The internet, with its ever-expanding influence on communication, commerce, and social interaction, demands a robust and adaptable governance framework. However, the current multistakeholder model struggles to keep pace with the rapid evolution of the online landscape, particularly the challenges of: Balancing diverse stakeholder priorities Enforcing established norms and principles Addressing novel governance issues arising from new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). This talk explores the potential of integrating AI into the digital governance framework. We will delve into how AI-powered solutions can: Facilitate consensus building by analyzing stakeholder positions and identifying common ground. Enhance enforcement by monitoring online activity and flagging potential violations. Proactively identify emerging governance issues related to AI and IoT through data analysis and risk prediction. The discussion will explore the ethical considerations and potential pitfalls of utilizing AI in governance. Ultimately, the talk will propose a future vision for digital governance that leverages the power of AI to ensure a safe, inclusive, and responsible online environment. Facilitating Interaction in a Hybrid Talk: 1. Interactive Platform: I'll be leveraging a robust hybrid event platform that seamlessly integrates live Q&A. Imagine this: an on-stage moderator acts as a bridge between the audiences. Online attendees can submit questions directly through the platform, while the moderator can also take questions raised by those physically present. The platform will display all questions in a unified stream, ensuring no voice goes unheard. 2. Polling and Live Feedback: Let's get everyone involved! Before the presentation even starts, I'll launch a quick poll using the platform to gauge the audience's existing knowledge on the topic. Throughout the talk, I'll sprinkle in real-time polls to keep everyone engaged. Imagine live charts and graphs dynamically updating as online and onsite attendees participate. This not only keeps things interesting but also allows me to tailor the discussion based on the audience's understanding. Afterward, we can wrap up with a concluding poll to gather valuable feedback on the session. 3. Backchannel Communication: To foster a sense of community and real-time exchange, I'll encourage everyone to utilize a dedicated chat channel within the platform. This allows online attendees to discuss the presentation live, ask clarifying questions amongst themselves, and share insights. Onsite attendees can be prompted to join the conversation as well, creating a truly interactive space. 4. Breakout Rooms (Optional): If time permits, I'd love to incorporate breakout room sessions! These smaller, focused discussions can be mixed groups with both online and onsite attendees. Imagine a virtual room where everyone, regardless of location, can delve deeper into specific aspects of the topic, fostering a richer exchange of knowledge and interaction. Designing the Session for Optimal Experience: Presentation Design: Forget blurry visuals! My presentation will be meticulously designed with clear, high-resolution elements that are easily readable from both a physical screen and a virtual platform. Everyone deserves a crystal-clear experience. Engaging Delivery: Lectures are out, conversation is in! I'll maintain a conversational tone throughout the presentation, peppering it with storytelling elements to keep both online and onsite audiences engaged. Think of it as a dynamic discussion, not a one-way lecture. Active Participation: No one gets left behind! I'll be posing questions directly to the online audience throughout the presentation, encouraging them to participate verbally or through the chat. This ensures everyone feels involved and their voices are heard. Recording Availability: Life happens, and sometimes you can't attend live. No worries! I'll have the entire session recorded and made available to all attendees after the event. This allows those who couldn't attend live or want to revisit the content at their own pace to benefit from the discussion. Complementary Online Tools: Social Media Integration: Let's take the conversation beyond the platform! I'll encourage the use of a designated event hashtag on social media platforms like Twitter. This allows online and onsite attendees to share their thoughts, spark discussions, and participate in a broader conversation surrounding the topic. Imagine a live feed of insights and perspectives! Live Captioning: Inclusion matters! To ensure accessibility for attendees with hearing impairments, both online and onsite, I'll be utilizing live captioning services. This way, everyone can follow the discussion in real-time. Collaborative Pad: Want to brainstorm together? I might utilize a collaborative online document or whiteboard tool. Imagine a virtual space where both online and onsite attendees can contribute ideas and brainstorm in real-time. This fosters a sense of shared creativity and problem-solving. By implementing these strategies, I aim to create a dynamic and inclusive session that dismantles the physical barrier between online and onsite attendees. We'll foster interaction, a sense of shared experience, and ensure everyone gets the most out of this exciting discussion on digital governance!
This in-person lightning talk provides an introductory overview of digital financial inclusion, focusing on how the adoption of open, global, interoperable payment networks can address existing barriers while leveraging opportunities to enhance financial inclusion. The session will address key questions: How can interoperable payment systems reduce the digital divide in financial services? Which payment systems exist today, and which serve domestic markets within the Global South exclusively? How can we bridge or connect disparate financial ecosystems and Global North and Global South payment networks? The lightning talk will delve into the practical benefits of seamless transactions across different networks and currencies, highlighting how such integration can provide underserved populations with better access to financial services. Moreover, the talk will consider the broader implications of these advancements for the evolution of the Internet and the digital economy by 2030. By enabling more inclusive financial practices, these technologies are not only transforming individual lives but are also shaping global economic structures, promoting sustainable growth, and enhancing socio-economic equity. The overall objective for this session is to provide audience members with foundational knowledge for understanding the strategic importance of financial technologies in driving forward the goals of economic inclusivity and development within the digital age. As lightning talks are fully in-person events, this will not be a hybrid session.
In this talk, we explore the intricate dynamics between artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in shaping modern disinformation and influence operations. As AI technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, its capabilities to generate and disseminate information have evolved, presenting both challenges and opportunities for information integrity. The presentation delves into how AI algorithms can be employed to create and spread highly convincing fake news and deepfakes, undermining public trust and distorting democratic processes. Additionally, the discussion will cover the use of AI in detecting and countering these threats, highlighting cutting-edge technologies and methodologies that can identify and mitigate malicious content online. The talk aims to provide a balanced perspective, illustrating how AI acts as a double-edged sword in the digital information ecosystem. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the ethical considerations, potential regulations, and the critical need for international collaboration to harness AI responsibly in the fight against disinformation. This session is crucial for policymakers, technology experts, and concerned citizens aiming to stay informed about the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and its implications for global security and governance. The speaker is only onsite. online participants will have the possibility to follow the talk by video streaming. They will have possibility to ask a questions using the text chat. Any platform is possible to be used: Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Temas
This lightening talk analyses the evolving landscape of national AI policies in sub-Saharan Africa, the influence of transnational actors on these policies, and the parallels that can be drawn with the 'Brussels effect' of the GDPR and DSA. We explore how we can improve African digital governance for the Internet We Want. Big Data and what effective models of multi-stakeholder governance would look like in this context. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are reshaping how governance is conceived, negotiated and deployed. In Africa, expectations are mounting around the potential of AI/ML systems to make polities more efficient, accountable and resilient vis-à-vis developmental challenges and anticipated environmental shocks. Although currently at an experimental stage, most AI-driven initiatives are catalyzing the attention of national governments, institutional donors and corporate actors. But while national agendas and policy strategies are being laid out, there is still a lack of clarity on how to prevent or minimize the negative externalities that a growing literature on AI/ML is highlighting. Scholarly concerns span from function creep, or the repurposing of citizen technologies and data for commercial or security aims, to the risk of reproducing pre-existing biases into predictive models, to an over-reliance of the public sector on corporate, and often foreign, players. In lightening talk, we present our research findings from surveys, interviews, and focus groups, which explores the multi-stakeholder governance of AI in Africa, focusing on the mutual shaping of politics and digital technologies in Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. We will discuss the Internet We Want from an African perspective, exploring how policymakers, the private sector and international donors influence the trajectories of AI agendas and the role of local normative and governance frameworks in shaping their implementation. 1) How will you facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees? One organizer is entirely responsible for managing the online forum. This ensures that we cater the session to the needs of those attending online as well as in person. We will ensure that this organizer moderates the chat and acts as a conduit between those online and in person. The online moderator will monitor the chat, field questions, and provide feedback from online participants to the presenters. 2) How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants? Our session will involve sharing a PowerPoint that highlights our research findings. As a result, there will be a visual for both the online and in-person participants to follow along to. This will ensure that the data is relayed across our audiences. Moreover, we will run a hybrid Q&A to ensure that the voices of those online and in-person are given equal weight. We also assume that the live stream of the IGF will be available to those attending online. If not, we have the capacity to have our online moderator set up a livestream for the video, as they will be joining in person. 3) Please note any complementary online tools/platforms you plan to use to increase participation and interaction during the session. We will use the tools suggested by the IGF. We have run hybrid sessions successfully on Zoom, Teams, and Google Meets so we are confident in our ability to successfully use the online tools/platforms provided by the IGF. As a complement to the IGF tools/platforms, we intend to use Menti Meter to gain participant engagement and feedback during the lightening session. We will use those in the latter part of our lightening talk when we discuss the policy implications of our findings.
