converged to address how the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) framework and the Global Digital Compact (GDC) can work in unison. At the heart of the debate lay two critical imperatives: coordination and avoiding fragmentation.

Panelists, including Jorge Cancio of the Swiss Government and David Fairchild of Canada, underscored the IGF’s central role as a multistakeholder platform for dialogue. However, concerns about its diminishing mandate and inadequate funding surfaced repeatedly. Fairchild warned of ‘a centralisation of digital governance processes,’ hinting at geopolitical forces that could undermine inclusive, global cooperation. Cancio urged an updated ‘Swiss Army knife’ approach to WSIS, where existing mechanisms, like the IGF, are strengthened rather than duplicated.

The session also highlighted emerging challenges since WSIS’s 2005 inception. Amrita Choudhury from MAG and Anita Gurumurthy of IT for Change emphasised that AI, data governance, and widening digital divides demand urgent attention. Gurumurthy lamented that ‘neo-illiberalism,’ characterised by corporate greed and authoritarian politics, threatens the vision of a people-centred information society. Meanwhile, Gitanjali Sah of ITU reaffirmed WSIS’s achievements, pointing to successes like digital inclusion through telecentres and distance learning.

Amid these reflections, the IGF emerged as an essential event for harmonising WSIS and GDC goals. Panellists, including Nigel Cassimire from the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, proposed that the IGF develop performance targets to implement GDC commitments effectively. Yet, as Jason Pielemeier of the Global Network Initiative cautioned, the IGF faces threats of co-optation in settings hostile to open dialogue, which ‘weakens its strength.’

Despite these tensions, hope remained for creative solutions and renewed international solidarity. The session concluded with a call to refocus on WSIS’s original principles—ensuring no one is left behind in the digital future. As Anita Gurumurthy aptly summarised: ‘We reject bad politics and poor economics. What we need is a solidarity vision of interdependence and mutual reciprocity.’

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Global dialogue on AI governance highlights the need for an inclusive, coordinated international approach

Global AI governance was the focus of a high-level forum at the IGF 2024 in Riyadh that brought together leaders from government, industry, civil society, and youth organisations. Discussions explored the current state of AI development, highlighting challenges such as bias, security risks, and the environmental impact of AI technologies. The need for global frameworks to govern AI responsibly was a central theme, with participants emphasising collaboration across regions and sectors.

Speakers stressed the importance of balancing innovation with regulation to ensure ethical and inclusive AI development. The discussion highlighted inequalities between developed and developing regions, with particular attention to Africa’s challenges in infrastructure and skills. Thelma Quaye, representing Smart Africa, noted the continent’s lack of data centres and trained professionals, which hinders its participation in the global AI landscape.

Data privacy, ownership, and localisation emerged as critical governance issues. Open-source AI was presented as a potential solution to foster innovation and flexibility, particularly for emerging economies. Audrey Plonk of the OECD stressed the need for inclusive frameworks that address regional disparities while promoting cultural and linguistic diversity in AI technologies.

Youth perspectives featured prominently, with contributions from Leydon Shantseko of Zambia Youth IGN and Levi, a youth representative. They highlighted the role of young people in shaping AI’s future and called for governance structures that include younger voices. Panellists agreed on the necessity of involving diverse stakeholders in decision-making processes to ensure equitable AI policies.

Speakers also examined the role of tax incentives and enforcement mechanisms in supporting compliance with AI regulations. Melinda, a policy expert from Meta, underscored the importance of transparency and voluntary reporting frameworks to guide effective policy decisions. Andy Beaudoin of France echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for partnerships between public and private sectors.

The forum concluded with a call for harmonised efforts to create a unified, inclusive approach to AI governance. Yoichi Iida, who moderated the session, emphasised the urgency of addressing governance gaps while remaining optimistic about AI’s potential to drive global progress. Participants agreed that collaboration is key to ensuring AI benefits all regions equitably and responsibly.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Innovation and inclusion drive IGF talks on Global Digital Compact

The discussion at the Internet Governance Forum 2024 in Riyadh on implementing the Global Digital Compact (GDC) delved into the challenges and opportunities surrounding digital transformation, emphasising the need for inclusive and locally grounded strategies. Speakers from UN agencies, governments, and civil society stressed the importance of addressing the worldwide multifaceted digital divides.

An audience member underscored this point, urging attention not only to infrastructural gaps but also to divides in policy, gender, age, and rural-urban access: ‘We’re not just talking about digital divides; we must look at the digital policy divides, digital gender divides, digital rural and urban divides, and digital age divides.’

The discussion also highlighted the need for local action to make global initiatives effective. Olaf Kolkman of the Internet Society captured this sentiment, stating, ‘Think global with the GDC, but really, the action has to be local.’ That approach was echoed by other panellists, who called for integrating GDC implementation with established frameworks such as the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

Cynthia Lesufi from South Africa’s Mission to the UN emphasised aligning the GDC with WSIS+20 to streamline efforts, while Henriette from the Alliance for Progressive Communications advocated for leveraging the review process to assess progress and set future directions.

