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Digital Watch newsletter – Issue 83 – October 2023

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Snapshot: What’s making waves in digital policy?

Geopolitics

The European Commission has released a preliminary list of four high-risk technology areas for potential misuse by autocratic regimes and human rights violations; experts say this is aimed at China. On the other side of the pond, as Washington weighs additional restrictions on chip exports, US companies will continue to sell chips to China, but not the most advanced ones. China’s trade council has called on the US to reconsider rules restricting American investments in China’s tech sector. The council argues that the restrictions are vague and do not differentiate between military and civilian applications.

AI governance

G7 countries have agreed to create an international code of conduct for AI that would establish principles for the oversight and control of advanced forms of AI. In a similar development, Japan (the current chair of the G7) and Canada have released voluntary codes of conduct for companies developing AI – this follows the recent trend of using voluntary guidelines until regulations are enacted.
The British anti-trust regulator, the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA), proposed seven principles to guide the development and deployment of AI foundational models (technology trained on vast amounts of data to carry out a wide range of tasks and operations). Finally, The USA announced plans to present a proposal of global standards for the use of military AI at the UN in the near future.

Security

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has issued eight rules of engagement for hacktivists who are involved in conflicts, warning them that their actions can endanger lives. The rules include a prohibition on cyberattacks targeting civilians, hospitals, and humanitarian facilities, as well as the use of malware or similar tools that can harm both military and civilian targets.

Infrastructure

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is planning to restore the net neutrality rules that were repealed in 2017. FCC Chairperson Jessica Rosenworcel announced that the FCC proposes to reclassify broadband under Title II of the US Communications Act. That would give the FCC more authority to regulate internet providers, including the ability to prevent carriers from slowing down or speeding up internet traffic to certain websites.
Huawei, the Chinese tech giant, has taken legal action in a Lisbon court against a resolution by Portugal’s cybersecurity council (CSSC), which effectively restricts operators from employing its equipment in high-speed 5G mobile networks.

Internet economy

The European Commission has designated 6 major tech companies, including Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft, as gatekeepers under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), concluding a 45-day review process. The designation includes a total of 22 core platform services provided by these companies.

In another area, Amazon has temporarily secured a victory in a case concerning its classification as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP). The General Court of the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) in Luxembourg has, in response to Amazon’s plea, granted interim measures, resulting in the postponement of certain DSA obligations. This takes place amid the initiation of stringent measures under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), affecting 19 major online platforms and search engines.

(Alleged) Anti-competitive practices by major companies were in the spotlight last month. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 17 state attorneys general sued Amazon for alleged anti-competitive behaviour. One of the biggest antitrust cases in decades, The US Justice Department’s case against Google commenced on 12 September 2023. This lawsuit focuses on Google’s search business, which is alleged to be ‘anti-competitive and exclusionary,’ enabling the company to maintain a monopoly in the digital advertising market. In a different case also concerning Google, the company announced a provisional settlement in the USA on monopoly allegations concerning the Play Store application platform.

The European Commission has been informally collecting views on potentially abusive practices by Nvidia, Bloomberg revealed. This comes after France’s competition authority carried out an ‘unannounced inspection […] in the graphics cards sector’, which was revealed to involve Nvidia.

Digital rights

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for public input in drafting the AI Charter to clarify the journalism community’s position on the extensive use of AI technologies in the field.

Norway’s data watchdog hopes to extend its daily fines of NOK 1 million (USD93,000) for privacy breaches against Meta across the EU and European Economic Area (EEA). Now, it is up to the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) to evaluate the situation.

Content policy

A federal appeals court in the USA has extended limits on the Biden administration’s communication with social media platforms, to also encompass the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This ruling significantly trims the ability of the White House and government agencies to engage with social media platforms on matters of content moderation.

The EU warned major social media platforms about not complying with the newly enacted Digital Services Act (DSA) targeting fake news.

Development

The EU has released its Digital Decade report, urging actions to achieve Digital Decade targets by 2030.

New ITU data shows global internet access improved in 2023, with over 100 million new users worldwide.

The G77 Summit adopted the Havana Declaration, focusing on science, technology, and innovation and outlining the G77’s future actions.

THE TALK OF THE TOWN – GENEVA

During the 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), a panel discussed cyberbullying against children, discussing the roles of states, the private sector, and stakeholders in addressing cyberbullying and empowering children in the digital sphere. Additionally, the council presented a summary report on the role of digital, media, and information literacy in the promotion and enjoyment of the right to freedom of opinion and expression from the 53rd session. The council also heard a report on the impact of new technologies intended for climate protection.

The WTO Public Forum 2023 focussed on the role of trade in fostering an eco-friendly future, including the theme ‘Digitalisation as a tool for the greening of supply chains’. Over 20 sessions delved into digital tools and their impacts.

The 8th session of the WIPO Conversation delved into generative AI and IP. Over two days, 6 panels covered generative AI’s use cases, regulatory landscape, ethical concerns regarding training data, authorship, ownership of creative work, and strategies for navigating IP in generative AI.

Digital at UNGA78

The General Debate of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) serves as a global platform where world leaders come together to address some of the most pressing issues confronting humanity. One of these critical topics is the impact of digital technologies.

During the 2023 UNGA General Debate, 94 speakers, including the Secretary-General of the UN, and representatives of the Holy See and the EU, delved into digital themes.

This number (94) represents a significant increase compared to our first analysis in 2017, when 47 countries spoke on digital topics. Fast forward 7 years, and this number has doubled to 94. This sharp rise underscores the growing recognition of the paramount importance of digital technologies at the highest levels of diplomatic discourse.

In the broader context, discussions related to digital technology accounted for 2.51% of all the text corpus produced during 2023 UNGA’s speeches.

Bar graph shows the overall number of speakers mentioning digital issues from 2017 (47), 2018 (63), 2019 (84), 2020 (76), 2021 (83), 2022 (92), and 2023 (94).

The General Debate in 2023 saw a substantial surge in mentions of AI in national statements. Out of the 467,130 words spoken during the debate, 6,279 were about AI, solidifying its position as the most frequently discussed digital topic. This surge in interest can be attributed, in part, to the widespread attention garnered by the launch of ChatGPT.

AI featured prominently in 39 speeches during UNGA 78, reflecting its growing significance. However, leaders also explored other digital-related subjects, including digital development (44), cybersecurity (23), content policy (7), economic considerations (4), and human rights (6).

AI. The rapid evolution of AI prompted concerns about its potential risks, from job displacement to cyber threats. While some speakers highlighted AI’s transformative potential in healthcare and education, many emphasised the need for ethical governance and international cooperation. There was consensus on the urgency of regulating AI, addressing its military applications, and establishing global norms. The role of the UN in facilitating these discussions and promoting responsible AI use was a recurring theme, with calls for a Global Digital Compact and the creation of an international AI agency.

Digital development. Leaders emphasised the need to bridge the digital divide, reduce inequalities, and ensure inclusive digital development. Many nations advocated for international cooperation through initiatives like the Global Digital Compact to address these challenges collectively. The importance of digital technologies in achieving sustainable development goals and fostering global solidarity was a common theme among leaders.

Cybersecurity. The evolving landscape of non-traditional security threats, focusing on cybersecurity and cybercrime, was discussed. Leaders emphasised the need for international cooperation and governance frameworks to address cross-border cyber threats, protect critical infrastructure, and combat cybercrime.

Content policy. Leaders addressed the concerning spread of disinformation and fake news amplified by AI and social media platforms. They highlighted the threats posed to democracy, and an increase in real-world violence and conflict caused by online hate speech and misinformation. Efforts to combat disinformation included proposals for a digital bill of rights and a code of conduct for information integrity on digital platforms.

Economic. The importance of embracing digital technology and fostering innovation to enhance economies was emphasised. Efforts to reduce trade barriers, seek free trade agreements, and transition into digital and green economies were highlighted.

Human rights. Leaders expressed concerns about online surveillance, data harvesting, and human rights abuses. They called for human-centred and human-rights-based approaches to the development and deployment of technology.

Digital image of an AI brain with circuits and wiring.

Should we let AI hallucinate?

This year, Diplo’s human experts were joined by DiploAI in analysing speeches. They distilled key points and spotted patterns in speeches, including instances where AI hallucinated – created false information or distorted reality. Diplo’s Jovan Kurbalija suggests we just might want to let it do this in his newest blog post Diplomatic and AI hallucinations: How can thinking outside the box help solve global problems?

Chart, Plot, Map, Atlas, Diagram, Person — Global map highlights countries that addressed digital topics at UNGA78.

The EU’s Digital and AI Vision in 2023: Von der Leyen’s Address

In the 2023 State of the Union Address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen laid out her vision for the digital future of Europe, with a particular emphasis on the role of AI. The speech highlighted Europe’s achievements in the digital realm and the steps being taken to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and digital technologies.

People, Person, Crowd, Adult, Female, Woman, Electrical Device, Microphone, Cup, Accessories, Jewelry, Necklace, Audience, Belt, Flag, Lecture, Speech, Ursula von der Leyen

Von der Leyen delivering her address. Credit: European Comission.

Europe’s Investment in digital transformation

President von der Leyen began by acknowledging the importance of digital technology in simplifying both business and everyday life. She pointed out that Europe had exceeded its investment target in digital projects under NextGenerationEU, with member states using this funding to digitise key sectors such as healthcare, justice, and transportation.

Managing digital risks and protecting fundamental rights

However, the president also acknowledged the challenges posed by the digital world, including disinformation, harmful content, and privacy risks. She stressed that these issues eroded trust and violated fundamental rights. To counter these threats, Europe has taken the lead in safeguarding citizens’ rights through legislative frameworks like the DSA and the DMA, which aim to create a safer digital space and hold tech giants accountable.

The role of AI

President von der Leyen highlighted the potential of AI to revolutionise healthcare, increase productivity, and address climate change. But she also warned against underestimating the real threats posed by AI. Citing the concerns of leading AI developers and experts, she emphasised the importance of mitigating AI-related risks on a global scale.

Three Pillars for a Responsible AI Framework

The president outlined three key pillars for Europe’s leadership in shaping a global AI framework: Guardrails, governance, and guiding innovation.

Guardrails: Ensuring AI development remains human-centric, transparent, and responsible. The AI Act, a comprehensive pro-innovation AI law, was presented as a blueprint for the world. The focus now is on adopting the rules promptly and moving towards implementation.

Governance: Establishing a single governance system in Europe and collaborating with international partners to create a global panel similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for AI. This body would provide insights into the impact of AI on society and ensure coordinated global responses.
Guiding Innovation: Leveraging Europe’s leadership in supercomputing by opening up high-performance computers to AI start-ups for training their models. Additionally, fostering an open dialogue with AI developers and companies, akin to the voluntary safety, security, and trust rules adopted by major tech companies in the USA, is a crucial step.

Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime: Key takeaways from the 6th session

The 6th session of the UN Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime finished its work, yet many issues remain open. With the final round being scheduled for February 2024, states still have not yet agreed on whether to use the term cybercrime or ICTs for malicious purposes in the convention.