This session delves into the intricate ways modern AI technologies are exploited to provoke conflicts, disrupt societal harmony, and manipulate information landscapes. By examining real-world examples and discussing potential consequences, the session aims to shed light on the ethical implications of AI-driven conflict instigation. Participants will explore strategies to confront such challenges, including regulatory frameworks, ethical guidelines, and technological safeguards. This session aligns with IGF issue areas related to "Harnessing innovation and balancing risks in the digital space" and "Improving digital governance for the Internet We Want" . To enhance interaction between onsite and online participants we will employ a mix of technology and session design tactics. Interactive tools like live polling and Q&A session. Moderators will ensure balanced participation by alternating between onsite and online speakers.
Is the format of a live dialogue (intro-question-answer-comment) supposed to be about how far we have distanced ourselves from real life and the truth, being constantly online amid the chaos of content, fakes and truth, anonymous accounts, metavers, games, virtual offices and shops, virtual classrooms? As technologies and corporations, expressing their intention to take care of the maximum comfort of our lives have brought us closer to an antisocial lifestyle and loneliness. This light conversation aims to help all of us, taking advantage of all the benefits of the Internet, use the time spent online to be closer to each other and human communication, and not live in our own digital bubble. We will accept questions and comments from online participants. We plan the session so that participants and listeners have the opportunity to have an open dialogue and present their opinions. After this session, we will use all communication resources to spread the polarity of opinions and the most interesting statements and thoughts. If there is such a technical opportunity, we want to show a short video before the discussion begins.
What is a digital twin? What forms can it take and for what purposes does it serve? Are we talking about a doppelganger as a special form of self-representation in the digital space or as a way of interacting with someone with whom it is impossible to do so in the real world? - Digital footprints: what are they, why and how do we leave them, where are they used now and what are the potential scenarios for future use? - Digitization of personality/consciousness: what are our limitations in technology, case studies (text bots, visuals in VR, etc.) - Ethics of interacting with digital doppelgangers. Psychological, social and legal issues. Handling, storage and use of digital doppelganger data. - Various practices for handling accounts/digital objects of deceased people. Organizers of the networking session will conduct a pre-event tech check with all online participants to test their internet connection, audio, and video quality. Any possible connectivity issues will be detected in advance to ensure a seamless experience during the session. In terms of representation during the session both onsite and online moderators will work to ensure that online and offline participants and speakers are equally represented and have the same opportunities to speak, ask questions and intervene. Session will also incorporate instant feedback collection from the audience as for discussion to be naturally navigated. All participants, including online, will be able to provide instant feedback during the discussion using various online tools (i.e. Mentimeter or Kahoot!). On every onsite question there will be given word to online participants providing them with an opportunity to present their view or ask a question.
Discussing self-sovereign identities in the context of managing personal data on the Internet is gaining popularity. The concepts of personal sovereignty and complete control over who can access our data and under what conditions are highly appealing. However, numerous technical and economic challenges hinder the realization of personal sovereignty. The advancement of electronic document management could potentially diminish personal sovereignty over time. A prominent case study in this field is Solid, a project by Tim Berners-Lee, a pioneer of the Internet, aimed at decentralizing the web and empowering users with data control. Initiatives like Solid and similar projects have the potential to prompt a reassessment of current data management practices and a reshaping of the social networks and services market. Topics for discussion during the session may include: The feasibility of such projects The possibility of achieving the same level of convenience in a decentralized system like Solid compared to today's centralized services The implications and costs for users transitioning to such a system Potential new opportunities for users The impact on the advertising market Funding sources for decentralization and technology development Evaluating whether user privacy justifies the associated changes At the start of the session, the moderator will provide the opening remarks, establishing the framework for the discussion. Thereafter, the speaker will take the stage and highlight the core theme of the session. The moderator will then encourage interactive dialogue between both online and in-person participants. Finally, the moderator will summarize the key points covered and conclude the session.
It is of the utmost importance that the main concepts and definitions regarding privacy and data protection are commonly understood among internet governance community. A lightning session could be a great opportunity to discuss some of the definitions that are defined in Council of Europe instruments and used by several countries already, and whether they are commonly understood the same way in an internet governance setting. How do the various jurisdictions and stakeholders define who is a data subject on the internet or who is a data controller and processor? This can have significant impact on public policy. The discussion around WHOIS data showed how difficult it could be to have a common understanding across all jurisdiction and stakeholders. These definitions can open up other field for discussion such as forced data localisation, data security and access rights in a cloud based service, just to name a few. The online moderator will facilitate the online chat session and raise comments in the in-situ meeting or invite online participants to take the floor if technically feasible.
An Android app designed to give voice to tribes at the heart of India's Maoist insurgency was launched September 20 as part of a campaign to end the conflict through the combination of oral tradition and new technology. The app allows tribes living in the remote jungle interior of the Dandakaranya forest to become citizen journalists, posting and sharing pictures and stories on CGNet Swara, a mobile phone-based reporting platform cofounded by Indian journalist Shubhranshu Choudhary and American computer scientist Bill Thies. Many indigenous people, known as the adivasi ("original dwellers"), in the Dandakaranya region are blighted by problems typical of so many of India's remote communities: land loss and evictions, lack of schooling, absence of medical care, and dearth of civic amenities—combined with deep mistrust of local authorities. In the foourteenth years since its launch, the platform has logged over a million calls and thousands of published reports. These have included everything from reporting cholera outbreaks and resolving payment disputes to sharing news about village affairs. The network also features poetry and folk songs. Our team will facilitate and manage the interaction in hybrid mode i.e taking in-person questions onsite and taking questions from the streaming platform such as youtube or zoom. Last five to six minutes of the talk would be dedicated to the interaction with facility to reach out after the event.
