IGF Daily Summary
for Monday, 16 December 2024
Dear readers,
Welcome to our daily report from Day 1 at IGF 2024! Yesterday’s discussions were very diverse, touching on topics that shape the very fabric of our digital world, from the complexities of AI governance to the frontiers of the interplanetary internet, highlighting both challenges and opportunities lying ahead.
A key theme emerging from the sessions was the urgent need to accelerate progress in bridging digital divides – in its multiple dimensions – across the globe. As the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union pointed out, a third of humanity remains offline, and so there is a need for more targeted interventions and investments in affordable digital infrastructure. This reality serves as a reminder that IGF discussions have real-world implications for billions of people.
The rapid advancement of AI technologies has been another hot topic, with debates ranging from ethical considerations in AI development to its impact on journalism and media. These discussions highlight the delicate balance we must strike between innovation and responsible governance.
Speakers emphasised the importance of preserving a multistakeholder approach to internet and digital governance. The CEO of ICANN affirmed the proven success of the multistakeholder model. The UN Secretary-General highlighted the role of the IGF as the primary multistakeholder platform for discussions on internet governance issues and noted that the ‘work and the voice’ of the forum will be critical as the implementation of the recently adopted Global Digital Compact (GDC) starts.
The discussion also touched on challenges such as online hate speech, the potential misuse of AI, and the threats posed by deepfakes. Protecting human rights in the digital space was a recurring concern, with speakers stressing the importance of ensuring that technology serves humanity while balancing innovation with privacy concerns. Other debates touched on the role of regulatory sandboxes in fostering innovation or the challenges of creating a greener internet.
In the summary below, you will find insights on these and other topics. We invite you to explore these topics in depth and consider how they intersect with your own work and interests.
Please let us know your comments and suggestions at [email protected]!
The Digital Watch team, with support from DiploAI
Summary of discussions |
Digital inclusion and bridging divides
The persistent challenge of digital divides, including access, gender, and AI capabilities, was a recurring theme across multiple sessions. In the opening session, speakers emphasised the need to address various aspects of the digital divide to ensure equitable development and protect democratic principles. It was also stressed that a third of humanity remains offline, requiring targeted interventions.
The session on global digital adoption further explored this theme, with speakers noting that only 40% of Africans are connected to the internet due to infrastructure and affordability challenges. The importance of connectivity for economic development was also underscored: Digital technologies are driving economic growth, helping in the fight against poverty, and making information more accessible. There was a call for a holistic approach to digital inclusion, addressing not only infrastructure but also digital literacy, capacity building, and the development of locally relevant content and services.
The potential of digital public infrastructure (DPI) to promote financial inclusion was explored, with examples from Brazil’s PIX system and India’s Unified Payments Interface demonstrating how DPI can enable widespread digital transactions and financial services. However, speakers also emphasised the need for robust consumer protection measures and digital literacy programmes to ensure equitable access and use of these technologies. Ensuring that DPI systems are truly consumer-centric and inclusive remains key.
The session on global digital adoption highlighted the importance of connectivity for economic development: digital technologies are driving economic growth, helping in the fight against poverty, and making information more accessible. However, with one-third of humanity still offline, there is a need for more targeted interventions and investment in affordable digital infrastructure and services to bridge the persistent gap.
AI governance and ethics
AI featured high during the kick-off day of the IGF. In the keynote address, the UN Secretary-General frequently referred to AI while introducing the Global Digital Compact as a blueprint for humanity’s digital future and emphasising that ‘digital technology must serve humanity, not the other way around’.
Most of the discussions on AI followed established narratives, including: dealing with opportunities and challenges, balancing innovation and regulation, the need for a holistic and comprehensive AI governance, trustworthy AI, transparency and explainability, etc.
Novelty emerged in new angles and emphasis, including the development of bottom-up AI based on local knowledge, balancing global standards with specificities of local contexts, and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
There was also a focus on AI divides and the importance of building local AI ecosystems and capacity, particularly in the Global South. Addressing compute, data, and algorithmic divides to ensure equitable participation in the AI-driven economy was suggested as a way forward.