The latest draft (updated on 1 September 2023) had states debating over the scope of the convention, with China and Russia expressing their concern that the evolving landscape of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has not been adequately addressed. Regarding the criminalisation of offences, Russia emphasised the need to criminalise the use of ICTs for extremist and terrorist purposes, and together with Namibia and Malaysia, among other countries, supported the inclusion of digital assets regarding the laundering of proceeds of crimes. At the same time, countries, including the UK and Australia, opposed their inclusion, claiming that it does not fall within the convention’s scope.

Human rights provisions have raised concerns not only among the states but stakeholders as well. Namely, Microsoft stated that the current provisions enshrined under the latest draft could be ‘disastrous for human rights’. With regards to data protection measures, South Africa, the USA, and Russia proposed the collection of traffic data and interception of content data. At the same time, Singapore and Switzerland opposed this proposal, with the EU stressing that such measures threaten human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Negotiations on international cooperation also faced challenges, with Russia highlighting the importance of distinguishing between the location of data custodians and the places where data processing, storage, and transmission occur, especially in cloud computing. Additionally, countries including Pakistan, Iran, China, and Mauritania proposed the inclusion of Article 47 bis on cooperation between national authorities and service providers. Essentially, the cooperation should include reporting cybercrime offences as established under the convention, sharing expertise, training, preserving electronic evidence, and ensuring the confidentiality of requests received from law enforcement authorities.

An interesting proposal was that of Costa Rica and Paraguay to include the word ‘sustainability’ in Articles 52 and 56 for effective assistance and addressing cybercrime’s societal impact.

So the question remains: Have states agreed on the provisions? No. Will states debate a final round in February 2024? Yes. What will happen in case there is no consensus? The Bureau of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) will step in and confirm that two-thirds of the majority of present and voting representatives shall take the decisions.

Upcoming: IGF 2023

The 2023 edition of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will be held in Kyoto, Japan, 8–12 October, under the theme ‘The internet we want – empowering all people’.

The programme is developed around eight sub-themes:

AI and emerging technologies
Avoiding internet fragmentation
Cybersecurity, cybercrime and online safety
Data governance and trust
Digital divides and inclusion
Global digital governance and cooperation
Human rights and freedoms
Sustainability and environment

The forum will feature approximately 300 sessions, with a plethora of formats, including high-level sessions, main sessions, workshops, open forums, town halls, lightning talks, launches and awards, networking sessions, day 0 events, dynamic coalition sessions, and national and regional initiatives (NRIs) sessions.

Additionally, the IGF village, where 76 exhibitors will showcase their work, will be open for visitors.

Stay up-to-date with GIP reporting!
The Geneva Internet Platform will be actively involved in IGF 2023 by providing reports from IGF sessions for the 9th year in a row. This year, our human experts will be joined by DiploAI, which will generate reports from all IGF sessions.

We’ll also publish IGF daily reports throughout the week, and a final report will be published after the IGF.

Bookmark our dedicated IGF 2023 page on the Digital Watch Observatory or download the app to follow the reports. Subscribe to receive daily newsletters.

Banner highlighting the hybrid reporting by experts and Diplo AI at the IGF 2023

If you are attending the IGF in Kyoto, drop by our Diplo and GIP booth. If you’re joining the meeting online, check out our space in the virtual village.

DW Weekly #130 – 2 October 2023

Dear all,

It’s back to AI regulation today – from a US executive order in sight to new AI voluntary rules and industry pleas for regulation. In other news, net neutrality is making a comeback in the USA, with the communications commission’s proposal to restore the 2015 rules that were repealed in 2017. Amazon has been sued for antitrust violations in the USA, but managed to obtain a temporary suspension of the EU’s Digital Services Act obligations (we’ll report on this once the court delivers its judgement).

Let’s get started.

Stephanie and the Digital Watch team

// HIGHLIGHT //

Biden confirms AI executive order is imminent

US President Joe Biden’s executive order on AI will be issued in the coming weeks, he confirmed during a meeting of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in San Francisco last week.

The first time we heard about this was in July when Biden spoke of plans for new rules right after a meeting he had just held with AI companies. At the time, the president spoke of an executive order coming in summer, which was obviously delayed. It’s coming this autumn, he now said. But more than that, last week’s remarks offer new clues on what to expect.

Leveraging AI’s potential. Biden, a self-proclaimed AI enthusiast, said it would be a major failure if future generations looked back at our time and thought that we had the potential tools to explore and significantly increase our ability to help, and ‘we somehow messed it up’. One of the main focuses, therefore, is on harnessing the potential of AI for diverse areas such as research, healthcare, science, education, and more.

Protecting people from profound risk. Without clear rules of the road, Biden is wary that AI innovation could create serious dangers, hence the executive order’s strong emphasis on risk. But the fact that the leading 10 to 12 companies are developing AI tools with vast differences in their potential and risks creates a significant challenge for legislators: Which measures can tackle threats across the board in a way that doesn’t water down any regulatory action?

A good starting point. The AI Bill of Rights and other voluntary commitments already focus on safety, security, and trust, so the executive order will most likely build on them. In his address, Biden specifically referenced three voluntary measures companies are following, making it likely that these would be repeated in his executive action. The first would oblige companies to make sure AI is watertight before being released to the public. The second is the need for independent product testing: The White House has already supported red-teaming at DefCon, confirming this preference. The third is watermarking, which would address the ubiquitous issue of disinformation.

The path to bipartisan legislation. Biden also said his administration will ‘continue to work with bipartisan legislation’. Though the intention is there, a serious challenge here is time: Legislators are still working on fundamental questions, and the most we can expect is some narrow pieces of an AI regulatory regime in the current session of Congress.

A close ally: The UK. On the international front, Biden said the USA would work with international partners, singling out the UK, probably because it’s one of the few countries that is friendly to US-based AI companies. The UK’s upcoming AI Summit in November will focus primarily on managing the risks of frontier AI, that is, ‘highly capable general-purpose AI models that can perform a wide variety of tasks and match or exceed the capabilities present in today’s most advanced models’, according to the UK government’s pre-summit description released last week. If that sounds familiar, that’s precisely what OpenAI’s Sam Altman told US lawmakers recently.

A shift in focus. With AI companies calling for guardrails, legislators offering bipartisan support, and an executive order in sight, there’s a clear shift in focus in the USA. At home, the USA is shifting away from its traditional laissez-faire approach. The main question is, to what extent?

Digital policy roundup (25 September–2 October)

// AI GOVERNANCE //

UNGA78: Concerns over AI risks and use of lethal autonomous systems

Our coverage of the first week of the UN General Assembly’s general debate showed clearly that countries were worried about AI risks. What emerged during the second week was along the same lines: There’s an urgent need for global cooperation on how to navigate AI challenges.

A particularly worrying issue raised on the last day was the use of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) in armed conflict. A few countries said that until an international legal framework is put in place, LAWS should be banned.

Why is it relevant? International negotiations have been going on for years without much progress. Different countries have varying positions on LAWS: Some advocate for a complete ban, while others argue for strict regulations and safeguards. With AI risks on world leaders’ minds, there might be a better chance for the debate to move forward and reach a compromise.

New proposals. In parallel, the USA plans to propose international norms for the responsible military use of AI at the UN’s First Committee meeting in October. Costa Rica also said it was working on proposing a joint resolution with Austria and Mexico on autonomous weapons systems.

More resources. Read who said what at UNGA 78, and what they said about AI.

Canada launches voluntary AI code of conduct

Canada launched a new voluntary code of conduct for companies developing generative AI. The code includes measures for accountability, safety, fairness and equity, transparency, human oversight and monitoring, and validity and robustness. Signatories also commit to supporting the development of a responsible AI ecosystem in Canada and using AI to drive inclusive and sustainable growth while prioritising human rights, accessibility, and environmental sustainability.

Even though the code is voluntary and has been signed by OpenText, BlackBerry, and TELUS, among others, it has received some sharp criticism from Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke, who argued that Canada needs to focus on encouraging more innovation, not on regulating the sector.

Why is it relevant? Canada is following the recent trend of launching voluntary guidelines until legislation (in Canada’s case, the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), part of Bill C-27) is enacted.

Spotify CEO Tobi Lütke tweets: ‘Canadian government is announcing a code of conduct on AI today, another case of EFRAID. I won’t support it. We don’t need more referees in Canada. We need more builders. Let other countries regulate while we take the more courageous path and say “come build here”.’

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// NET NEUTRALITY //

US FCC proposes restoration of net neutrality rules

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is planning to restore the net neutrality rules that it introduced in 2015 (and which were repealed in 2017 under the previous FCC administration).

The announcement was made by FCC Chairperson Jessica Rosenworcel last week (watch or read), who said the FCC proposes to reclassify broadband under the so-called Title II of the US Communications Act. This would also reinstall the FCC’s authority to serve as a watchdog over the communications marketplace.

Why is it relevant? Net neutrality rules, which prevent ISPs from restricting or throttling internet access, have long been a major bone of contention. The 2015 Open Internet Order was a win for net neutrality proponents, but it didn’t last long. With a new majority of Democrat-appointed members on the commission, the current administration hopes to reinstate the original rules. The FCC will meet on 18 October: A vote in favour of this plan will kickstart the legislative process.

Screenshot of FCC Chairperson Rosenworcel’s remarks at the National Press Club links to the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_kVkxQ5DCA

// ANTITRUST //

FTC sues Amazon over alleged anti-competitive practices

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 17 state attorneys general sued Amazon for alleged anti-competitive behaviour.

The claims. The FTC and the states say that Amazon abuses its monopoly (in the online superstore market, and the online marketplace services market) using tactics such as forcing sellers to use Amazon’s logistics services, often at inflated prices, and anti-discounting measures that punish sellers and deter other online retailers from offering prices lower than Amazon, keeping prices higher for products across the internet.

‘Amazon is now exploiting its monopoly power to enrich itself while raising prices and degrading service for the tens of millions of American families who shop on its platform and the hundreds of thousands of businesses that rely on Amazon to reach them’, said FTC chairperson Lina Khan.

Why is it relevant? First, it’s a sweeping lawsuit that goes beyond what Amazon faces in other cases. Second, judging by the FTC’s track record (it recently failed to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision, though to be fair, the FTC hasn’t given up), there’s a chance that it could emerge largely unscathed. What’s more is that Amazon does have a compelling argument of providing customers with a huge option of products, and of providing retailers access to a global market.

Case details: Federal Trade Commission et al v. Amazon.com Inc, US District Court for the Western District of Washington, 2:23-cv-01495

EU launches preliminary investigation into Nvidia’s possible AI chip market abuse

The European Commission has been informally collecting views on potentially abusive practices by Nvidia, which produces chips used for AI and gaming, Bloomberg revealed. This comes after France’s competition authority carried out an ‘unannounced inspection […] in the graphics cards sector’, which was revealed to involve Nvidia.