The development of ICTs is bringing the convenient life and unprecedented opportunitiesto the elderly and disabled groups. According to the statistics of the World Health Organization, there are more than 1 billion people in the world that encounter inconvenience caused by disability, which means that one out of 7 people requires the help of barrier-free facilitation. As for the information barrier-free, the new emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and big data are playing the important roles to empower the aging group so that they could enjoy the equal access and convenience. Meanwhile, we shall also address the security issue of the aging group when they using the Internet, such as how to help them solve the problems of AI fraud, personal data leaking etc. In this context, multi-stakeholders will be invited to share the policy and prectice best practice of using AI on empowering an inclusive digital society and as well as they could enjoy a safe online environment. The speakers will be all onsite and keep interaction with remote participants through Q&A. We will have onsite and remote moderator to interact with participants, and leave more time for Q&A or online intervention. Zoom, and social networking tools will be used to promote the event and interaction.
This session looks at the dynamic intersection between digital transformation and sustainable development. It examines the impact of digital technologies on environmental sustainability, climate action and the circular economy. Through interactive discussions and expert advice, participants will explore the conflicts and synergies inherent in the green digital transition. The session aims to propose concrete solutions to minimise environmental impact while maximising the positive contributions of digital innovations. Participants will engage in brainstorming, knowledge sharing and networking activities to foster a collaborative approach towards a responsible green and digital transition. Interactions from onsite and online speakers will be facilitated by the onsite and online moderators respectively. Equal speaking opportunities will be made available to both online and onsite attendees. The onsite moderator will periodically check in with the online moderator to address any interactions raised by the online participants. Online participants are encouraged to contribute to the discussions using the online chat as well.
Join us for a lightning talk at the Internet Governance Forum as we delve into the transformative power of the Dutch Metropolitan Innovations Ecosystem (DMI-Ecosystem) in revolutionizing urban mobility and sustainable urban development. In this lightning talk, we delve into the transformative potential of the Dutch Metropolitan Innovations Ecosystem (DMI-ecosystem) in revolutionizing urban mobility and fostering sustainable urban development. At its core, the DMI-ecosystem aims to seamlessly integrate digital connectivity with mobility, spatial planning, and sustainability initiatives, laying a robust foundation for smart and sustainable urbanization and mobility solutions in the Netherlands. Our talk will unravel the strategic investments of the National Growth Fund in this initiative. Central to the plan is the seamless sharing of data among governmental bodies and businesses in the mobility and urban development sectors. This entails the creation of an ecosystem with both technological infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, ensuring clarity on how parties interact with and utilize each other's data. We will explore how this ecosystem fosters and organizes the data market while establishing clear guidelines for data usage, privacy, security, and reuse. By facilitating a smooth data exchange infrastructure with uniform technical and organizational standards across various domains, the initiative promotes comprehensive public-private collaboration. This collaborative framework is dedicated to driving innovative solutions to the myriad sustainability challenges confronting our urban centers. Moreover, the DMI-ecosystem presents lucrative opportunities for market players to introduce novel products and business models leveraging the digital infrastructure. Join us as we explore how the DMI-ecosystem serves as a blueprint for harnessing the power of data-driven initiatives to optimize mobility, enhance urban living, and advance progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Learn how this innovative approach not only transforms urban landscapes but also fosters economic growth, social equity, and environmental stewardship in the Netherlands and beyond. In this hybrid meeting, interaction and participation are key for engagement. We use multiple discussion elements in the session and use tools like polls, chats, and good online moderation for real-time collaboration. Encouraging these contributions from all attendees fosters our inclusivity and discussion, maximizing meeting effectiveness.
Data has become a pretty valuable resource in the digital age, playing an increasingly important role in promoting technological, application & service innovations, improving governance capabilities, facilitating international cooperation, and addressing common human challenges. Public data, regarded as a type of high-quality data resource with abundant quantity, high quality, and sound structure, is increasingly recognized as a valuable contributor to sustainable development in the digital society, further efforts to promote its development, utilization, and governance are increasingly called for. Since the beginning of the century, the process of open data has been initiated globally, advocating for the open sharing of data generated by the public sector. However, despite the evident benefits of using public data, governance of public data still faces many issues and challenges, with one crucial problem being how to define the "public data". Due to the nature of data, to avoid infringing the interests of other bodies, the definition of public data must be clear and unambiguous, which is also a basic prerequisite for the governance and utilization of public data. According to our research, there are roughly three modes of defining public data in various countries: the first is based on the nature of entity generating the data, the second is based on whether it is related to the public interest, and the third is based on whether there is public financial support behind the data activities. Currently, the definitions and targets adopted by various countries and international organizations when using the concept of "public data" are not consistent, which may pose problems for the formulation of governance rules for public data at the international level. For example, the UNCTAD's Digital Economy Report 2021 pointed out the lack of clarity in the definition of public data in studies, suggesting that it may refer to data generated by the public sector while also considering data collected by the private sector to serve the public interest; the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs' e-Government Report 2020, on the other hand, considers public data to be data that can be obtained in the public domain. The OECD, the EU, and some other international organizations also have their own definitions. In addition to the definition problem, other issues that may be involved in public data governance include: how to use or authorize the use of public data; whether fees should be charged for the sharing and use of public data; how to protect personal data that may be involved in the development and utilization of public data; what roles and responsibilities different stakeholders have in the entire lifecycle of public data; and how to maximize the value of public data to promote cooperation among the international community in addressing common challenges, especially empowering countries in the Global South. This session will start with the most basic issue of defining public data, expanding to discuss other key issues in public data governance. The session hopes to achieve a common understanding and recognition of the model to define public data and clarify the key issues in public data governance that currently require focused measures. At the same time, the organizers will also introduce the latest developments in China's practices on definition and governance of public data to participants and hope to hear from participants about the governance of public data in their own countries. You may find our latest research report on the definition of public data on: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AsPlQOqcf0rOohI-Jr_fJKZBNFOB?e=o7JkXY （We'll continue our study in 2024 and bring the English version soon.） The organizers will arrange an online moderator who will utilize the online meeting tools provided by the IGF Secretariat to interact with online participants. This interaction includes promptly responding in the chat box and relaying questions to the speakers for their responses. The organizers will also use tools such as Tencent Meeting to conduct synchronous live streaming for the community in the organizers' country and communities.
The inclusion of diverse voices in digital policy is essential for addressing both current and future challenges in internet governance. This session highlights the perspective of young voices in internet governance and how structured initiatives can create accessible platforms for diverse voices to shape digital policy and governance frameworks. Two participants of a fellowship program on international digital policy and a BMDV representative will share their insights. The fellows will present practical experiences and examples on multi-stakeholder consultations and their engagement in these. Their focus will be on processes on AI regulation, responsible technology, and their experiences in policy debates. The BMDV representative will provide the policymaker’s perspective, emphasizing how multistakeholder in initiatives like the International Digital Dialogues strengthens governance outcomes and builds trustful partnerships. The session will explore how fostering diverse participation in multi-stakeholder processes enriches digital policy through innovative ideas and diverse perspectives. Drawing from experiences with the Responsible Tech Hub, the Mercator Fellowship, and the International Digital Dialogues, the speakers will showcase actionable strategies for amplifying diverse voices in global digital governance.