Capacity development and governance of emerging technologies also emerged as central themes. Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer of UNDP, stressed the importance of skills development and creating frameworks for technologies like AI and data governance.

Isabel De Sola from the Office of the Tech Envoy added that promoting content diversity in digital spaces is crucial. As noted by Cynthia Lesufi, public-private partnerships are essential to achieving these goals, particularly in bridging the digital divides in the Global South.

Why does it matter?

Despite the progress, significant challenges remain, such as reaching marginalised communities, balancing global initiatives with local needs, and measuring the success of digital transformation. However, the discussion concluded on a hopeful note, emphasising the need to combine global coherence with grassroots efforts. As Kolkman put it, the path forward is ensuring that ‘global frameworks translate into meaningful local action.’

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Responsible AI development highlighted at IGF 2024

At the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, experts from across the globe gathered to tackle the complexities of transparency and explainability in AI. Moderated by Latifa Al Abdulkarim, the panel delved into these crucial concepts, highlighting their role in fostering trust and accountability in AI systems.

Doreen Bogdan Martin of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) distinguished transparency as the process of designing and deploying AI systems, while explainability pertains to justifying AI decisions. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, executive president of the International Center of Artificial Intelligence of Morroco, added, ‘Transparency is about how a system meets expectations, while explainability is more technical—it justifies decisions made by the system.’

National and international initiatives showcased diverse approaches to ethical AI governance. President of the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA), Abdulah Bin Sharaf Alghamdi, outlined the nation’s progress in creating AI ethics frameworks and global partnerships. Gong Ke, from China’s Institute for Next-Generation AI, emphasised strategies to ensure responsible AI growth, while El Fallah Seghrouchni detailed Morocco’s efforts to address linguistic diversity challenges.

On the global stage, Doreen Bogdan Martin emphasised ITU’s collaboration on AI standards and sustainable initiatives. At the same time, UN representative Li Junhua spotlighted AI’s transformative potential for real-time policymaking, disaster response, and addressing inequality.

The discussion also tackled challenges in achieving transparency and explainability. Complexity in AI models, data privacy issues, and gaps in regulation were recurring themes. ‘Regulations need to adapt to the rapid evolution of AI,’ El Fallah Seghrouchni stressed.

Additionally, linguistic diversity and talent shortages in developing regions were identified as critical hurdles. Yet, participants remained optimistic about AI’s potential to accelerate sustainable development goals (SDGs), with Bogdan Martin noting, ‘AI could boost progress on SDGs by 70%,’ citing examples like AI glasses empowering a young girl in India and innovations in West Africa doubling agricultural yields.

Concluding the session, panellists called for global collaboration, capacity-building, and the development of frugal, inclusive, and trustworthy AI systems. Bogdan Martin emphasised the need for standardised frameworks to ensure ethical practices, while El Fallah Seghrouchni challenged the reliance on large datasets, advocating for quality over quantity.

Why does it matter?

The forum underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue and international cooperation in shaping a human-centric AI future that balances innovation with ethical accountability.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

Xiaohongshu redefines China’s e-commerce with a focus on luxury and aspirational products

For eight years, Tera Feng has shared her glamorous Shanghai lifestyle with over 500,000 followers on Chinese social media. Her audience, primarily financially independent urban women, has proven to be a valuable market for high-end and niche brands. In recent months, Feng’s switch to livestream selling on Xiaohongshu, a platform similar to Instagram, has seen her sell products ranging from luxury suits priced at 15,000 yuan ($2,060) to premium rice costing 60 yuan per kilogram.

Xiaohongshu has long been used for lifestyle inspiration but has struggled to find success in e-commerce. As Chinese consumers on other platforms like Taobao and Pinduoduo hunt for discounts, Xiaohongshu attracts a different crowd — users willing to spend on quality and aspiration-driven products. Influencers and brands are embracing this trend, with companies like L’Oreal and Coach launching stores and partnering with livestream hosts to drive sales. These livestreams adopt a relaxed, conversational style, contrasting the aggressive sales tactics on other platforms.

Brands are seeing tangible results. For example, Ms Min, an independent fashion label, experienced a spike in sales after actress Dong Jie featured it in a livestream. Marketing agencies like Magic Advertising, which works with luxury clients like Max Mara and LVMH, are also eyeing Xiaohongshu for growth. While analysts predict the platform’s annual sales could surpass $100 billion by 2025, experts suggest it will remain a niche player compared to China’s e-commerce giants like Tmall and JD.com. Nonetheless, Xiaohongshu’s ability to connect luxury brands with eager, affluent consumers marks it as a growing force in China’s online retail landscape.