Nvidia, a major player in the sector for graphics processing units (GPUs), is the only trillion-dollar semiconductor firm in the world.

Why is it relevant? This marks the first antitrust probe linked to hardware services used for AI. But it’s still premature to say what will happen next. The aim of early-stage investigations is for the European Commission to understand if it needs to intervene with more formal procedures, so there’s no certainty whether this will escalate.

The week ahead (2–9 October)

Ongoing till 31 October: The European Commission, together with other EU institutions, kicked off the annual European Cybersecurity Month campaign, aimed at raising cyber awareness amid increasing concern about online safety.

8–12 October: The annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF2023) takes place in Kyoto, Japan, and online starting next Sunday. As usual, we’ll be on the ground and actively engaged with reporting, analysis, and workshops. Sign up for daily newsletters and download our app to stay up-to-date with session reports and other updates.

#ReadingCorner

Tech Policy Press has created an online tracker for updates on Senator Chuck Schumer’s ongoing AI Insight Forum series of events, including who’s attending and what topics were discussed.

Originality.ai, a site that provides detection services for AI-generated content and plagiarism, has another online tracker: It lists the ongoing copyright and trademark lawsuits against OpenAI and ChatGPT.

The 6th session of the Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime left many questions unanswered. Two of the most critical issues of contention, related to terminology and the proposed convention’s scope, remained unresolved. With only one session to go – in February 2024 – the pressure’s on. Read our key takeaways from the penultimate session.

Caricature of people talking over each other and disagreeing.

Stephanie Borg Psaila – Author

Director of Digital Policy, DiploFoundation

Virginia Paque – Editor

Senior Editor Digital Policy, DiploFoundation

AI and Digital @ UNGA 78

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AI and Human Reporting from UN General Assembly 78

Last week, Diplo’s experts and AI system followed UN General Assembly 78 (UNGA 78). In this hybrid approach, we produced an overall summary of the UNGA General Debate and an in-depth analysis of inputs on AI and digital issues. Transcripts and analyses of national statements delivered at the UNGA are also available.

AI and Digital Issues @ UNGA 78

Compared to 2022, this year UNGA brought a sharp rise in AI coverage in national statements. It reflected a growing public interest in AI, triggered mainly by the launch of ChatGPT.

In total, 94 speakers covered digital themes, including the Secretary-General of the UN, the Holy See, and the EU. Overall, digital technology-related discussions constituted 2.51% of all language corpus produced by UNGA 78 speeches.

AI was featured in 39 speeches made during UNGA 78. Leaders also explored topics such as digital development (44), cybersecurity (23), content policy (7), economic considerations (4), and human rights (6).

In addition to the gist of digital coverage in national statements, you can consult full texts of statements at the Digital Watch Observatory’s dedicated page.

AI and Expert Analysis

artificial intelligence ai and machine learning ml

AI at UNGA 78: The topic on everyone’s lips

Focus on the transformative potential of AI and the urgent need for global cooperation in dealing with AI risks, including lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS). Read more.

AI at UNGA 78: The topic on everyone’s lips

Focus on the transformative potential of AI and the urgent need for global cooperation in dealing with AI risks, including lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS). Read more.

Technologies at UNGA 78: Caution and optimism blended in discussions

Calls for responsible advancement and international cooperation to tackle tech-related challenges resonated throughout discussions. Read more.

Technologies at UNGA 78: Caution and optimism blended in discussions

Calls for responsible advancement and international cooperation to tackle tech-related challenges resonated throughout discussions. Read more.

desktop flatlay laptop notebook pen and cash money lying on black background

Digital economy at UNGA 78: Growth and development

Discussion on digitalisation as a driver of economic growth and prosperity… Read more.

Digital economy at UNGA 78: Growth and development

Discussion on digitalisation as a driver of economic growth and prosperity… Read more.

$cybersecurity concept data protection digital technology there is padlock prominent shield left abstract circuit surrounding binary fractal code perspective design 1$

Cybersecurity at UNGA 78: Leaders addressed the evolving threat landscape

Focus on cyber threats amplified by AI and other new technologies… Read more.

$cybersecurity concept data protection digital technology there is padlock prominent shield left abstract circuit surrounding binary fractal code perspective design 1$

Cybersecurity at UNGA 78: Leaders addressed the evolving threat landscape

Focus on cyber threats amplified by AI and other new technologies… Read more.

Digital development at UNGA 78: Shaping the future through inclusion and capacity building

Highlighting the digital divide, inclusion, impact on climate change and supporting rights of future generations… Read more.

Digital development at UNGA 78: Shaping the future through inclusion and capacity building

Highlighting the digital divide, inclusion, impact on climate change and supporting rights of future generations… Read more.

fake news and misinformation concept image consisting of two internet cables on a laptop

Content governance at UNGA 78: Misinformation, disinformation and hate speech

The global surge of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, often amplified by AI and social media, poses a dire threat to social stability, democracy, and overall well-being… Read more.

Content governance at UNGA 78: Misinformation, disinformation and hate speech

The global surge of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, often amplified by AI and social media, poses a dire threat to social stability, democracy, and overall well-being… Read more.

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Human rights at UNGA 78: Calls for a human-centric digital future

Concerns over surveillance, calls for humanist traditions, and pleas for a human-centric tech approach resonated. Read more.

Human rights at UNGA 78: Calls for a human-centric digital future

Concerns over surveillance, calls for humanist traditions, and pleas for a human-centric tech approach resonated. Read more.

More on UNGA 78

Governing AI for Humanity: The role of UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on AI

The event on Governing AI for Humanity focused on the role of AI in accelerating progress towards the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). Here is our AI-generated report. Read more.

Governing AI for Humanity: The role of UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on AI

The event on Governing AI for Humanity focused on the role of AI in accelerating progress towards the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). Here is our AI-generated report. Read more.

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Diplomatic and AI hallucinations: How can thinking outside the box help solve global problems? – Diplo

We examine the use using AI “hallucinations” in diplomacy, showing how AI analysis of UN speeches can reveal unique insights. It argues that the unexpected outputs of AI could lead… Read more.

Diplomatic and AI hallucinations: How can thinking outside the box help solve global problems? – Diplo

We examine the use using AI “hallucinations” in diplomacy, showing how AI analysis of UN speeches can reveal unique insights. It argues that the unexpected outputs of AI could lead… Read more.

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Digital on Day 6 of UNGA78

Digital on Day 6 of UNGA78: A digital revolution for development

Welcome to our daily coverage of the General Debate of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA). This summary provides a comprehensive overview of how digital issues were tackled during day three of discussions on 26 September 2023. For real-time updates and in-depth reports on UNGA78, follow our live coverage on the Digital Watch Observatory‘s dedicated page through DiploAI reports, written by our AI reporting tool. Stay tuned for the final summary and data analysis from the entire General Debate!

Development: Digital revolution to achieve SDGs

In his speech, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, emphasised the transformative role of digital public infrastructure and the democratisation of technology as national objectives. Jaishankar highlighted the importance of digitally-enabled governance and delivery.

Secretary of Relations with States of the Holy See, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, emphasised that alongside technological advancement, there should be a parallel commitment to safeguarding our common home. He advocated for the responsible use of new technologies to combat the global crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Gallagher echoed the injustice that those contributing the least to pollution often bore the brunt of climate change’s adverse effects, i.e., developing countries. Hence, Gallagher stressed the urgency of taking action to protect the world we inhabit.

Tandi Dorji, Bhutan’s minister for foreign affairs, underscored countries’ willingness to engage constructively in preparing for the Summit of the Future. He also advocated for the work towards the elaboration of a Global Digital Compact, aimed at accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A notable achievement highlighted by Bhutan was the enactment of the National Digital Identity Act, making it the first nation worldwide to establish a legal framework for Self-Sovereign Identity, serving as a cornerstone for delivering digital services to its citizens.

Omar Hilale, chair of the delegation of Morocco, emphasised the necessity for international solidarity and cooperation in scientific research, particularly in areas such as AI, healthcare, energy transformation, and disaster management. Morocco called for the promotion of resilient societies through equity and social justice, underlining the importance of a multilateral system centred around the UN.

Damiano Beleffi, chair of the delegation of San Marino, focused on the significance of digital education and highlighted their support for the outcomes of the 2022 UN Transforming Education Summit. San Marino called upon member states to ensure the global spread of digitalisation, particularly in developing countries.

Stanley Kakubo, minister for foreign affairs of Zambia, drew attention to the potential of digital technology, particularly AI, to enhance citizens’ quality of life. They envisioned AI applications in healthcare and agriculture to bridge gaps. Zambia stressed the importance of forging alliances for technology development, sharing digital resources, and establishing regulations to promote social and economic development. They called for the responsible and ethical use of digital technologies to ensure information security and integrity. Zambia also urged support and investment in digital infrastructure and the provision of affordable devices and internet services, particularly in least developed countries.

Maldives’ Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Khaleel, provided an update on the country’s progress toward the 2030 Agenda, emphasising the pivotal role of physical and digital connectivity in achieving these goals. He noted that the country is undergoing a digital revolution with the proliferation of online education, telemedicine and e-payment systems, with the aim of bringing services closer to its citizens.

AI: Addressing ethical dilemmas

Many people are concerned about AI, noted Chair of the Delegation of Canada, Robert Rae, adding that Canadians are no exception. Minister for External Affairs of Cameroon, Lejeune Mbella Mbella, emphasised the need to confront this challenge, while Denis Ronaldo Moncada Colindres, minister for foreign affairs of Nicaragua, underscored the universal right for all people to benefit from the advancements in science and technology like AI, as technologies are fruits of human intelligence. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, minister for external affairs of India, further highlighted that the New Delhi G20 outcomes prioritise issues related to the responsible harnessing of AI.

Secretary of Relations with States of the Holy See, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, expressed the pressing need for serious ethical contemplation regarding the integration of supercomputer systems into daily life. Entrusting decisions about an individual’s life and future to algorithms is unacceptable, he stressed. This is also valid in the development of the use of lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), Gallagher noted.

The use of LAWS in armed conflicts must align with international humanitarian law, Gallagher stated and advocated for negotiations on a legally binding instrument to govern their use. Until such negotiations are concluded, the Holy See called for a moratorium on their deployment. Gallagher underscored the importance of ensuring meaningful human oversight in weapon systems, citing the unique capability of human beings to assess the ethical implications and responsibilities.

In the pursuit of addressing these challenges, the Holy See extended support for the establishment of an International Organization for Artificial Intelligence. Its mission would be to facilitate the exchange of scientific and technological information for peaceful purposes, promoting the common good and integral human development.

Security: Enhancing security in the digital world

Jamaica recognises the threat posed to peace and security in the digital space, Kamina Johnson Smith, minister for foreign affairs and foreign trade of Jamaica, noted. The country is actively working to enhance its domestic cybersecurity capabilities and is also involved in multilateral efforts to address cybersecurity issues. Additionally, she expressed Jamaica’s honour in leading the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) efforts towards the development of a UN Convention on Cybercrime.