The Asia-Pacific region does not yet have a specific act regulating AI, and global discourse revolves around activity in the US, EU and China more generally. But Asia's privacy regulators are addressing AI on-the-ground. This session will review activity taken by privacy regulators in South Korea, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong to address AI harms. We identify best-practices and recommend policies that should be promoted around the Asia-Pacific region and the globe, in particular to regions in the Global South with less traditions of strong privacy regimes. These recommendations should help countries leap frog on AI regulation - and prevent a digital divide in AI governance. For further reading on how Asia's privacy regulators are using policy levers to take power in the AI policy debate, please see the article Asia’s Privacy Regulators Shape AI Policy On The Ground. We will focus on how liability in privacy law is holding the AI industry accountable at early stages of development, in particular in smaller states and in the Global Majority. We will share efforts to check the power of AI tools, prevent and address AI harms, with civil society efforts, such as Digital Governance Asia's AI Harm Remedy Network and AI Harm Remedy Tracker, which includes documentation of privacy violations by AI services in the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, we highlight efforts to monitor how AI policy is developing across other legal issue area domains such as trust/safety, intellectual property, healthcare and finance in Global Majority countries in Asia through the Asia AI Policy Monitor newsletter, in order to better pluralize and democratize the global AI policy discussion away from a few large countries/jurisdictions.
In the digital era, the fabric of connectivity is woven by a diverse tapestry of stakeholders. This session will explore how robust standards in innovation, technical frameworks, and societal engagement are upheld through a multistakeholder governance model. By incorporating a wide spectrum of community feedback, we create resilient policy frameworks that underpin the internet and cellular technologies, serving as the backbone for sustainable digital development. At the core of this ecosystem lies the standardization process, a cornerstone that upholds the principles of safety, equity, and openness. Our dialogue will feature insights from ITU standards experts and academic thought leaders, delving into how standards can be leveraged to craft inclusive policies, promote shared infrastructure use, and level the digital playing field by reinforcing its foundational principles. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of technical standards within multistakeholder governance and their impact on fostering inclusive digital policies. We will employ a dual-facilitation model where two moderators, one onsite and one online, will work in tandem to bridge the physical and virtual environments. They will synchronize the session’s flow, ensuring that both audiences are equally engaged. The online moderator will monitor the digital platform for questions and comments, relaying them to the onsite moderator and vice versa. We aim to employ pre-prepared presentation will highlight the session’s key points, serving as a visual aid to complement the discussion and utilizing chats and our rapportuer to build a realtime collaborative recommendation document to ehance participation in a seamless hybrid manner
In today's digital age, technological advancements are at the forefront of innovation, yet managing electronic waste (e-waste) poses a significant challenge. In this session, we will discuss the topic of e-waste management and explore strategies for promoting sustainable practices in the digital transformation journey. We explore the current e-waste landscape, examining the volume of e-waste generated, its impact, and the challenges associated with its improper disposal and the environmental and health hazards it presents. We will showcase successful e-waste recycling and management initiatives from different regions, highlighting the economic, environmental, and social benefits of the implementation of sustainable practices. We will look into the EcoInternet Index Report by DotAsia and APNIC Foundation (https://www.ajitora.asia/eco-internet-index-2023/ ) and explore the ITU Extended Producer Responsibility - EPR (https://www.itu.int/rec/T-REC-L.1021-201804-I/en ) principle as an effective regulatory model for e-waste management. Some countries have introduced principles, such as the “right to repair”, ease of future recyclability, and use of refurbished devices or carbon-neutral packaging. We will also explore these principles as important factors to be considered by designers, developers, and companies at the early stage of the technology development chain. Effective e-waste management requires collaboration among various stakeholders. We will emphasise the importance of partnerships, knowledge sharing, and coordinated efforts among policymakers, industry leaders, civil society organizations, and end-users to establish sustainable e-waste management systems. We will have one onsite moderator directing the session and giving the floor to the speakers both onsite and online. The speakers will use presentations prepared in advance, and other interactive tools, which will help to keep the discussion focused and save time. During the Q&A moment with the audience, the onsite moderator will be attentive to the physical queue and will ask the online moderator in the case of hands raised or written comments, in which case the questions will be allowed starting with the online hands and written chats, and then following the physical queue, and so on. The online moderator has the main task of maintaining the order of the raised hands and written chat, reading the questions and giving the floor to online audience speakers. That way we will achieve an equal experience between the online and onsite audience.
The ITU Council Working Group on International Internet-related Public Policy Issues (CWG Internet) was established in 2010 by the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference. The Group, comprised of ITU Member States, meets bi-annually to identify, study and develop matters related to international Internet-related public policy issues.
Recognizing the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration to address the complex and emerging questions related to such issues, the Group regularly holds public consultations on different topics, open to all stakeholders, with a view to soliciting diverse perspectives that can inform any new or ongoing work within the ITU and/or the UN on the subject.
Inputs on the topics can be submitted online, followed by an in-person multi-stakeholder meeting, with remote participation, at the ITU premises in Geneva, during the CWG-Internet meetings. This session aims to strengthen collaboration with the multi-stakeholder IGF community on international Internet-related public policy issues.
The Chair of ITU CWG-Internet will also join online to contribute to this session.
Social media platforms that include Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tiktok and Instagram can serve as a double edged-sword; the platforms can enhance teaching and learning among students with disabilities through access information to enhance their learning skills as well as job opportunities on one hand. On the other hand, the platforms proliferate risks such as the invasion of users’ privacy, distraction from learning and cyberbullying among students with disabilities. This is attributed to the deficiency of accessibility features platforms that students with disabilities can use to protect themselves from cybercrime. Besides, most students with disabilities lack of basic digital skills on digital online safety that they can apply to protect and prevent themselves from perpetrators of cyberbullying. This affects their mental health in the longer-term and thus affecting their school performance besides their career choices. This thus necessitate that teachers, guardians and care-givers develop contextualized online safety guidelines and ensure they educate students with disabilities on online safety and and cyber hygiene. Furthermore, devise inclusive mechanisms for leveraging on social media networks to obtain news and information that support acquisition of new knowledge, in addition to providing job opportunities and career development for students with disabilities. Moreover, school counsellors can lever on social networks to provide psychosocial support services to students with disabilities and their parents by engaging them on discussions about mental, emotional, social, and spiritual needs, as well as exchanging experiences and information related to career and development. Ultimately, developers and content creators have to embrace the reality of disability mainstreaming. By ensuring the needs of students with disabilities are put into consideration from embedding accessibility features on platforms to translating online content into other readable formats. Only this way, will we pride in recognizing the advancement of human rights and inclusion in the digital age as underlined by Article 27(1) of the UN Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities 2006 (CRPD) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). 1) How will you facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees? The session organizers will utilize virtual meeting platforms: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Cisco Webex to connect online participants with onsite speakers. The platforms offer features like live streaming, chat, and Q&A sessions to engage both onsite and online audiences simultaneously. 2) How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants? The session organizers will use hybrid event tools for live polling and audience response systems, where both onsite and online participants will collaborate and engage in discussions. Additionally, the session organizers will assign dedicated moderators to facilitate communication between onsite and online participants. Moderators will monitor chat rooms, relay questions from online attendees to onsite speakers, and ensure that both audiences feel included and engaged throughout the session. 3) Please note any complementary online tools/platforms you plan to use to increase participation and interaction during the session. The session moderators will use complementary online platforms such as Slack, Discord, or Remo to enhance participation and interaction during the session. The platforms will be used for real-time communication, networking, and collaborative activities among both onsite and online participants.
