GLOBAL DIGITAL COMPACT (GDC)
1. Context
In the recently concluded ‘Summit of the Future’ organised by the United Nations, member countries adopted the ‘Global Digital Compact’ (GDC). This ambitious instrument is perhaps the first of its kind in the international arena focusing on the potential of digital technologies, with the specific intention to harness and regulate them for the common good.
2.What is Global Digital Compact’ (GDC)?
- The Global Digital Compact (GDC) is a diplomatic framework that outlines shared objectives for governments, organizations, businesses, and various stakeholders. While it does not have the force of law, increased compliance could lead to these principles evolving into soft law within individual countries.
- Previously, the United Nations facilitated the establishment of two other significant compacts: the "Global Compact," which encourages CEOs to commit to universal sustainability principles and support UN objectives, and the "Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration," which addresses all aspects of international migration in a comprehensive manner.
- The GDC is founded on the premise that digital technologies are significantly transforming our world. While these technologies can offer substantial benefits—facilitating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—they also introduce serious challenges and concerns.
- This compact aims to ensure human oversight of technological advancements in ways that promote sustainable development. It builds on established norms of international law, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the UN 2030 Agenda, advocating for global collaboration in the governance of data and digital technologies.
- To achieve the goals outlined in the GDC, member states of the UN have pledged to create two panels: an "Independent International Scientific Panel on AI" and a "Global Dialogue on AI Governance."
- The objectives include bridging the digital divide, ensuring inclusive participation in the digital economy, enhancing access to data, and promoting responsible and equitable data governance.
- The principles of the GDC emphasize inclusivity, accessibility to digital technologies, sustainability, and the development of trustworthy technologies operating within a competitive market environment
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Digital goods and services
To tackle the digital divide, the GDC suggests the creation of “digital public goods,” which encompass open-source software, open data, and open AI models, all while ensuring adherence to privacy standards and best practices.
This approach recognizes the potential of digital public goods to foster social change as part of a "digital public infrastructure" that provides essential services. Such infrastructure requires the design and implementation of shared digital systems tailored to the specific priorities and needs of various stakeholders. Consequently, the GDC envisions collaborative partnerships, including those with private sector entities, to achieve these goals
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3. GDC and United Nations (UN)
- The GDC often makes optimistic assertions that overlook the complexities of the issues at hand, presuming that the goodwill among nations will suffice to meet its goals. This viewpoint might also indicate the UN's desire to maintain a significant role in the governance of technologies, including artificial intelligence.
- For instance, data is often likened to oil in the 21st century, reflecting its immense value, particularly given its integration into extractive industries that have detrimental environmental impacts.
- The rapid advancement of generative AI models highlights the vast amounts and types of data collected for training purposes. While the GDC acknowledges the challenges in AI governance, it offers limited practical solutions or strategies.
- Moreover, while the GDC advocates for "trustworthy data flow," many countries resist this notion, as it conflicts with their principles of digital sovereignty. Some nations even have laws mandating that their citizens' data remain within national borders.
- Additionally, the GDC connects various objectives and proposed actions to relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is a positive development, suggesting that digitization is essential for achieving these goals.
- However, it's important to note that the current AI revolution was not underway when the SDGs were adopted in 2015, and given the lackluster progress of countries in achieving the SDGs, it is questionable whether an additional initiative like the GDC can effect meaningful change.
- UN member states are working to navigate the regulation of major tech companies while asserting their digital sovereignty. Therefore, the governance of digital technologies is too intricate to be resolved by a single entity like the GDC.
- Multilateral and regional discussions are necessary to address jurisdictional and local needs. By aligning with existing digital governance frameworks and merging SDGs with digital initiatives, the GDC appears to be more of a brainstorming tool than a roadmap provider.
- Nonetheless, it has the potential to assist in capacity building and foster collaborations between developing nations and those in the Global North for the advancement of digital public goods
4. Way Forward
In conclusion, while the GDC may not lead to a fundamental transformation in how digital technologies are governed globally, it has the potential to yield meaningful and concrete results if member states commit to its principles and objectives
Source: The Hindu