Marc Hermanne Gninadoou Araba, chair of the delegation of Benin, acknowledged that addressing modern challenges, including cybersecurity, requires reforms supported by clear and resolute political determination.

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DW Weekly #129 – 25 September 2023

DigWatch Weekly 100th issue 1920x1080px generic

Dear readers,

Momentum for a new international AI governance body under the UN is growing. Last week’s UN General Assembly debate showed that it’s a matter of when, not if. In other news, OpenAI was sued for copyright infringement again, while competition authorities kept busy with new AI principles, merger reviews, and antitrust practices.

Let’s get started.

Stephanie and the Digital Watch team

// HIGHLIGHT //

Countries worried about AI risks; UN ready to host global AI body

If you want to know which policies are top priority for any country’s leader, just go through their address during the UN General Assembly’s annual debate.

As anticipated, more than one-third of country leaders who addressed last week’s debate (which concludes tomorrow) spoke about their concerns over AI risks. Failing to tackle the risks will undoubtedly spoil any benefits that AI has to offer.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who opened the debate, is urging new forms of governance for emerging threats. He’s been among the first to mention AI at the UN’s general debate; now, he says, it’s on everyone’s minds. And he’s right.

A global entity on AI. Guterres believes that a new UN agency might hold the key to effectively governing AI. In July, he told the UN Security Council that he welcomed calls from member states for the creation of a new UN body for AI, inspired by entities such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Reiterating these models as inspiration, last week he added: ‘The UN stands ready to host the global and inclusive discussions that are needed, depending on the decisions of member states.’

Which countries support a new AI body? French President Emmanuel Macron was among the first to call for an IPCC for AI; European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also lent her support.

After last week’s debate, the list of countries in favour of a new AI body and supporting the UN’s work has continued to grow. Spain offered to host ‘the headquarters of the future International Artificial Intelligence Agency’. South Korea said it would support the creation of an international organisation under the UN by organising a Global AI Forum. Others shared their support more generally: No one country can single-handedly address AI governance. (For more coverage, head to our UNGA 78th session reporting page).

Tech companies are also in favour. In May, ChatGPT-maker OpenAI called for a new AI watchdog akin to the IAEA (though, to be precise, they want it to handle future superintelligence rather than tackle existing AI). In August, researchers from Microsoft and a few non-profit centres called for an International AI Organization (IAIO) that could work with national and regional regulators to develop standards and certify jurisdictions (rather than directly overseeing AI tech companies).

Until then? The UN’s next step is the newly-established High-Level Advisory Body on AI, whose membership will be announced in the coming weeks. In an interview, the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, Amandeep Gill (who also believes that a new UN agency is the answer to help steer this disruptive technology) said that the 32-member body will be asked to present the Secretary-General with options for the international governance of AI by the end of the year. They will then be asked to develop more detailed recommendations by mid-next year. By next September’s Summit of the Future, Gill hopes that the conclusions of the high-level body will help member states decide on whether and how they should support a new UN agency.

It’s just the beginning. It’s not a secret that things at the UN take a long time to develop. The fact that so many countries are in favour is a strong recipe for success, but that’s just the start.

Countries will need to determine the new body’s mandate and how far it will be allowed to go. An overly ambitious mandate could halt progress in its tracks – as the lethal autonomous weapons (LAWs) discussions showed us – and as the UN negotiations on a new cybercrime treaty hint at.

A light touch could make it toothless, but will have better chances of taking off. The work of the Council of Europe’s Commission on AI and the G7’s Hiroshima process are good examples of finding common denominators, and building on them.

No longer if. For those few countries who haven’t yet made up their minds about whether the world needs an AI governance framework, the UK’s address may be just what they need to hear:

‘At this frontier, we need to accept that we simply do not know the bounds of possibilities… We are as Edison before the light came on… or as Tim Berners-Lee before the first email was sent. They could not – surely – have respectively envisaged the illumination of the New York skyline at night… or the wonders of the modern internet… but they suspected the transformative power of their inventions.’

It is no longer a matter of if, but rather a matter of when and how.

Digital policy roundup (18–25 September)

// AI GOVERNANCE //

UK’s competition authority proposes new AI principles

The British anti-trust regulator, the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA), has proposed seven principles to guide the development and deployment of AI foundational models (the technology that’s been trained on vast amounts of data to carry out a wide range of tasks and operations).

The principles were issued as part of the CMA’s review of existing models, and will go through an iterative process based on consultations with stakeholders.

Why is this relevant? First, the principles come ahead of the UK’s AI Safety Summit in November. Any measure that the UK introduces during this time will influence the guidance the country provides to the nations it will host. Second, beyond the summit, the CMA thinks AI regulation will still be needed as AI develops further (as long as the regulations are proportionate). Although it’s in line with British lawmakers’ call for new rules, this won’t appease parliamentarians who have been urging for new rules to be introduced before November.

// COPYRIGHT //

OpenAI sued for copyright… again

Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin is among a group of writers who filed a class-action lawsuit against OpenAI last week in a federal court in New York. The Authors Guild, a writers’ organisation, and the 17 authors are accusing the company of utilising their books without permission, to train ChatGPT.

‘The core of these algorithms revolves around systematic theft on a massive scale,’ the lawsuit states. The authors are requesting a prohibition on the usage of copyrighted books, as well as damages.

Why is it relevant? It seems that new copyright lawsuits are being filed every week, adding to the long list of litigation: Just a fortnight ago, OpenAI (and Microsoft) faced two new cases in California. But it also looks like companies are ready to fight back. Microsoft is arguing that the authors have failed to demonstrate that Llama’s software code or output substantially resembled their works. Plus, Microsoft says the company used the copyrighted material under the fair use doctrine.

Case details: Authors Guild et al v OpenAI, District Court, Southern District of New York, 1:23-cv-8292

// CYBERCRIME //

International Criminal Court says it has been hacked

The International Criminal Court (ICC) said its network had been hacked, seeing unusual activity at the end of last week. A few days later, the court was still operating with disruptions to email and document-sharing, the ICC confirmed in a statement sent to the press.

The court, renowned as one of the world’s most prominent international institutions, deals with sensitive information regarding war crimes. It refrained from providing any further details on the severity of the hack, the status of its resolution, or the potential perpetrators behind it.

Why is it relevant? The ICC is working on its first-ever policy on cybercrime, which it plans to release in the coming months. The ICC’s lead prosecutor, Karim Khan, also recently confirmed that his office will be collecting and reviewing evidence of cybercrimes as part of its ongoing work. He thinks that some of the states’ conduct we see today could have the attributes of grave crimes that the ICC was established to prosecute. Considering the sensitive information the court handles, criminals might have viewed these recent developments as extra fodder.

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// ANTITRUST //

UK set to approve Microsoft’s Activision deal

The UK’s CMA said that Microsoft’s new restructured deal to acquire Activision Blizzard appeared to address the concerns the CMA had raised. It looks like the deal will be approved by the CMA.

As part of a new agreement, Microsoft has granted Ubisoft, the French video games publisher, the rights to stream Activision games from the cloud for 15 years.

Why is it relevant? The UK held off on its go-ahead, despite the fact that the deal was approved by its US and EU counterparts earlier this year. The authority’s chief, Sarah Cardell, couldn’t resist telling Microsoft off: ‘It would have been far better, though, if Microsoft had put forward this restructure during our original investigation. This case illustrates the costs, uncertainty, and delay that parties can incur if a credible and effective remedy option exists but is not put on the table at the right time.’

Intel hit with EU antitrust fine in decades-old case

Intel was fined EUR376 million (USD400 million) last week in an EU antitrust case over the chipmaker’s anti-competitive practice of blocking rivals.

The European Commission had originally imposed a fine of EUR1.06 billion in 2009 after it ruled that Intel had engaged in two specific illegal practices – one known as conditional rebates (providing hidden rebates to computer manufacturers for purchasing CPUs from the company) and the other, naked restrictions (paying manufacturers to halt the release of products containing CPUs from rival companies). In 2022, the European Court of Justice overruled the 2009 commission decision on Intel’s rebates practices, but confirmed the naked restrictions. Last week’s fine reinstates the penalty for this remaining breach.

Why is it relevant? The European Commission doesn’t hesitate to fine companies for anticompetitive practices, even when it involves companies operating in critical sectors vital to the EU, such as semiconductors. Since it’s only one infraction, though, it’s a (much) lower fine.

The week ahead (25 September–2 October)

Ongoing till 26 September: The high-level debate of the UN General Assembly’s 78th session comes to an end tomorrow.

Ongoing till 13 October: The digital policy issues that are being tackled during the 54th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) include cyberbullying and digital literacy.

AI governance: An update on what’s ahead

8–12 October: AI discussions are set to take centre stage at the upcoming Internet Governance Forum (IGF2023) in Japan. As the host country, currently leading the G7, expect Japan to provide updates on the G7 Hiroshima AI Process.

1–2 November: The UK’s AI Safety Summit will focus on tackling AI risks. And after weeks of rumours, the UK government has now confirmed that it extended an invitation to China.
12–14 December: The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) will hold its annual summit in India.

#ReadingCorner

Cover of the publication 'SDG Digital Acceleration Agenda'

Some good news: Fewer people without internet access
New data from ITU shows progress in internet connectivity. The latest statistics for 2023 indicate a global reduction in the number of individuals without internet access to approximately 2.6 billion, down from 2.7 billion in 2022. The news arrives at a time of heightened attention to the role of digital technologies in advancing the realisation of the 2030 Agenda.

Stephanie Borg Psaila – Author

Director of Digital Policy, DiploFoundation

Virginia Paque – Editor

Senior editor – Digital Policy, DiploFoundation

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Digital on Days 4 and 5 of UNGA78

Digital on Days 4 and 5 of UNGA78: Change, complexities, and fears

Welcome to our daily coverage of the General Debate of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA). This summary provides a comprehensive overview of how digital issues were tackled during days four and five of discussions on 22 and 23 September 2023. For real-time updates and in-depth reports on UNGA78, follow our live coverage on the Digital Watch Observatory‘s dedicated page through DiploAI reports, written by our AI reporting tool.

Technology: One of the biggest challenges and fears

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and its impact on global affairs, nations around the world have voiced their perspectives on the roles and implications of technological advancements. In this diverse chorus of voices, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, prime minister, minister for defence, home affairs, and external communications, minister for Rodrigues, outer islands, and territorial integrity of Mauritius, underscored the profound changes brought about by the ICT revolution. Robert Abela, prime minister of Malta, reflected on the fear of technology’s dominance, while Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, prime minister and minister for foreign affairs and trade of Samoa, emphasised global solidarity in addressing technology-related threats. Terrance Micheal Drew, prime minister and minister for finance, national security and immigration, health, and social security of Saint Kitts and Nevis, recognised the confluence of international complexities and new technologies, while Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, minister for foreign affairs and international cooperation of Djibouti, acknowledged both the promise and fears associated with technological innovation.