In today's interconnected world, the digital revolution is fundamentally reshaping our societies and economies, offering unprecedented opportunities for sustainable development. The Republic of Azerbaijan stands at the forefront of this transformation, demonstrating how digital innovation can enhance governance, promote inclusivity, and support environmental sustainability. Our nation has made significant strides in creating a digital ecosystem that serves our citizens and contributes to our sustainable development goals. A cornerstone of this success is our comprehensive e-government portal, which offers more than 400 public services, streamlining processes and making government more accessible to all Azerbaijanis. We have embraced a holistic approach to digitalization, implementing a single sign-on system, Digital Login, across more than 100 government and private sector information systems. This integration not only simplifies access for users but also enhances the security and efficiency of our digital services. Innovation in digital identity is another area where Azerbaijan leads, offering several types of e-signatures, including cutting-edge e-signatures based on digital biometric recognition. This approach not only ensures the security of digital transactions but also paves the way for more personalized and accessible public services. Our national data and document exchange platform facilitates seamless interaction among government information systems, underpinning our commitment to transparency and efficiency. This platform is vital for our digital governance ecosystem, enabling real-time data sharing and decision-making. Azerbaijan has also developed sector-specific digital solutions such as e-procurement, e-justice, e-notaries, e-agro, e-education, e-food safety, and e-taxes. Each of these platforms is designed to meet the specific needs of our citizens, while also contributing to our broader goals of efficiency, transparency, and sustainability. In the context of global environmental challenges, our digital transformation initiatives offer valuable insights into how technology can support sustainability. From improving resource management through e-agro and e-food safety platforms to enhancing transparency in environmental governance through e-justice and e-notaries, digitalization is a powerful tool in our sustainable development arsenal. The digital transformation journey is about more than just technology—it's about people, inclusivity, and creating a sustainable future for all. Azerbaijan remains dedicated to sharing our experiences and learning from the global community, as we collectively harness the power of digital innovation for a better world. 1) How will you facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees? Live video streaming. The live video streaming will ensure that the online participant can see the offline audience too. 2) How will you design the session to ensure the best possible experience for online and onsite participants? We will also arrange a mobile phone through which one of the organising team will be connected. When there is Q&A, the person with the mobile phone will move around and also record it and live stream it simultaneously. We will also distribute a handout (both online and offline) about the issues that are being discussed to clearly communicate the content of the discussion. 3) Please note any complementary online tools/platforms you plan to use to increase participation and interaction during the session. We will be using the Q&A of the chat, and the online moderator will be managing this chat.
Rural India has been increasingly falling victim to the pervasive misinformation disinformation campaigns and influence operations that target people who do not have the skills to fact-check accurately. While several initiatives in India fact-check and expose these coordinated misinformation campaigns, the initiative's beneficiaries remain an educated urban population. Further, the technology-oriented tools for fact-checking and learning often lack an approach grounded in rural realities where majority of the women are systematically excluded from access to technology. In this session, we discuss Digital Empowerment Foundation's program that trained 480 rural women in digital literacy and critical digital literacy in it's first phase. The lightening talk will discuss how this initiative is taking a different approach to tackling online harms which is embedded in the caste-gender realities of rural India. The talk will discuss how in rural India, misinformation and disinformation is a continuation of the existing gender narratives, norms and dogmas. It will also discuss how the internalised gendered perceptions about the self and body often create a local information landscape that act as a foundation to misinformation and disinformation online. The discussion will also demonstrate how creative ways of project implementation addressed these peculiar issues and what were the challenges and learning from the field. Link to the modules: The video case storied from the participants will ensure that the voices from rural India is also represented in the room. A mobile phone will be connected to the Zoom link so that, audience in the room is also connected to some of the online audience. When there is Q&A, the person with the mobile phone will move around and also record it and live stream it simultaneously. We will also distribute a handout (both online and offline) about the issues that are being discussed to clearly communicate the content of the discussion.
This lighting talk is about private project named “Musashino Media Laboratory (MML)” which delivers rich contents via grassroots Web servers with FTTH. http://www13.plala.or.jp/mml/index_E.html There are two Web servers, one is in my house and the other in my sister’s house. It’s possible to access to the contents through front-end commercial Web service. http://www13.plala.or.jp/mml/AboutMML/About_MML_E.html Rich Contents, like 4K Video, high-resolution Audio, Panorama photo, Spherical photo, 4K Spherical Video + Ambisonics Audio and so on are available for public. Over 100+ contents are ready for free access. Its motto is “Expand your experience, explore new emotion”. This project shows that it’s possible to deliver rich contents which has big file size using FTTH and small Web server without Data Center which requires comprehensible investment. This approach is especially useful in emerging countries to deliver educational materials, tourism promotion materials and so on without big investment. It’s helpful to develop educational environment and local industry in emerging countries. While this activity is private one, it’s closely related with my professional activity as Secretary-General, The ITU Association of Japan which provides training course like “Bridging the GAP” for trainees from emerging countries. To be determined (TBD)
This lightning talk will present an example of a UN-led effort to create an ecosystem of partners able to match digital technologies and AI to humanitarian and development needs the market alone will not deliver on. This effort is called DISHA - Data Insights for Social and Humanitarian Action, disha.unglobalpulse.org. DISHA is a large multi-partner coalition led by UN Global Pulse that brings together technology companies, academic and civil society research centers, philanthropies, and data providers. Importantly, it also includes humanitarian and development agencies who are not only DISHA's users but co-designers of each of the DISHA solutions. Working side-by-side, DISHA partners transform 'AI for good' research papers into robust products that help UN colleagues do their work more efficiently. Currently, we're focusing on two types of solutions to support disaster response planning and community resilience. Solutions of the first type use mobile network data to provide insights about population mobility post-disaster and predict areas of greatest vulnerability based on call and top-up patterns. We collaborate with numerous UN and external humanitarian organizations like CRS and Red Cross. Together, we co-design, test, and validate these solutions while managing associated risks. The second type of DISHA solutions uses high-resolution satellite imagery to assess damage to infrastructure after natural disasters. Rapid access to this data is crucial for first responders. But these assessments, usually manual, can take weeks to produce and may not cover all affected areas. We have recently announced a solution developed in partnership with UN Satellite Center, Google and WFP that allows to speed up the time needed to produce a directional assessment of affected areas by a factor of 6. To learn more, come to our lightning talk or visit our blog: https://disha.unglobalpulse.org/blog/
As of 2022, over 97% of minors in China use the internet. Major platforms have launched dedicated features to prevent urgent issues such as internet addiction among minors. To bridge the "last mile" of these features, enabling young people, families, and schools to use them correctly and consciously, the China Internet Network Information Center has organized systematic research to understand young internet users, aiming for positive social attention, policy improvement, and platform optimization. This study is based on annual surveys since 2018 of over 100,000 primary and secondary school students nationwide, their parents, and hundreds of teachers. The project helps society understand the situation and challenges of online protection for minors, promotes improvement of protective measures, and helps youth, families, and schools build confidence in using ICT. Through surveys, the project received effective feedback. Policy-wise, it provided useful assistance in revising the "Regulations on the Protection of Minors Online" regarding cyberbullying, privacy protection, and internet addiction, sparking social discussions. Commercially, it guided platforms like Tencent to introduce features addressing gaming, live streaming, and short video addiction in youth, along with privacy protection and mechanisms to prevent excessive online spending. Socially, the proportion of surveyed students free from any cybersecurity incidents in the past year rose from 66.0% in 2019 to 72.4% in 2022; the proportion of students aware of online rights protection and reporting increased from 69.1% in 2018 to 78.9% in 2022. This is a Lightning Talk without online sector, not a hybrid meeting.