The relevance of data for AI was discussed from various perspectives: data localisation and AI, creating a universal platform for data sharing for AI, and the use of synthetic data. There were also focused debates on specific impacts of AI on wide strata of society including journalism, education, and security.
In a typical AI governance dilemma between strict regulations and no oversight, there is the emergence of a possible middle ground centred around a mix of voluntary reporting frameworks and codes of conduct.
Cybersecurity and digital resilience
The importance of cybersecurity and digital resilience was emphasised across several sessions. In the opening session, speakers underscored the need to address challenges posed by sophisticated cyberattacks. The value of international cooperation, including initiatives like the Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) was highlighted. The importance of designing systems that are resilient to cyber threats was also stressed. The need for capacity building, especially in developing countries, was emphasised to ensure global digital resilience.
The session on countering the use of ICT for terrorist purposes explored the evolving nature of terrorist threats in the digital space. Terrorists are becoming increasingly entrepreneurial and imaginative in their use of technology. Speakers noted that terrorist groups increasingly exploit social media, video games, and emerging technologies. The discussion emphasised the need for international cooperation, capacity development, and a multistakeholder approach to address these complex challenges effectively.
The protection of children’s rights and safety in digital environments was also discussed. A central theme was the need to balance protection with children’s rights to access, participation, and information online. Age-appropriate safeguards, digital literacy programs, and robust reporting mechanisms were identified as critical tools for creating safer virtual environments. However, unresolved challenges remain, such as addressing harmful content, cyberbullying, and the complexities of age verification without excessive data collection.
Digital cooperation and governance
The IGF itself was created as a multistakeholder platform for internet governance, and the value of the multistakeholder approaches to governance has been reiterated over the years in forum discussions. So it is no surprise that this topic is addressed extensively this time too. On Day 1 we saw it referenced in multiple sessions, from the very opening session which reiterated the importance of the IGF, to a high-level session which called for multistakeholder involvement in the implementation of the Global Digital Compact, and a discussion on the internet governance landscape in the Arab world, where speakers emphasised the need for dialogue and collaboration among all stakeholders in shaping internet policies and governance frameworks.
The interplay between GDC and WSIS processes came up in several discussions. In the parliamentary track, for instance, there were reflections on how the GDC builds on the WSIS legacy, while a dedicated workshop noted the need for meaningful synergies between the GDC and WSIS, with calls for the IGF to serve as a flexible and ongoing mechanism for stakeholder engagement in addressing critical digital issues. There were also suggestions to explore the possibility of integrating GDC objectives into the existing WSIS framework, and to integrate GDC follow-up in the WSIS follow-up and review process.
A strong message coming out from several discussions was the need to translate global digital governance frameworks, like the WSIS outcome documents and the GDC, into actionable policies at the national and local levels. The adoption of such documents at the UN level – while an achievement in itself – needs to be followed up by concrete measures and actions if we are to achieve the vision for a ‘people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented information society’ (agreed at WSIS) and an ‘inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe and secure digital future for all’ (outlined in the GDC).
The discussion on interplanetary networks took the governance debates to outer space, highlighting the need for multistakeholder models in developing governance frameworks for interplanetary communication.
Content policy
The workshop on tackling disinformation in electoral contexts emphasised the need for multistakeholder collaboration in addressing this challenge. Speakers highlighted the importance of digital literacy programs, fact-checking initiatives, and transparent platform policies to combat disinformation online. The discussion also touched on the role of AI in both spreading and combating disinformation, underscoring the need for responsible AI development and deployment.
The rise of AI-generated journalism poses a threat to traditional news websites by potentially cannibalizing traffic. Speakers discussed various regulatory approaches to ensure the sustainability of quality journalism in the digital age, while also addressing the challenges posed by AI-generated content and the evolving nature of content distribution.
Sustainability and environment
Sustainability and environmental concerns were woven throughout various discussions, reflecting growing awareness of the intersection between digital technologies and environmental challenges.