AI: The tide that cannot be held back

The most discussed digital topic of 22 and 23 September was AI.

Mia Amor Mottley, prime minister, minister for national security and the public service, and minister for finance, economic affairs, and investment of Barbados, recognised that AI often takes a backseat in global discourse, overshadowed by the pressing drama and crises surrounding climate change. However, as North Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski cautioned, AI, although newly emerging, is already causing significant changes in our lives.

Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves, painted a sobering picture, declaring that the risk levels associated with human-induced disasters, including climate change and AI, have reached unprecedented levels. Gonsalves noted that AI is one of the contemporary drivers of insecurity and conflict. He questioned the global response to these existential threats.

Oliver Dowden, deputy prime minister and chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and secretary of state in the Cabinet Office of the UK, also emphasised mitigating the risk of extinction from AI. Dowden shared vivid examples of the dangers AI can pose, from teens hacking bank details to terrorists targeting government systems and cybercriminals manipulating voters with deepfakes and bots. Moreover, Dowden raised the alarm about frontier AI, which surpasses human understanding and presents unique risks of misuse, misadventure, or misalignment with human objectives.

Hamza Abdi Barre, prime minister of Somalia, expressed deep concerns about new technologies like AI, highlighting the terrifying threats they may pose, while Tobias Billström, minister for foreign affairs of Sweden, underscored the challenges AI presents for international security and human rights.

Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs of Ethiopia, called for the responsible use of new technologies like AI to ensure they benefit humanity, a sentiment echoed by Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, who emphasised AI’s potential to bring more freedom, prevent wars, and enhance people’s lives. Samuel Matekane, prime minister and head of government and minister for defence, national security, and environment of Lesotho, also warned against losing sight of the need to address threats to people’s rights, safety, and privacy.

Vivian Balakrishnan, minister for foreign affairs of Singapore, addressed the necessity of preparing for the risks and equitable distribution of benefits in the digital and AI era, with a particular focus on concerns related to autonomous weapons. Balakrishnan emphasised that AI is set to profoundly change our traditional military doctrines and strategic deterrence. Notably, the rapid deployment of AI-driven weapons will significantly reduce decision-making time for leaders, potentially sidelining human involvement. This raises the risk of unintended conflicts or escalated hostilities. Furthermore, while nuclear escalation remains a concern, the introduction of AI in conflict scenarios has magnified this risk considerably.

Gaston Alphonso Browne, prime minister and minister for finance, corporate governance, and public-private partnership of Antigua and Barbuda, highlighted his deep concern that organised criminal groups might illicitly use autonomous weapons. Browne backed the recent appeal made by the UN Secretary-General to establish a binding legal framework to prohibit the use of lethal autonomous weapon systems by 2026 in response to these challenges.

Amid these considerations, Mottley (Barbados) emphasised the paramount importance of ensuring that AI, particularly generative AI, is harnessed for positive purposes rather than nefarious ones.

We have much to gain, noted Netanyahu (Israel). The speaker highlighted many positive use cases of the technology:

Imagine the blessings of finally cracking the genetic code, extending human life by decades, and dramatically reducing the ravages of old age. Imagine healthcare tailored to each individual’s genetic composition and predictive medicine that prevents diseases long before they occur. Imagine robots helping to care for the elderly. Imagine the end of traffic jams with self-driving vehicles on the ground, below the ground, and in the air. Imagine personalized education that cultivates each person’s full potential throughout their lifetime. Imagine a world with boundless clean energy and natural resources for all nations.

Imagine precision agriculture and automated factories that yield food and goods in an abundance that ends hunger and want. I know this sounds like a John Lennon song, but it could all happen. Imagine that we could achieve the end of scarcity, something that eluded humanity for all history. It’s all within our reach. And here’s something else within our reach. With AI, we can explore the heavens as never before and extend humanity beyond our blue planet.

Xavier Espot Zamora, head of government of Andorra, also noted that AI can help us improve our living conditions, while Billström (Sweden) noted that AI and other emerging technologies can accelerate our efforts on the SDGs.

If leaders make the right decisions, Abela (Malta) noted optimistically, AI can have a positive impact on societies.

Multilateral action on AI: The way forward

According to Dowden, the UK is determined to be in the vanguard, drawing from its heritage of the industrial revolution and the computing revolution, as well as the UK’s current circumstances with frontier companies, world-leading universities, and some of the highest investments in generative AI. However, Dowden acknowledged that the most important actions would be taken internationally, as tech companies and non-state actors often have country-sized influence and prominence in AI. ‘This challenge requires a new form of multilateralism,’ Dowden highlighted.

Other nations’ representatives echoed the call for common action and international cooperation. Pendarovski (North Macedonia) emphasised that without a joint pact for the future, no single country or group of countries can adequately respond to the challenges posed by AI. Abela (Malta) underscored the need for global action, recognising that technology is evolving rapidly and has vast potential. He asserted that failing to work together on AI is not a viable option. Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, minister for foreign affairs of Iceland, stressed the need for close multilateral cooperation to address the profound questions raised by AI and prevent it from becoming a destructive tool.

Nanaia Mahuta, minister for foreign affairs and local government of New Zealand, stressed that international rules and limits on autonomous weapons systems are needed, as well as establishing clear norms to address the responsible use of other new and emerging technologies, including AI. Enrique Austria Manalo, secretary for foreign affairs of the Philippines, noted that the country is working with partners for rules to govern lethal autonomous weapon systems (LAWS). The Philippines is hosting an Indo-Pacific meeting on LAWS in December.

Some countries also highlighted the role of the UN in tackling AI: Mottley (Barbados) emphasised the necessity of establishing an appropriate regulatory framework and expressed support for the actions of the Secretary-General in this regard. Billström (Sweden) highlighted the importance of shaping a shared vision for new technologies, such as AI, to be rooted in the values of the UN Charter, to harness their potential and mitigate associated risks. Yvan Gil Pinto, minister of the people’s power for foreign affairs of Venezuela, emphasised that the regulation of AI should become a strategic priority for the UN. Dowden (the UK) noted that the AI revolution is a test for the UN to collaborate effectively on an issue that will profoundly impact humanity and the planet’s future.

Arnoldo Ricardo André Tinoco, minister for foreign affairs and worship of Costa Rica, highlighted the need for new governance frameworks for the militarisation of new technologies. He noted that Costa Rica will present a resolution to the UN General Assembly on the matter of autonomous weapons systems, together with Austria and Mexico. Manalo (the Philippines) called for UN partnerships that guarantee that new technologies are not weaponised or misused in any way to subvert democracy and freedom.

Balakrishnan (Singapore) stressed that global dialogue about LAWS must be started, and must be started under the auspices of the UN. Balakrishnan also welcomed the Secretary-General’s decision to convene a high-level advisory body on AI. Balakrishnan is optimistic that the UN and the multilateral system will be able to establish norms on fast-emerging critical technologies.

Dowden (the UK) noted that governments should cooperate with the best academics and researchers to evaluate technologies. Netanyahu (Israel) noted that the perils of AI can be avoided by combining the forces of human and machine intelligence to usher in a brilliant future.

Development: Nations address the digital divide and advocate for equal access to technology

Abela (Malta) stressed the urgent need to address the digital divide. This emphasis extends beyond just closing the gap in digital access, as Malta also prioritises equipping citizens with essential digital skills. Abela (Malta) also called for global collaboration to reduce this divide, recognising it as a collective responsibility transcending borders. Balakrishnan (Singapore) advocated for the adoption of the Global Digital Compact, emphasising the importance of bridging the global digital divide. Singapore commits to supporting small states in digital development, highlighting inclusivity in the digital age. The launch of the Digital Force platform for collaboration among small states further illustrates their commitment.

Jugnauth (Mauritius) advocated for collaborative efforts in harnessing digital tools, believing that international cooperation can accelerate digital development. He also highlighted the significance of increased investment in education, treated as a global public good, to nurture the required digital skills in the digital age. On a similar note, Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, stated that Georgia’s commitment to allocating resources for digital literacy and bridging the digital divide reflects an understanding that access alone is insufficient.

Manasseh Damukana Sogavare, the prime minister of the Solomon Islands, stated that the nation emphasises infrastructure resilience, digital connectivity, and technology transfer. He underscored the need for robust technological infrastructure to support digital access and the transfer of knowledge and technology from more developed regions to less developed ones. On the same note, Mata’afa (Samoa) acknowledged the potential of a digitised world to connect remote communities

Matekane (Lesotho) emphasised the significance of digital access in the modern era, particularly in healthcare. Additionally, Matekane noted the positive effects of digital access at the national level, particularly among youth, including girls and women, which resulted in heightened civic engagement. However, he acknowledged challenges in providing full digital access in rural areas due to infrastructure and affordability issues, which perpetuate inequalities. Lesotho is committed to addressing these disparities for greater inclusivity. Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, minister for foreign affairs of Indonesia, echoed the need for developed nations to fulfil their responsibilities, particularly in areas like climate financing, green investment, and technology transfer. Marsudi stressed that technology and innovation should be accessible to all, not limited to a select few. Ensuring developing countries have access to secure digital technologies, including AI, is crucial for sustainable future growth.

Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, minister for foreign affairs of Bahrain, highlighted its significant achievements in digital transformation. Bahrain has assumed the role of leading the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and has secured membership in the Council of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Moreover, Bahrain has gained recognition as a prominent player in the field of e-government, achieving the top global ranking for internet accessibility. Furthermore, Bahrain is undertaking a national strategy to support the advancement of the fourth industrial revolution and the digital economy.

John Rosso, deputy prime minister and minister for immigration, lands, and physical planning of Papua New Guinea, underscored the importance of ICT for e-Government. Nabil Ammar, minister for foreign affairs, migration and Tunisians abroad, underscored that Tunisia is committed to digital transformation while also prioritising social protection for all citizens. Saleumxay Kommasith, deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs of Lao PDR drew attention to the outcome of the G77 and China Summit, where heads of state and governments of developing countries echoed that science, technology, and innovation, including ICT, have become fundamental in addressing global challenges and advancing the 2030 Agenda.
Finally, Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, minister of state for international cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, highlighted plans to launch a digital platform for humanitarian support that utilises advanced technologies for disaster response.

Security: International partnerships needed to tackle cyber threats

In the evolving landscape of global security, nations addressed a spectrum of challenges and opportunities stemming from the digital age. Pham Minh Chinh, prime minister of Vietnam, underscored the complexity of non-traditional security threats, such as threats to cybersecurity, while Pendarovski (North Macedonia) noted that cyber threats have already become part of our lives.

Various countries highlighted cybercrime as a concern. Jugnauth (Mauritius) acknowledged the cross-border challenge cybercrime poses. Mata’afa (Samoa) underlined the imperative of protecting citizens from cyber fraud and attacks.

Sheikh Hasina, prime minister of Bangladesh, noted that terrorist threats are taking new shapes due to the misuse of ICT. Manalo (the Philippines) raised concerns about new forms of warfare, including cyber and space-based warfare.