External funding for projects is substantially easier when there is trust! Trust that the funds will end up at the right persons and be spent on the intended goals. By extending the functionallity of money (which basic functionallity is: unit of account, medium of exchange and storage of value) with one extra function: "to incentivise, reward and help people" we created technology to generate this trust. We developed programmable money: (electronic) money with rules inside. The issuer can define: WHO gets how MUCH, WHERE it can be spent, on WHAT and WHEN. Then ONLY pays what was REALLY spent on the defined goal (leaving an exact trail for reporting) directly from their own bankaccount to the bankaccount of the retailers. (it is even possible to look at real-time-spending from a dashboard) Combining old with new: When you take a grandmothers wallet, with compartments for different kinds of (earmarked) money: clothing money, grocery money, rent money, holiday money, etc. and combine it with modern web3 technology: the ability to secure, fast and safe transfer value over the internet by use of a mobile phone. Add a simple and intuitive way to pay (scan a QR-code and press 1 button)... and you have a tool with which you can create opportunities for MANY people and use-cases (money is a big enabler but it has to arrive at the right spot, at the right time for the right thing).
- Description of how programmable money works, its spectrum of use cases, how we already implemented it in The Netherlands to distribute relief money from the government, how we used it to drive sustainability, how we can use it for social inclusion - examples deplyoments from several different SDG's - interaction with the audience to "blitz-design" local use-cases (spontaneous) leveraging the advantages of purpose bound money: lower administrative burden, reduce fraud and misuse while stimulating the local economy and being evironmental friendly. We will accept questions and remarks from online audience and show them the live-demonstrations through smartphone-screen-mirroring, accepting requests for use-cases in the brainstorm/design phase of the presentation.
Background paper link : https://docs.google.com/document/d/10n4N5jz_ukIyAve5dVB848Fna-tM2XoPhvr… In the digital age, access to information is more crucial than ever in shaping sustainable futures. At IGF 2024, the OnePile Foundation introduces its cutting-edge initiative, the OnePile.io SDG Book Club, under the session titled "Digital Libraries for Sustainability: Empowering Global Communities with SDG Knowledge and the SDG Book Club." This session will focus on the transformative role that digital libraries can play in disseminating knowledge about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to global audiences. The OnePile.io platform revolutionizes how books related to the SDGs are categorized, accessed, and utilized, bridging the gap between digital technology and sustainability education. Through our digital bookcrossing application, we have successfully integrated over 400 books with dedicated SDG labels, enabling users to engage deeply with topics that are crucial for sustainable development. This session will highlight how digital innovations, particularly in the realm of digital book sharing and libraries, can significantly enhance the educational landscape by making sustainability resources accessible worldwide. It will also explore the impact of such platforms in fostering a global community that is well-informed and motivated to take action towards achieving the SDGs. Linking directly to the IGF2024 issue area of "Enhancing the digital contribution to peace, development, and sustainability," this presentation will demonstrate the potential of digital libraries to act as catalysts for educational and societal change. Participants will explore successful strategies for scaling this model across different regions and discuss the role of digital technology in promoting peace and sustainable development through education. For additional information, including detailed project insights and outcomes, please refer to our dedicated resource page: [OnePile.io SDG Book Club Overview](https://www.onepilefoundation.org/sdgs-%E5%8F%AF%E6%8C%81%E7%BA%8C%E7%9…). Join us as we delve into how digital libraries and the SDG Book Club are making strides in empowering communities worldwide through accessible and impactful sustainability education. **Target 4.7:** The session utilizes digital libraries to educate global communities on sustainable development, promoting skills and knowledge aligned with sustainable lifestyles and global citizenship. ### SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure - **Target 9.5:** Showcases the OnePile.io platform, demonstrating innovation in digital technology for educational purposes and supporting the enhancement of technological capabilities in educational sectors. ### SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities - **Target 11.4:** Provides digital resources that include content on cultural and natural heritage, aiding in the preservation and awareness of cultural identities and natural environments. ### SDG 13 - Climate Action - **Target 13.3:** Uses digital libraries to improve education and awareness on climate change, facilitating community engagement in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. ### SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals - **Target 17.16:** Involves multiple stakeholders in developing and managing the digital platform, enhancing global partnerships and sharing resources to support the SDGs, especially in developing countries. Estimated Number of Participants Expected to Attend 50
Connectivity corridors between Europe and the Middle East, as well as Europe and Asia, play a pivotal role in shaping regional and global digital landscapes. The establishment and enhancement of international internet connectivity serve as the backbone of the global digital economy, facilitating cross-border integration of services and fostering regional progress. Moreover, the development of technological hubs within these corridors further amplifies the impact of connectivity on digital transformation. The proposed session aims to delve into the significance of connectivity corridors and technological hubs in driving digital transformation, empowering regional advancement, and promoting global competitiveness focusing on the case of Georgia. The key topics for discussion will include significant subjects such as the role of international internet connectivity as an enabler of global competitiveness in an increasingly digital global economy; the establishment of technological hubs – accelerating digital transformation and innovation; strengthening national and regional global competitiveness by facilitating seamless access to digital services, markets, and talent; development of ecosystems conducive to innovation, research, and development, driving economic growth and job creation. The session " Empowering the region towards sustainable digital growth" provides a platform to explore and discuss the transformative potential of connectivity corridors and technological hubs in shaping regional and global digital landscapes. By enhancing international internet connectivity and fostering technological innovation, countries can unlock new opportunities for economic growth, innovation, and collaboration, ultimately fostering regional progress and global competitiveness in the digital age. As Lightning Talks are fully in-person sessions, no hybrid interaction is required.
This session will explore the transformative power of digital skills in fostering peace and stability, particularly in regions facing conflict. Drawing from the example of Ukraine, where a digital literacy initiative has been implemented, the session will give a brief overview of this process and will highlight the importance of enhancing digital literacy and technology proficiency as a pathway to peacebuilding and community resilience. Opportunities for collaboration, continued engagement and resource sharing will also be highlighted via the talk. We aim to keep the session interactive and leave space for questions during and after the sessions. We would also like to invite the audience to share similar cases, interventions or practices as well as personal recommendations for the promotion of partnerships in this context.
