Internet Governance Forum: Shaping a safe and equitable digital future

By R Anil Kumar

• The UN children’s agency UNICEF has been collaborating with tech companies to make digital products safer for children

• The Forum highlights the transformative potential of digital technologies in advancing peace, sustainability, and socioeconomic development, emphasizing inclusive access that ensures no one is left behind in the digital economy

• Discussions also covers critical issues such as safeguarding human rights online, bridging the digital divide for marginalized communities, and building a safe, inclusive digital environment for all.

• It was said that Governments, technology companies, civil society, and international organizations all share the responsibility to ensure that the Internet remains an open, safe, and inclusive platform.

• This includes implementing robust policies to protect against rights violations, fostering transparency in corporate practices, and bridging the digital divide to promote universal access.

New Delhi, December 16. The 19^th Internet Governance Forum sets out vision for inclusive, equitable digital future.

As the world navigates rapid digital transformation, the 19^th United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the theme “Building Our Multistakeholder Digital Future.”

Bringing together participants from over 170 countries, the Forum comes at a pivotal moment following the recent adoption of the Global Digital Compact (GDC).

The comprehensive framework, adopted as part of the Pact for the Future, aims to ensure digital technologies serve humanity’s best interests.

In his message for the day, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the transformative power of digital technology. He stated: “Digital technology has fundamentally reshaped our world and holds enormous potential to accelerate human progress.

“But unlocking this potential for all people requires guardrails, and a collaborative approach to governance,” he emphasised.

Participants will tackle key issues such as digital inclusion, artificial intelligence governance and countering online misinformation.

Bridging the digital divide

Despite the rapid expansion of digital technology, 2.6 billion people worldwide remain offline with the majority residing in developing countries.

Addressing this gap, alongside fostering trust and security in the digital realm, will be central to the Forum’s discussions.

Abdullah Alswaha, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, said that IGF Riyadh 2024 “offers a global platform to promote international digital cooperation in the era of AI”.

He encouraged stakeholders to deeply engage in the Forum in Riyadh, to help “shape innovative Internet governance and support a prosperous and sustainable digital future for the benefit of humanity”.

Shaping the future of AI

The UN Secretary-General called for global cooperation in sharing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), warning that unequal access could exacerbate global inequalities.

“AI capacities today are concentrated in a handful of powerful companies – and even fewer countries. Meanwhile, too many countries face significant challenges in accessing AI tools,” António Guterres told a forum on artificial intelligence capacity building.

Bridging that gap is all the more important given AI’s potential for sustainable development. With many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets off track, artificial intelligence can help rescue the development agenda.

“To truly harness AI’s potential, we need international cooperation – and solidarity,” Mr. Guterres added.

Risks also uneven

The UN chief also stressed that just as the benefits of AI are unevenly distributed, so too are the risks.

“Without adequate guardrails, AI could further exacerbate inequalities and digital divides and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable,” he warned.

“We must seize this historic opportunity to lay the foundations for inclusive governance of AI – for the benefit of all humanity.”

Over the four days, participants will explore diverse topics, including AI governance, online safety, and sustainable digital practices.

Sessions will highlight innovative solutions, particularly for underserved communities, while advancing strategies to combat the spread of hate speech and misinformation online.

The Forum also aims to reinforce human rights in digital spaces, with a focus on equitable data use and privacy protections.

The concluding Riyadh IGF Messages will synthesise discussions into actionable recommendations for policymakers.

In a rapidly changing digital world, the collaborative efforts led by the IGF and the GDC will be essential in ensuring that technology serves humanity and promotes a future where no one is left behind.