Raymond Ndong Sima, prime minister of Gabon, noted that solutions to contemporary threats, particularly cyber insecurity, must be reinvented. Tinoco (Costa Rica) emphasised the urgent need for new governance frameworks to combat cybercrime and bolster cybersecurity. Pinto (Venezuela) advocated for the strategic prioritisation of cyberspace protection and the fight against cybercrime to safeguard sovereignty and prevent destabilisation.

A few representatives noted that solutions to cybersecurity issues should be international in nature. José Ulisses Correia e Silva, prime minister and minister of reform of Cabo Verde, underscored the significance of international partnerships to confront cybercrime. In Mahuta’s (New Zealand) view, digital challenges such as cyber threats and online extremism should be addressed through collaborative efforts involving governments, civil society, and industry, exemplified by initiatives like the Christchurch Call to Action. Another collaborative effort is the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on ICT Security, chaired by Singapore, whose representative highlighted that the group has made steady progress and can offer useful lessons for other areas. Mata’afa (Samoa) also emphasised the importance of OEWG’s work and called for international assistance to fortify critical infrastructure and financial institutions against cyber threats.

wp.dig.watch

UN OEWG

This page provides detailed and real-time coverage on cybersecurity, peace and security negotiations at UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on security of and in the use of information and communications technologies 2021–2025. Read more.

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UN OEWG

Sociocultural: Fake news and freedom of speech

In the contemporary landscape, the influence of fake news is an undeniable force, and nations worldwide are grappling with its ramifications. Pendarovski (North Macedonia) acknowledged the insidious nature of this phenomenon. However, North Macedonia is not alone in its concerns. Mottley (Barbados) voiced deep concerns about the impact of fake news on the very foundations of democracy, emphasising the vital need for accurate information as a foundation for a healthy democracy. Al Zayani (Bahrain) drew attention to the need to prevent the misuse of freedoms and media platforms, particularly in matters related to religious contempt, extremism, terrorism, and intolerance. Finally, Gylfadóttir (Iceland) stressed the importance that society make a clear distinction between individual freedom of expression and state-sponsored propaganda or artificially generated misinformation. Iceland emphasised that human rights and freedom are meant for individuals and not for automated bots.

Economic: Digital economies prioritised for prosperity

Abela (Malta) emphasised Malta’s achievements in leveraging digital technology and dismantling trade and tariff barriers to venture into sectors once inaccessible to smaller nations. The conclusion drawn by Malta is that it is important to avoid using protectionism. Similarly, Chinh (Vietnam) noted that Vietnam aims to transition into a green, digital, circular economy, promoting innovation, reducing trade barriers, and seeking free trade agreements. Silva (Cabo Verde) stated that Cabo Verde wishes to transform itself into a digital nation and diversify its economy. Kommasith (Lao PDR) highlighted a preference for a digital economy over resource-driven economies. In this context, the Lao PDR has adopted its National Digital Economy Development Vision and Strategy.

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Digital on Day 3 of UNGA78

Digital on Day 3 of UNGA78: Bringing a digital focus to SDGs

Welcome to our daily coverage of the General Debate of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA). This summary provides a comprehensive overview of how digital issues were tackled during day three of discussions on 21 September 2023. For real-time updates and in-depth reports on UNGA78, follow our live coverage on the Digital Watch Observatory‘s dedicated page through DiploAI reports, written by our AI reporting tool.

Development: Bringing a digital focus to SDGs

Countries underscored the central role of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in their development agendas. These statements resonated with a broader interpretation of the SDGs in connection to ‘digital’, emphasising the critical importance of addressing digital transitions, reducing inequalities, promoting gender equality, and harnessing technology for sustainable development and well-being. Several countries recognised the profound significance of integrating digital advancements into their development strategies to achieve broader global goals.

As we summarise what countries said, we also link their statements with the relevant SDGs.

President of Timor-Leste, José Ramos-Horta, emphasised the challenges faced in the digital age, particularly by women and children who continue to experience extreme poverty and deprivation of basic freedoms. This aligns with SDG 5 (gender equality), which aims to empower women and girls and promote their rights. Ensuring equal access to digital opportunities can contribute to achieving this goal.

Serbia acknowledged the importance of the fourth industrial revolution and new technologies for development. The country is actively investing in infrastructure, economic reforms, and improving the business environment, focusing on digitisation and education. The emphasis on digitisation and reform aligns with SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure), which promotes technological progress. The focus on investment in infrastructure and education aligns with SDG 4 (quality education), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education.

President of Dominica, Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, highlighted the role of ICTs in accelerating the realisation of the 2030 Agenda. This relates to SDG 9. Effective use of ICTs can facilitate progress in multiple SDGs.

President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, pointed out the widening North-South digital divide, financial crises, and energy transition. This is connected to SDG 10 (reduced inequalities) and bridging the digital divide can contribute to reducing other disparities as well.

President and Head of State of Nauru, Russ Kun, emphasised the need for support and technical expertise in utilising digital technologies for healthcare. This aligns with SDG 3 (good health and well-being), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. Using e-medicine and digital technologies can improve healthcare access and outcomes. Nauru also discussed the potential of reviewing education delivery models and improving ICT infrastructure in schools; which is directly connected to SDG 4 – which also aims to ensure inclusive education. Integrating technology into education can enhance learning opportunities and prepare students for the digital future.

President of Albania, Bajram Begaj, recognised the need for comprehensive policy commitments to drive various transitions, including digital. This aligns with multiple SDGs, including SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), SDG 2 (zero hunger), and SDG 9. Comprehensive policies can facilitate progress across these areas.
Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, highlighted the importance of investing in infrastructure, education, and the green and digital transition. This aligns with SDG 4, SDG 7, and SDG 9. These investments can contribute to sustainable development in various aspects.

AI: Balancing challenges and opportunities

Our world is marked with complex realities, and disruptive technologies like AI that need to be tackled, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg, noted. AI, particularly in military contexts, has evolved into a focal point for global geopolitical rivalry, President of the European Council of the European Union, Charles Michel, noted. Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, underlined that the dual nature of AI demands informed discussions on its potential misuse. The technology must be regulated in a multilateral way, he underscored.
Nevertheless, amidst these challenges, there are positive developments to consider. President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, highlighted that Serbia has established an AI institute, which aims to assist the growth of the knowledge-based economy in the field of AI.

Security: Less focus on cyber threats

Only two counties mentioned cybersecurity during Day 3 of the discussions, which is a slight decline from 5 countries on Day 2 and 6 countries on Day 1. Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, acknowledged new risks in cybersecurity and highlighted the need for a collective approach to addressing security issues, underscoring the Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad of Togo, Robert Dussey, acknowledged that the African cyberspace is vulnerable to cybercriminals.

Digital behemoths China and France: Curiously silent

Upon noticing that the two digital behemoths, China and France, did not address digital issues during the General Debate, we decided to delve into our database of General Debate reports, dating back to 2017 to check if this silence is curious or to be expected.

2022: China acknowledged that societies are becoming increasingly digitalised. France did not mention digital issues.

2021: China expressed its commitment to advancing cooperation in the digital economy. France underlined that universal human rights must be upheld in the digital realm and highlighted plans for the EU’s Digital Markets Act. The country invited partners to join the Christchurch Call to Action and establish a new digital order.

2020: China did not mention digital issues. France emphasised the need for new governance to protect the digital space from capture, piracy and manipulation, highlighting its involvement in initiatives like the International Partnership for Information and Democracy and the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI). France stressed the importance of concrete actions from major operators and platforms and a commitment to regional legislation and regulation if these commitments are not met. The country also reflected on the significance of the post-Cold War era and the necessity to rethink global value chains, particularly in strategic sectors like health, digital technology, and AI.

2019: China did not mention digital issues. France expressed concern about rising trade tensions and the impact of technological changes. France also highlighted the unprecedented global scientific collaboration to identify and tackle challenges, including those associated with technological revolutions.

2018: China acknowledged the UN’s role in addressing non-traditional security challenges, particularly in areas like cyberspace. The country further emphasised the importance of upholding state sovereignty, following rules, and honouring responsibilities in the realms of cybersecurity. It strongly condemned terrorism and insisted that Security Council resolutions are diligently enforced to combat cyberterrorism, terrorist financing, and disseminate radical ideologies, addressing the roots of terrorism. France emphasised the importance of collective action in establishing contemporary rules for the digital transformation era, particularly in reconciling AI development with ethical guidelines. It pointed out that we can only maintain sovereignty and equality among nations through such collective efforts. France also called for the involvement of major non-state actors, particularly digital giants, in addressing issues like taxation and responsibility in countering information manipulation.

2017: China did not mention digital issues. France underlined the importance of combating terrorist use of the internet and their funding sources. France also announced plans to host a conference in 2018 to address this issue.

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Digital on Day 2 of UNGA78

Digital on Day 2 of UNGA78: AI – Not a lawless domain

Welcome to our daily coverage of the General Debate of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA). This summary was generated by humans and provides a comprehensive overview of how digital issues were tackled during day two of discussions on 20 September 2023. For real-time updates and in-depth reports on UNGA78, follow our live coverage on the Digital Watch Observatory‘s dedicated page through DiploAI reports, written by our AI reporting tool.

Technologies: Caution and optimism blend in discussions

Speakers on Day 2 were cautious when it came to discussing digital technologies, yet acknowledged the potential positive impact of emerging technologies. Suriname’s president Chandrikapersad Santokhi recognised the increasing reach and impact of digital technologies, the Marshall Islands’ president David Kabua acknowledged the role of new advances in enhancing connectivity between people, and Slovakian president Zuzana Čaputová highlighted the potential benefits in areas like connectivity, public health, and climate change.

But there were also several warnings issued. Mongolian president Khurelsukh Ukhnaa pointed out that rapid technological advancements pose a challenge, Chilean president Gabriel Boric Font noted that new technologies could also be sources of new injustices, Sao Tome and Principe’s Prime Minister Patrice Emery Trovoada highlighted how digital technologies could exacerbate inequality, wealth concentration, and domination, while Slovakia cautioned against the potential threat emerging technologies pose to democratic values.

As Suriname emphasised, it is crucial to harness the advantages of the technological revolution to create an accessible, transparent, safe, and secure digital transformation environment. Chile also noted that while societies must make progress, they must do it in a responsible way, making sure that new technologies benefit, not threaten, people.

AI: not a lawless domain

Speakers on Day 2 echoed the messages of Day 1 that AI must be regulated. A grim picture of a world with unchecked AI was painted by the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Giorgia Meloni:

The applications of this new technology may offer great opportunities in many fields, but we cannot pretend to not understand its enormous inherent risks. I’m not sure if we are adequately aware of the implications of technological development whose pace is much faster than our capacity to manage its effects. We were used to progress that aimed to optimise human capacities, while today we are dealing with progress that risks replacing human capacities. Because if in the past this replacement focused on physical tasks so that humans could dedicate themselves to intellectual and organisational work, today the human intellect risks being replaced with consequences that could be devastating, particularly for the job market. More and more people will no longer be necessary in a world ever dominated by disparities, and by the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of the few. This is not the world we want. And so I think we should not mistake this dominion for a free zone without rules.