Reflecting the multi-stakeholder nature of IGF, this session is co-organised by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) under the research consortium of the Safer Internet Lab (SAIL). Established in 2022 and introduced at IGF 2023 (https://intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2023-lightning-talk-114-apac-safer-internet-lab-progressing-against-misinformation), SAIL has served as a hub for studying and exploring solutions to address mis- and disinformation in Indonesia. Over the past year, SAIL has fostered tripartite communication between government, civil society, and tech platforms to combat information disorder. This session will reflect on SAIL's achievements, challenges, and lessons learned in its first year of operation. The Safer Internet Lab (SAIL) is a multi-stakeholder effort focusing on the study and exploration of solutions to address the problem of mis- and disinformation as it affects users, economies and societies in Indonesia, and in the wider Asia-Pacific region. The SAIL partnership was initiated by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Google and aims to bring together the brightest minds from across stakeholder groups - think-tanks, universities, civil society organisations, governmental bodies and technology platforms - to discuss trends, policy best practices, learnings and to brainstorm sustainable solutions to address information disorder, also referred to as mis- and dis-information. The goal is to create discussions, collaborations and forums for the co-development of solutions that ultimately build a safer web for users in the region. Building upon this foundation, SAIL aims to expand its scope to tackle the information disorder across Southeast Asia. As outlined in SAIL's policy brief "Regional and Cross-Border Responses Towards Disinformation in Southeast Asia," the region faces mounting vulnerabilities amidst escalating geopolitical tensions and the digital divide among ASEAN member states. (https://saferinternetlab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Policy-Brief-Regional-and-Cross-Border-Responses-Towards-Disinformation-in-Southeast-Asia-.pdf) This session will explore how SAIL's multi-stakeholder model can be adapted and scaled to address information disorder at a regional level. Panelists will discuss: - SAIL's impact and evolution as a research hub, convention centre, and clearing house in Indonesia - Emerging trends and challenges of information disorder in the Southeast Asian political and information landscape - Opportunities for cross-border collaboration and capacity building to counter disinformation - Policy recommendations to balance digital innovation and resilience in ASEAN's online ecosystem The session aims to catalyze regional dialogue and knowledge sharing to develop collective, multi-stakeholder strategies against information manipulation. By amplifying Southeast Asian perspectives in the global internet governance discourse, SAIL seeks to contribute to a safer and more equitable digital future for the region. This lightning talk will be conducted in person and guided by an onsite moderator who will ensure that all speakers and participants are actively engaged, with opportunities to raise questions and contribute insights. The session will begin with speaker presentations, followed by policy questions to foster active discussions and exchanges with the audience. A dedicated 10-15 minute Q&A session will provide participants with the opportunity to pose questions and share their perspectives. The moderator will conclude the session by delivering a comprehensive summary of the key findings, recommendations, and proposed future actions.
Designing Tech for Peace: The Power of Prosocial Design Governance.” Discover how we can pivot away from the toxic polarization that fuels real-world violence by adopting prosocial design governance. This isn't just an idea; it's a practical approach that can transform the landscape of digital interactions. Highlights of the Talk: Pivoting Tech Design: Learn how current technology design incentivizes divisive and polarizing content, and explore how we can shift this to promote peace and social cohesion. Prosocial Design Principles: Drawing insights from the "Toward Prosocial Tech Design Governance" article, we will discuss the fundamental changes needed in tech governance to prioritize human well-being and societal health over mere engagement and profit. Real-World Applications: Understand how prosocial design not only mitigates harm but actively fosters trust and collaboration online, paving the way for a unified approach to tackling global challenges like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Why This Matters: Technology shapes our perceptions, relationships, and actions. By redesigning tech governance to be more prosocial, we can produce tools that inherently support collaborative and positive interactions. We will explore case studies, examples of regulations and theoretical models that demonstrate the success of prosocial designs in enhancing social interactions online and reducing conflict. Your Takeaway: Gain actionable insights into how tech companies, policymakers, and civil society can collaborate to implement design changes that lead to more ethical and supportive digital environments. Be part of the movement that champions tech designs that enrich our social fabric, promoting an internet that connects, supports, and uplifts, rather than divides. Reference will be made to this paper about ProSocial Tech Design Governance: https://techandsocialcohesion.substack.com/p/toward-prosocial-tech-desi…Welcome to online participants if they can be able to hear and ask questions (if that is permitted).
The session will present findings from a study conducted to understand digital consent practices of persons with disabilities and the challenges faced by them within the Indian context. The study is undertaken to develop universal user-centric consent frameworks to ensure that persons with disabilities are "not left behind" in the cyberspace. Below is a brief description of the project. Globally, conversations around digital privacy, data protection, data-use transparency, and consent have gained momentum. Several countries have attempted to regulate these new issues that have arisen due to big data sharing to protect citizens' rights. Historically, persons with disabilities (PwDs) have been marginalized and yet again today, conversations around digital data consent and data protection have not taken into consideration this population. India, with it's new Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, has consciously included persons with disabilities rights to ensure protection of their rights in the new digital age. However, the law itself lacks clarity on the data sharing consent mechanisms for PwDs and assumes the role of the lawful guardian, wherever present, to act on behalf of the person. Such a framing of the law is limiting and can lead to challenges in implementation given the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. Therefore, Pacta and Saksham Disability, India undertook a study to 1. To understand the difficulties faced by PwDs in navigating the internet. 2. To contour the perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of PwDs in relation to consent for sharing data. 3. To make the ideas of consent, and its legal standing and implications accessible and understandable to PwDs. 4. To address the limitations of the DPDP on provisions related to PwDs. 5. To develop a user-centric consent framework for data pertaining to PwDs that can be adopted by websites and web-based applications. The study is currently underway. Our study results will help 1. understand the unique challenges faced by PwDs in using the internet, 2. what data sharing consent means to them and the challenges around digital consent, as well as 3. provide a universal user-centric consent framework for PwDs in the digital space. Not applicable since the entire session will be in-person as mentioned in the description of the session. Organizer will facilitate a way for the rapporteur to participate such that note-taking will be enabled at their end.