Global connectivity takes centre stage at the IGF 2024 in Riyadh

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2024 day first in Riyadh opened with one of the key sessions titled ‘Global Access, Global Progress: Managing the Challenges of Global Digital Adoption’, bringing together prominent panellists from government, private sectors, and civil society to address one of the world’s most pressing issues—bridging the digital divide. Moderated by Timea Suto, Global Digital Policy Lead at the International Chamber of Commerce, the session explored the need for universal internet connectivity, its life-changing impact, and the challenges of ensuring meaningful participation in the digital age.

Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director at Paradigm Initiative, highlighted the transformative power of connectivity with inspiring stories. ‘Connectivity is not just a privilege; it can mean life or death,’ he emphasised, sharing the success of individuals in underserved communities who leveraged digital access to escape poverty and access vital healthcare. Thelma Quaye of Smart Africa echoed his sentiment, stressing that affordability remains a significant barrier, particularly in Africa, where only 40% are connected despite wide mobile coverage. ‘Governments must invest in infrastructure to reach the last mile,’ she urged, citing the need for public-private partnerships and relevant content that empowers users economically.

The discussion expanded to community-driven solutions, with Sally Wentworth, President of the Internet Society, showcasing the successes of locally managed networks. She highlighted a project in Tanzania that trained thousands in digital skills, demonstrating the potential of bottom-up connectivity.

Japan’s Vice Minister, Dr Takuo Imagawa, shared Japan’s achievements in near-universal broadband coverage, pointing to combining government subsidies and competitive policies as a scalable model. Emerging technologies like AI were discussed as necessary tools to reduce the digital divide, but speakers cautioned that they must remain inclusive and address societal needs.

On the economic front, Shivnath Thukral, VP for Public Policy at Meta India, highlighted open-source AI technologies as solutions for education, agriculture, and linguistic inclusion. ‘AI can bridge both the connectivity and knowledge gaps, delivering localised, affordable solutions at scale,’ he said. Meanwhile, Tami Bhaumik of Roblox underscored the importance of digital literacy and safety, particularly for young users. ‘Technology is powerful, but education is key to ensuring people use it responsibly,’ she noted, advocating for collaboration between governments, tech companies, and educators.

Why does it matter?

The panellists expressed clearly that global digital adoption requires cooperation across sectors, inclusive policymaking, and a focus on empowering local communities. As stakeholders debated solutions, one message emerged clearly: connectivity alone is not enough. For the digital world to deliver real progress, investments in skills, affordability, and digital literacy must go hand-in-hand with technological innovation. That’s why IGF remains a vital platform to unite diverse perspectives and drive actionable solutions to bridge the digital divide.

All transcripts from the Internet Governance Forum sessions can be found on dig.watch.

AI technology aims to cut hospital visits for COPD patients

A pioneering NHS trust in Hull and East Yorkshire is harnessing AI to enhance its chronic respiratory illness care. The Lenus COPD support system, introduced in March 2023, has already reduced hospital visits by 40% and aims for even greater improvements with the integration of AI.

The app enables patients to monitor their symptoms through regular self-assessments and offers direct messaging to NHS clinics. AI will soon analyse the collected data to identify patterns and potential triggers, enabling earlier interventions to prevent hospitalisation.

Professor Mike Crooks, who leads the service, emphasised the proactive nature of the system. The AI-driven insights allow clinics to deliver timely care, helping patients stabilise their health before conditions worsen.

Patients like Ruth, diagnosed with COPD at just 14, report transformative results. Frequent hospital visits have become a rarity, and the app has provided her with a reliable lifeline for clinical support.

xAI launches new Grok-2 chatbot on X

Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI, revealed on Saturday that the latest version of its Grok-2 chatbot will be available for free to all users of the social media platform X. The new version of Grok-2 is part of xAI’s continued efforts to integrate AI technology into the platform, providing users with more advanced and efficient tools for interaction.

While the chatbot will be free for everyone, Premium and Premium+ users will benefit from higher usage limits and will be the first to experience new features as they are rolled out. This tiered approach ensures that paying users receive an enhanced experience, with priority access to future updates and capabilities.

xAI has been quietly testing the new Grok-2 model for several weeks, fine-tuning its performance and features in preparation for the public release. The improved version is expected to offer better capabilities and user interactions, marking a significant step forward in AI development for social media platforms.

Google unveils Gemini 2.0 and futuristic AI applications

Google has launched the second generation of its AI model, Gemini, along with innovative applications like real-time AI-powered eyeglasses and a universal assistant, Project Astra. CEO Sundar Pichai called it the dawn of a ‘new agentic era,’ where virtual assistants can autonomously perform complex tasks under user supervision.

Gemini 2.0 now powers features such as AI Overviews in Google Search and includes advancements in image and audio processing. Google also revealed tools like Project Mariner for automating web tasks and Jules, an AI tool for software coding.

The company’s focus on embedding AI in widely used products like Search, YouTube, and Android is seen as a strategy to outpace competitors like OpenAI. Its Project Astra prototype can process multilingual conversations and integrate data from Maps and Lens. Testing on AI-enabled eyeglasses marks Google’s return to wearable tech, challenging rivals like Meta in the augmented reality space.