The president of the Government of Spain Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón emphasised the need to establish a foundation for regulating AI. Rumen Radev, President of Bulgaria, advocated for a human-centred and innovation-driven approach to our digital future and AI, anchored in principles of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Yoon Suk Yeol, president of South Korea, underscored the importance of providing clear guidance for the governance of AI. Monaco’s Prince Albert II highlighted the global duty to create a framework of ethical norms and global governance for AI, emphasising the urgency of completing ongoing efforts in this regard. Chile asserted the obligation for all to reach multilateral consensus and establish an ethical framework for the development and utilisation of emerging technologies like AI. Italy warned against treating AI as a lawless domain and calls for global governance mechanisms that ensure ethical boundaries are upheld, emphasising the practical application of ‘algorethics’, which focuses on ethics for algorithms.

Concrete actions were also outlined: the Korean government plans to host the ‘Global AI Forum’ and to collaborate closely with the ‘High-Level Advisory Body on AI’ being established by the UN to provide a network for communication and collaboration among global experts. Monaco expressed support for this body. Italy noted that it plans to put AI issues, including algorethics, on the G7 agenda in 2024. Spain expressed its commitment to supporting the Secretary-General’s Envoy on technology, providing resources and know-how in the development of multilateral AI governance. Spain also expressed willingness to host the headquarters of a potential international AI agency.

Development: developing countries must not be left behind

Several countries on day 2 emphasised the transformative power of digitalisation and advanced technologies. Namibian president Hage Geingob and South Korea highlighted the importance of bridging the digital divide. South Korea, in particular, plans to play a leading role in bridging the digital divide by supporting the digital transformation of countries with limited digital penetration, noting that the digital divide is a major cause of the economic divide.

Namibia advocated for not leaving developing countries behind in the digital revolution. Namibia also stressed that access to technology can bridge gaps in education, healthcare, and economic development, ultimately propelling nations towards progress. In that line, Eswatini’s King Mswati III highlighted Eswatini’s efforts to increase opportunities for learning and skills development through the integration and use of digital technologies. Romanian president Klaus Werner Iohannis emphasised the role of digitalisation, innovation, and new technologies as enablers of sustainable development. Latvian president Edgars Rinkēvičs underscored their commitment to international cooperation in advancing digitalisation and development efforts. Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, prioritised cutting-edge technology and infrastructure programmes as part of its national development trajectory. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of Botswana, emphasised the need to prioritise tangible priorities for infrastructure development, particularly in transit transportation, ICT, and energy sectors. Paul Kagame

President of the Republic of Rwanda emphasised the significance of inclusive digital public infrastructure, highlighting their recent initiative in collaboration with ITU and UNDP.

When it comes to UN initiatives, Namibia welcomed the recently unveiled plan known as UN 2.0. Underscoring that this ‘Quintet of Change‘ aims to provide the UN states with cutting-edge capabilities in data, digital innovation, and expertise. Meanwhile, Bulgaria stated the Global Digital Compact should harness the potential of digital technologies to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs. Spain drew attention to the adverse aspects of the digital revolution, shedding light on concerns regarding inequality, wealth concentration, and domination that can arise due to the rapid advancement of digital technologies.

Security: Cross-border cooperation needed to tackle cyber threats

The cross-border nature of cybercrime is acknowledged time after time at the UNGA General Debate, and this debate was no exception. Mongolia emphasised the transformative potential of digital technology but also underscored that it has reshaped threats to global peace and security. Mongolia, Spain and Najib Mikati,

The President of the Council of Ministers of the Lebanese Republic echoed the need for enhanced cooperation across borders to address a wide spectrum of global challenges, including cyberattacks. Mongolia also expressed support for the work of the UN to combat cybercrime, including the work of the Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime.

Several concrete examples were discussed, including cyberattacks faced by Moldova, which its president Maia Sandu, attributed to Russia. Additionally, Monaco highlighted the use of AI by malicious actors in launching cyberattacks, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare and humanitarian operations.

Content policy and human rights: Combatting disinformation and protecting human rights online

Chile and Slovakia recognised the transformative power of technology and social media. They share a common concern about the challenges posed by the spread of disinformation and hate speech. Failing to confront this issue might turn social media platforms, AI, and emerging technologies into factors that worsen the existing crises, stated Slovakia and called for their immediate regulation.

Chile views technological development as a tool for unity, emphasising the need to protect vulnerable groups from disinformation and prevent further divisions at both national and international levels. They believe in harnessing the power of technology to bring people together rather than drive them apart. On a similar note, Slovakia stressed the importance of using technology with the dignity and rights of every individual in mind.
To tackle these issues, South Korea unveiled plans to introduce a Digital Bill of Rights. At the same time, Romania welcomed the Secretary General’s initiative for a Code of Conduct for information integrity on digital platforms.

Economic: Digital for economic growth

Discussions around digital economy topics emerged for the first time during this General Debate. For instance, Moldova expressed determination to strengthen its economy despite the challenges posed by a war in Ukraine, including facilitating the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, reducing bureaucracy through digital services, and exploring export opportunities in the EU market.

Additionally, Eswatini noted that the recently introduced Africa Strategic Investment Alliance (ASIA) aims to support programmes by the African E-Trade Group (AETRADE), which is focused on creating a digital marketing platform for all African countries to promote trade using modern technologies.

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Digital on Day 1 of UNGA78

Digital on Day 1 of UNGA78: Governing AI

Welcome to our daily coverage of the General Debate of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA). This summary was generated by humans and provides a comprehensive overview of how digital issues were tackled during first day’s discussions, which took place on 19 September 023. For real-time updates and in-depth reports on UNGA78, follow our live coverage on the Digital Watch Observatory‘s dedicated page through DiploAI reports, written by our AI reporting tool.

New technologies: Governing AI

As the norm, the UN Secretary-General’s General Debate opening speech was rifled with references to digital technologies. The SG paid special attention to new technologies which require new and innovative forms of governance, such as AI and lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS).

Generative AI holds much promise – but it may also lead us across a Rubicon and into more danger than we can control. When I mentioned Artificial Intelligence in my General Assembly speech in 2017, only two other leaders even uttered the term. Now AI is on everyone’s lips – a subject of both awe, and fear. Even some of those who developed generative AI are calling for greater regulation. – Antonio Guterres

US President Biden also underlined that emerging technologies need to be ‘used as tools of opportunity, not as weapons of oppression’. He stressed that AI technologies need to be safe before they’re released to the public and that countries and international bodies must cooperate to harness the power of AI for good.

Argentinian president Alberto Fernández noted that robotisation and AI force us to rethink education, processes of production, and the preservation of work, highlighting that confronting these new changes is the biggest challenge.

Slovenian president Nataša Pirc Musar noted that governing new technologies, including AI, must not impede economic, developmental, social, and research opportunities.

Speaking about calls for a global entity on AI, Guterres recalled that inspiration could be drawn from existing international organisations like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He noted the UN’s readiness to host ‘the global and inclusive discussions that are needed’, based on member state decisions.

To advance concrete governance solutions, Guterres reiterated that he will appoint a High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, which will provide recommendations by the end of the year. Slovenia expressed support. Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio underlined the Hiroshima AI Process on Generative AI, toward trustworthy AI.

The SG reiterated his call for a Global Digital Compact — between governments, regional organisations, the private sector and civil society — to mitigate the risks of digital technologies and identify ways to harness their benefits for the good of humanity. Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz noted that it is fostering exchanges on the Global Digital Compact to ensure that access to AI is not limited to richer countries, causing a deeper digital divide.

Security

As the war in Ukraine wages on, its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the effects of spreading the war into cyberspace in his address. He also noted that AI could be trained to combat well before it would learn to help humanity. In a similar vein, Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz noted the need for common rules for the use of generative AI as a weapon.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s president Jair Messias Bolsonaro, directed attention toward the fight against cybercrime. Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani highlighted risks such as deepfakes, privacy violations, hacking, phishing, identity theft, educational disruption via plagiarism, and human deception tactics. Czechia’s Petr Pavel also drew attention to the tactics of malicious actors and raised alarms about the use of cyberspace, disinformation campaigns, economic manipulation, political interference, and various tools aimed at disrupting democratic processes, undermining institutions, and weakening security.

Fumio expressed Japan’s commitment to supporting digitalisation in developing countries while ensuring robust cybersecurity measures.

Human rights

The SG voiced concerns about online surveillance and data harvesting, which have given rise to widespread human rights abuses on a scale previously unseen.

Bolsonaro called for a return to humanist traditions, emphasising the importance of inclusive policies at cultural, educational, and digital levels to uphold democratic values and preserve press freedom.

Pirc Musar advocated for a human-centric and human-rights-based approach to the development and deployment of technology. She proposed that the Global Digital Compact be centred around this notion, emphasising the need for all stakeholders, including private companies, to genuinely commit to this vision.
Balancing digitalisation’s benefits with the protection of human dignity was highlighted by Fumio, stressing the importance of compatible international rules and a digital ecosystem that respects human rights.

Development

The digital divide is a pressing global issue that exacerbates existing inequalities. This divide, which separates those with access to technology from those without, was highlighted by the SG as a matter of utmost concern.Turkmenistan’s president Serdar Berdimuhamedow sees vast potential in genetics and AI, ‘that could achieve prosperity for the whole humanity’. However, the gap between the possibilities and reality is widening. Similarly, Uruguay acknowledged the potential of ICT and AI as tools for integration and development but called for more action, urging global leaders to turn their words into tangible efforts.

Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani emphasised the importance of keeping up with scientific and technical advancements and called upon nations to remove barriers hindering progress in this field. South Africa’s president Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa focused on harnessing digital and green technologies to enhance industrial production and agricultural yields, addressing developmental challenges while working towards the 2030 Agenda.

Nayib Armando Bukele, the president of El Salvador provided a concrete example of commitment to digital transformation – a recent agreement with Google serves as a clear example of their commitment to digital transformation, particularly in public services such as education and healthcare. Finally, Palau’s president Surangel S. Whipps Jr. underscored that success in the digital age is not determined by geographical size but by determination and adaptability.

Content policy

The SG cautioned about the grave consequences of hate speech, disinformation, and conspiracy theories proliferating on social media platforms, often amplified by AI. These issues are seen as significant threats to democracy and contributors to real-world violence and conflict. Similarly, Bolsonaro underlined the fight against misinformation, while Pirc Musar highlighted disinformation as one of the key challenges of our time. Pirc Musar underlined that big tech companies should take more responsibility for the content they host and moderate, therefore protecting users from harmful online content.

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DW Weekly #128 – 18 September 2023

Dear readers,

The sense of urgency surrounding AI regulations that marked the start of the month continues unabated. The European Commission is advocating for a global framework (including an IPCC for AI to govern it), while the USA is deliberating over who should take the lead in regulating AI. And we haven’t even started Q4, which will accelerate things even more. Let’s get started.

