Why ITU’s legacy still shapes our digital world
In an age where AI is redrawing the global balance of power, the story of an institution founded 160 years ago may hold the key to navigating our digital future.
On 17 May 1865, 20 European countries came together to create the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a response to the tedious and inefficient telegraph system that required messages to be rewritten at every border. This practical move—born not from idealism but necessity—paved the way for a global communications framework that continues to underpin today’s digital world.
From the first bilateral agreements to modern platforms like Instagram and AI tools like ChatGPT, the same core principle remains: international cooperation is essential to seamless communication. Despite revolutionary advances in technology, diplomacy has changed slowly.
Yet ITU’s mission—to balance national interests with shared global connectivity—has remained constant. For instance, debates over digital privacy and cybersecurity today echo those from the 19th century over telegraph regulation.
Even as US policies toward multilateralism shift, its consistent support for the ITU showcases how diplomacy can maintain continuity across centuries of change. As Jovan Kurbalija notes in his recent blog post, understanding this long arc of diplomatic history is essential for making sense of today’s tech governance debates.
Crises often trigger breakthroughs in multilateral governance. The Titanic disaster, for example, catalysed swift international regulation of radio communication after years of stagnation. In our interconnected AI-driven era, similar ‘Titanic moments’ could once again force urgent global agreements.
That is especially pressing as technology continues to reshape power structures, favouring innovators and standard-setters, and reviving the age-old race between digital ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots.’
Why does it matter?
ITU’s 160-year legacy is a testament to the endurance of diplomacy amid technological disruption. While tools evolve—from telegraphs to AI—the diplomatic mission to resolve conflicts and foster cooperation remains unchanged. The story of ITU, as Kurbalija reflects, is not just about commemorating the past, but recognising the urgent need for global cooperation in shaping our digital future.
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