In the evolving landscape of global digital governance, the imperative to safeguard human rights within digital platforms is increasingly acknowledged. This panel at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) focuses on digital rights challenges in East Asia, evaluating how AI-based self-regulation can be customized to regional needs. This session will blend insights from real-life cases, platform norms, and specific instances of digital rights violations in East Asia to discuss how AI technology can bolster human rights protections. Panel Composition: Yongsuk Hwang (Konkuk University): "Typologies of Threats to Human Rights on Digital Platforms in East Asia" Abstract: This presentation will categorize examples of human rights threats in East Asia emerging from digital platforms, utilizing AI technology. It proposes a governance framework for AI to effectively combat hate speech, discrimination, and misinformation such as deepfakes, focusing on minority rights. Jinhwa Ha (Kakao): "AI and Human-Centric Approaches to Digital Rights at Kakao" Abstract: This talk will cover Kakao's policies against hate speech and the construction of harmful speech corpora for youth, showcasing automated methods to safeguard digital rights. Principles for using AI to benefit humanity, based on practical policy examples, will also be discussed. Ock Heo (Meta, Director of Public Policy, Korea): "AI-Based Self-Regulation and Governance in Protecting Digital Rights on Facebook and Instagram in East Asia" Abstract: This presentation will analyze instances of digital rights infringements on Facebook and Instagram in East Asia, introducing Meta's AI-driven self-regulatory techniques and governance models. Panel Discussion: "Collaborative Governance and Human-Centric AI: Creating Respectful and Diverse Digital Spaces" Abstract: The panel discussion will focus on collaborative governance and the utilization of human-centric AI technologies to protect digital rights and respect diversity among minorities. The discussion aims to foster a comprehensive dialogue on integrating these frameworks into broader platform policies, enhancing transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. Additional Insights: As digital ecosystems evolve, the need to protect human rights online remains a crucial issue for stakeholders globally. This session will delve into how AI technology can be adapted by platforms for content moderation, hate speech detection, and privacy protection to meet specific regional challenges in East Asia. By examining effective strategies and potential pitfalls, this session will provide a nuanced view of how digital platforms can use AI to promote public good, with a particular focus on transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in AI implementation. If the panel proposal is accepted, notable platforms from Asia, including ByteDance from China have also expressed their interest in participating. We plan to form a more expansive panel to incorporate a wider range of perspectives and insights. 1) Facilitating Interaction Between Onsite and Online Speakers and Attendees: -Dual-Mode Engagement: Utilize a high-quality video conferencing platform that supports seamless live streaming of the session to ensure both onsite and online participants can view and participate in real-time. - Equip onsite locations with large screens displaying online attendees to create a sense of inclusivity. 2) Designing the Session to Ensure Optimal Experience for All Participants: -Pre-Session Testing and Tech Support: Conduct pre-session connectivity tests for all speakers, regardless of their location, and provide technical support to address potential issues in advance. This ensures that every speaker can present without technical interruptions. 3) Complementary Online Tools/Platforms to Increase Participation: Post-Session Engagement: Provide a recording of the session on the event platform for later viewing and continue the dialogue post-event through dedicated forums or discussion groups to sustain the momentum of the session topics.
This session will address the ethical and regulatory challenges and policy gaps in the new forms of AI-driven children’s play and entertainment. It sheds light on the interaction of children with algorithms, their immersion into the digital world, and the protections that ought to be in place to ensure their safety, security, and privacy. Since AI has become such an integral aspect of children's lives, especially through interactions and learning, this lightning talk best fits under the IGF 2024's theme of 'Advancing Human Rights and Inclusion in the Digital Age". The session delves into children’s interactions with smart toys, online games and social media; it zooms in on the effects of these digital entertainment platforms on children’s health, development, and social interactions. The session explores the existing policies and regulations and provides recommendations aligned to the existing gaps and potential threats to children. Whilst providing a unique focus on children’s entertainment in the African context, an under explored and often overlooked area in the literature, this session will deeply reflect on the impact of AI on children and the need to develop ethical AI principles that directly apply to them. This session aims to ultimately provide guiding principles and policies to take into consideration in the design, development, and deployment of AI-enabled tools that children interact with. 1) The moderator of the session, Jackline Akello, will facilitate participation between onsite and online participants through prompts such as insightful comments and questions. The speakers will also provide scope for responses to their respective talks by raising thought-provoking questions which should encourage input from participants. 2) The session will be designed in a way that facilitates equal participation from online and onsite participants through the use of online tools to enhance engagement during the session. 3) The session will make use of a menti meter at the beginning of the session to kick-start thoughts and questions, then after the talk from the speakers a Miro board will be used to brainstorm solutions to mitigate risks for African children with regards to AI.
This session is presented by Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud provider. With millions of customers and partners around the world, AWS has a large dynamic community. As AWS is continually accelerating its pace of innovation to deliver unique capabilities and technologies that customers can use to transform their business, AWS works hard to support and empower customer’s to address abusive content or activity that originates from AWS services. Through collaboration and building at scale at AWS, its dedicated Trust & Safety team will talk about its role in tackling abuse, how they support and empower customers to address abuse, and their involvement in global initiatives that seek to overcome policy and technical challenges in tackling abuse. 1) There will be a powerpoint presentation. 2) There will be additional material for both online and onsite participants to reference during and after the presentation 3) To offer the best possible experience, we can suggest to use Webex for an interactive polling, and welcome comments.
Participants will be exposed to ideas and advancements around how to use AI in the newsroom from content gathering, content production, and content distribution. Using African newsrooms like Centre for Innovation and Technology use of Alice News reader anchor as a case study, we will delve into the current unregulated landscape, highlighting the potential impact on news consumption. By embracing AI African newsrooms educate their audiences this will get picked up civic organizations, and policymakers which can lobby more effectively for AI policies, frameworks which are Afrocentric so as to avoid bias and misrepresentation from the African users perspective. . Additionally, attendees will gain invaluable insights into the sociocultural implications of AI within the African context, shedding light on underrepresented perspectives. Our lightning talk will showcase practical strategies for African newsrooms and audiences to harness AI, addressing unique challenges that may arise, distinct from those encountered in the global north. We will organize a digital conference session with both offline and online interaction. The lighting Talk will start with a roundtable discussion among physically present participants, led by an onsite facilitator. Then, the same facilitator will pose questions to virtual panelists. Next, there will be a Q&A session, beginning with questions from the physical audience, then virtual ones. We will use Zoom,X and livestream on YouTube, managed by an onsite digital moderator who will monitor feedback and questions .In addition, a hashtag for the session would be used in conjunction with any other IGF hashtags. The on-site digital moderator in addition to engaging in social media, They will gather any question comments and remarks for the plenary session.
Join technology and human rights expert Brittan Heller as she explores how the internet is evolving with new 3D computing technologies like XR glasses. These spatial computing devices blend our physical and digital worlds by collecting detailed data about our surroundings and our personal reactions. In her talk, Brittan will explain why traditional ways of protecting our privacy, such as opting out, may no longer be effective in this new digital landscape. Specifically, in what she calls the "embodied web," users cannot opt out if their body's information is required to calibrate the hardware. Brittan will discuss the risks associated with XR technologies, including how they might use our own involuntary biometric responses for targeted advertising. Additionally, she will address how personal identifying information can be extracted from seemingly anonymous data, such as the way someone points, to uniquely identify them even in large crowds. She emphasizes the importance of developing new privacy rules that can address these emerging challenges while the technology is still in its early stages. Her talk will focus on what these changes mean for our privacy, rights, and safety as we delve deeper into the world of spatial computing. Heller’s talk underscores the need to harness innovation and balance risks in digital space. You can learn more about her ideas in her lecture for the Stanford Cyber Policy Center ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0zhkvM_iGY](https://www.youtube.com/wa…)) or in her paper ([https://scholarship.law.vanderbilt.edu/jetlaw/vol23/iss1/1/](https://scholarship.law.vanderbilt.edu/jetlaw/vol23/iss1/1/)). This is a lightning talk and the speaker would be fully on-site.