Stephanie and the Digital Watch team

// HIGHLIGHT //

European Commission calls for an IPCC for AI (the concept’s not new though)

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen’s State of the EU speech (read or watch) last week, wouldn’t have been complete without a deep-dive into how to govern AI.

The EU’s way ahead of the rest in developing AI regulations: The draft AI Act has reached the final stages of its legislative journey, although it will take years before the rules come into effect. And yet, the EU is not quite finished. It wants to do more – this time, on a global scale – by transposing the effectiveness of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to the AI realm.

The context: A global framework for AI

The EU is acutely aware that without similar rules in other major economies, the impact of its rules remains limited. It, therefore, wants others to align their policies and collaborate towards a collective goal. That goal is a new global framework on AI built on three pillars – guardrails, governance, and guiding innovation.

What it means in practice is that Von der Leyen wants to see the EU’s upcoming AI Act exported to other countries. She proudly asserts, ‘Our AI Act serves as a global blueprint’, hence positioning it as the ideal guardrail.

How to get there: An IPCC for AI

The goal of a global framework is to cultivate a shared understanding of the profound impact AI has on our societies. The way this would be achieved (von der Leyen’s second pillar) is through a body similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), whose reports establish scientific consensus on climate change.

Von der Leyen explains: ‘Think about the invaluable contribution of the IPCC for climate, a global panel that provides the latest science to policymakers. I believe we need a similar body for AI.’ Its aim would be to develop ‘a fast and globally coordinated response – building on the work done by the Hiroshima Process and others.’

In reality, the IPCC for AI is not a new proposal. The concept goes back to (at least) 2018, when French President Emmanuel Macron told the Internet Governance Forum (held in Paris that year) of his intention to create ‘an equivalent of the renowned IPCC for artificial intelligence’.

At the time, Macron’s vision was ahead of its time. ‘I believe this “IPCC” should have a large scope. It should naturally work with civil society, top scientists, all the innovators here today […] there can be no artificial intelligence and no genuine “artificial intelligence IPCC” if reflection with an ethical dimension is not conducted.’

One could say that the idea of creating an exact replica of the original IPCC, refined for application to AI, was sidelined with the establishment of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), an international forum for collaborating on AI policies. Nevertheless, the current surge in interest and concerns surrounding generative AI has generated enough momentum to revive the original concept.

Who to rope in: The industry

Von der Leyen’s third pillar, ‘guiding innovation in a responsible way’, is the European Commission’s way of saying that until rules come into effect, the industry needs to agree on voluntary commitments.

Arguably, the EU is doing a good job at this through the AI Pact, a voluntary set of rules that will act as a precursor to the AI Act. European Commission Thierry Breton has advocated heavily among Big Tech companies to adopt these guidelines.

But more needs to be done locally: The EU needs to foster a homegrown AI industry, which is still lagging behind. In its latest initiative, the EU will launch an AI Start-Up Initiative, which, according to Breton, will give start-ups access to public high-performance computing infrastructure (and ‘help them lead the development and scale-up of AI responsibly and in line with European values’.)

Reality check

The EU has several feathers in its cap (see our recent article on the Brussels effect), but its global ambitions might be a tad premature in AI. First, the AI Act is not yet law. Second, the EU knows that many other countries do not share the same willingness for binding rules (see Japan’s update below).

At most, the EU can aim to export its values of human centricity and transparency to other countries, and advocate for them to become minimum global standards for the safe and ethical use of AI. It’s worth the effort.

Digital policy roundup (11–18 September)

// AI GOVERNANCE //

US Senate judiciary hearings and closed-door meetings: AI debates continue

We’ve heard it all before: AI can be leveraged for good. But AI risks must be curbed. Governments must step in.

US Senate hearing: All this (and more) was discussed during the US Senate Judiciary Subcommittee’s latest meeting, led by Chairman Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Ranking Member Josh Hawley (R-MO), which was attended by Boston University Law Professor Woodrow Hartzog, NVIDIA Chief Scientist William Dally, and Microsoft President Brad Smith. The hearing emphasised the need to curb the misuse of AI-generated deceptive practices in content used during electoral campaigns, and AI’s misuse for other criminal purposes such as scams.

AI Insight Forum: Lawmakers and tech industry leaders also gathered at Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s inaugural AI Insight Forum last week. The meeting was held behind closed doors, so we’ve had to rely on reports by journalists gathered outside the building. The main topic was how to address the pressing requirement for AI regulation given that, according to X’s (formerly Twitter) Elon Musk, ‘AI development is potentially harmful to all humans everywhere’. Musk also floated the idea of a federal department on AI. The unanimous agreement among the tech leaders was that the government needs to intervene.

Why is it relevant? Despite the USA’s traditional laissez-faire approach, the outcomes from these discussions suggest a bipartisan willingness to legislate. But disagreements over how to do this run (too?) deep. At least, there is convergence around the need for a new regulator – either through the creation of a new agency or by mandating an existing government entity such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The general election is looming around the corner, so if there are any developments to be initiated, now’s the time.

Japan publishes draft AI transparency guidelines

Japan, the current chair of the G7, has unveiled new draft guidelines on AI transparency. The voluntary guidelines, which Tokyo will finalise by the end of the year, will urge AI platform developers to disclose vital information about the purpose of their algorithms and what they see to be the potential risks. Additionally, companies involved in AI training will be asked to disclose the data they’re utilising to train their models.

These guidelines were outlined during a government AI strategy meeting, where it was also revealed that the government intends to earmark 164 billion yen (USD1.11 billion) for AI next year. That’s an increase of over 40% compared to this year’s allocation.

Why is it relevant? Although Japan’s AI spending shows how serious the country is in a homegrown AI industry, it re-confirms the country’s preference for non-binding rules and, therefore, indicates that there is still a split in how G7 countries choose to approach AI governance. As the current G7 chair, Japan’s preference for a softer approach puts a damper on the EU efforts to establish its upcoming AI Act as a global benchmark. But it’s not all bad: At least the Japan-led G7 AI Hiroshima Process will try to find common denominators among these widely differing approaches (see more below on what to expect in the coming weeks).

// ANTITRUST //

Legal battle against Google’s search monopoly abuse kicks off

The trial of the US Justice Department’s (DOJ) major antitrust case against Google kicked off last week, signalling the start of a months-long legal battle that could potentially reshape the entire tech industry. The DOJ had filed the civil antitrust suit against Google in late 2020 after examining the company’s business for more than a year.

The lawsuit concerns Google’s search business, which the DOJ and state attorneys-general consider ‘anticompetitive and exclusionary’ sustaining its monopoly on the digital advertising market. The case revolves around Google’s agreements with smartphone manufacturers and other firms, which allegedly strengthen its search monopoly.

Google has argued that users have plenty of choices and opt for Google due to its superior product.

Why is it relevant? It’s the first major tech antitrust trial since Microsoft’s 1998 case. If Google is found to have breached antitrust law, the judge could simply order Google to refrain from these practices or, more seriously for Google, order the company to sell assets. If the DOJ loses, it would undermine years of effort by the agency to challenge Big Tech’s power.

Case details: USA v Google LLC, District Court, District of Columbia, 1:20-cv-03010

// PRIVACY //

TikTok fined millions for breaching GDPR on children’s data

TikTok has been fined EUR345 million (USD370 million) for breaching privacy laws on the processing of children’s personal data in the EU, the Irish Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) confirmed. The DPC gave TikTok three months to bring all of its processing into compliance where infringements were found.

TikTok was found to have allowed specific profile settings to pose severe risks to underaged users. For instance, some settings were set to public by default (anyone could view the child’s content), while another setting allowed any public user to pair their account to a child’s user account and, therefore, to direct message them.

Why is it relevant? First, the DPC’s final decision is another blow to TikTok’s woes in Europe (there’s another ongoing case in the EU). Second, it’s among the largest fines imposed on a tech company under the GDPR.

// COPYRIGHT //

Two new lawsuits allege copyright infringement in AI-model training

A group of writers have initiated legal action against Meta and separately against OpenAI, alleging that the tech giants inappropriately used their literary creations to train their AI models.

In Meta’s case, the writers say their copyrighted books appear in the dataset that Meta has admitted to using to train LLaMA, the company’s large language model. In OpenAI’s case, ChatGPT generates in-depth analyses of the themes in the plaintiffs’ copyrighted works, which the authors say is possible only if the underlying GPT model was trained using their works.

Why is it relevant? First, the lawsuits add to the growing number of cases against AI companies over copyright infringement, broadening the legal minefield surrounding AI training. Second, it adds pressure on regulators to bring intellectual property rules up to speed with developments in generative AI. The USA is already mulling new rules, pending a public call for comment.

Case details: Chabon et al v OpenAI et al, California Northern District Court, 3:2023cv04625; Chabon et al v Meta Platforms, California Northern District Court, 3:23-cv-04663

The week ahead (18–25 September)

11 September–13 October: The digital policy issues to be tackled during the 54th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) include cyberbullying and digital literacy.

18 September: The Commonwealth Artificial Intelligence Consortium (CAIC) is meeting in New York to endorse a new AI action plan for sustainable development.

18–19 September: The SDG Summit in New York will mark ‘the beginning of a new phase of accelerated progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals’. It’s very much needed, considering that, with only seven years left to go, none of the 17 SDGs have been fully met.

19–26 September: The high-level debate of the UN General Assembly’s 78th session kicks off this week. The theme may well be about accelerating progress on sustainable development goals, but we can expect several countries to explain how they view AI developments and AI regulation. As usual, our team will analyse each and every country statement and tell us what’s weighing the most on governments’ minds. Subscribe for just-in-time updates.

20–21 September: The 8th session of the WIPO Conversation, a multistakeholder forum which attracts thousands of stakeholders, will be about generative AI and intellectual property.

21 September: The President of the UN General Assembly will convene a prep ministerial meeting in New York ahead of the 2024 Summit of the Future.

24 September: The EU’s Data Governance Act becomes enforceable.

PLUS: What’s ahead on the AI front

8–12 October: AI discussions will likely be a primary focus during this year’s Internet Governance Forum (IGF2023) in Japan. Expect the host country, currently at the G7’s helm, to share updates on the development of guiding principles and code of conduct for organisations developing advanced AI systems.

1–2 November: The UK’s AI Safety Summit, scheduled to take place in Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes, is expected to build consensus on international measures to tackle AI risks, which is arguably quite a challenge. But the UK’s toughest challenge is actually back home, as it faces pressure to introduce new AI rules.

November–December. The G7 digital and tech ministers are also expected to meet to sign off on draft rules before presenting them to the G7 leaders (as per outcomes of the recent G7 Hiroshima AI Process ministerial meeting).

12–14 December: The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) will hold its annual summit in India (which holds the current presidency).

Stephanie Borg Psaila – Author

Director of Digital Policy, DiploFoundation

Virginia Paque – Editor

Senior editor – Digital Policy, DiploFoundation

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