A significant focus was placed on the environmental impact of the digital sector, which currently contributes approximately 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. There was also an emphasis on the urgent need to leverage technology, particularly AI, to mitigate these emissions, with the potential to reduce overall emissions by 10% if green digital standards are developed and implemented effectively.
Other key themes included the challenges posed by e-waste, as projections indicated that without intervention, global e-waste could reach 82 billion tons by 2030. The discussions highlighted the importance of establishing comprehensive e-waste management policies, as only a fraction of countries currently have effective strategies in place. The need for a circular economy in digital resource management was underscored, advocating for practices that minimise waste and promote sustainability.
Moreover, the role of digital platforms and emerging technologies in contributing to both environmental challenges and solutions was a recurring topic. The discussions called for a balanced approach that recognises the dual nature of technology’s impact on the environment – while it can drive efficiencies, it also poses risks that need to be managed through robust governance frameworks. There was agreement that collaborative efforts across various stakeholders are essential to address these pressing issues and to integrate environmental considerations into digital policy and governance moving forward.
In a dedicated workshop exploring ways to make the internet greener and more sustainable, there was a call for stronger collaboration across different stakeholder groups to develop a greener internet.
The environmental impact of digital infrastructure was a recurring theme. In a session on ESG enhancement, it was noted that 80% of IT’s environmental footprint comes from hardware production. Speakers emphasised the importance of sustainable IT procurement and the development of frameworks to minimize energy needs and emissions.
The potential of AI to accelerate progress on sustainable development goals (SDGs) was highlighted as well, with estimates being presented that AI could accelerate progress on SDGs by 70%, enabling real-time data analysis for policymaking, addressing structural inequalities, aiding disaster response, and helping with climate prediction and resource mobilisation.
Concepts and statistics
Space technology for earthly problems: Delay-tolerant networking (DTN) used for deep space communication has potential applications for connecting remote terrestrial areas.
Digital Public Infrastructure: Brazil’s PIX system processes over 2 billion transactions per month, while India’s Unified Payments Interface processes over 10 billion monthly transactions.
Metaverse: 51% of metaverse users are under 16; this calls for child-centric policies and safeguards in virtual environments.
Tech environmental footprint: 80% of the footprint of IT is in the production of hardware. So we need to find ways to produce and sell less hardware.
AI for SDGs: AI could accelerate progress on SDGs by 70%, enabling real-time data analysis for policymaking, addressing structural inequalities, aiding disaster response, and helping with climate prediction and resource mobilisation.
Metaphor of the day
The analogy between AI and water: Just as water sort of nourishes us and helps us to grow our crops, AI also helps us to be more efficient and digest significant amounts of information.
Thought-provoking ideas and questions
- Digital technology must serve humanity, not the other way around.
- Are we sure that the digital revolution will be progress? Not just innovation, not just power, but progress for humankind?
- The two worlds of intergovernmentalism and multistakeholderism, they can live together very smoothly. They are two sides of a coin. No side can work without the other.
- There is a need to devise an AI governance model that can tackle three main divides: the compute divide, the data divide, and the algorithmic divide.
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Have you heard something new during the discussions, but we’ve missed it? Send us your suggestions at [email protected].
Join us today! |
A kind reminder to join Diplo’s and GIP’s sessions and gatherings today:
- Leveraging AI tools to explore IGF knowledge | 10:30 – 11:30 (IGF Village stage)
- Informal get-together for Diplo alumni and friends, where we’ll present our most recent publication, ‘Unpacking Global Digital Compact: Actors, Issues, and Processes’ | 14:40 –15:10, Lightning talks room
- Intelligent machines and society | 16:30 – 17:30, Workshop room 7
If you’re joining the meeting online, check out our space in the virtual village.
If you’re attending the IGF in Riyadh, make sure to drop by our Diplo and GIP booth, numbered U-21.
Do you like what you’re reading? Bookmark us at https://dig.watch/event/internet-governance-forum-2024 and tweet us @DigWatchWorld
Have you heard something new during the discussions, but we’ve missed it? Send us your suggestions at [email protected].