Session
Blockchain, Digital Assets & Web 3-based Ecosystems
Chat GPT, Generative AI, and Machine Learning
Metaverse
Virtual/Augmented Reality
Round Table - 90 Min
The Townhall will be organized in the context of the joint initiative of the McCourt Institute and the Aspen Institute to develop a set of proposed Ethical Principles for Responsible Technology. Based on multistakeholder consultations in Latin America, North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, the effort seeks to identify operational ethical principles for how to build, invest in, deploy, and regulate new technologies. This directly relates to the IGF Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies Themes, including web3, AI, as well as the Metaverse and Virtual Reality. The Townhall at the IGF will allow engaging IGF participants in this process to present preliminary results. Lead discussants will present various international efforts and approaches to develop ethical principles for new technologies. The session will be interactive and ask participating stakeholders for their valuable insights and knowledge to identify operational ethical principles for responsible technology. Stakeholders who participated in regional consultations will also be invited to join physically or remotely. This Townhall also naturally contributes to other IGF Themes, including Cybersecurity, Cybercrime & Online Safety (New Technologies and Risks to Online Safety), Data Governance & Trust, Global Digital Governance (Digital Commons, Digital Ethics, Governing Digital Economy, Multistakeholderism, Regulatory Sandboxes for Technological Innovations) & Cooperation, Human Rights & Freedoms, and Sustainability & Environment.
The organizers plan to survey remote and onsite participants on Ethical Principles for Responsible Technology to ensure that all views are taken into account. Therefore, the session will particularly encourage remote participants to actively participate, and contribute to the survey and to the discussions. We plan to use the Menti tool to facilitate knowledge sharing and contributions that will bridge both onsite and remote participants. We moreover ensure that the floor is given equally to remote and onsite participants.
McCourt Institute
Constance Bommelaer de Leusse, Executive Director, McCourt Institute, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group Paul Fehlinger, Director of Policy, Governance Innovation & Impact, McCourt Institute, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group Sarah Nicole, Research and Policy Associate, McCourt Institute, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group Christian Tom, Head of Americas, McCourt Institute, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group
Elizabeth Thomas-Raynaud, Global Forum on Technology Lead, OECD, IGO, Other Constance Bommelaer de Leusse, Executive Director, McCourt Institute, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group Hiroki Habuka, Research Professor, Kyoto University, Academia, Asia and the Pacific Group Vivian Schiller, Executive Director of Aspen Digital, Aspen Institute, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group Paul Twomey, Co-Director Global Initiative for Digital Empowerment, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group
Paul Fehlinger, Director of Policy, Governance Innovation & Impact, McCourt Institute, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group
Sarah Nicole, Research and Policy Associate, McCourt Institute, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group
Sarah Nicole, Research and Policy Associate, McCourt Institute, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group
1. No Poverty
3. Good Health and Well-Being
4. Quality Education
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
13. Climate Action
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Targets: The proposed session on developing ethical principles for responsible technology aligns with multiple SDGs. It supports inclusive economic growth, reduces poverty (SDG 1), promotes good health and well-being, and equitable access to quality education (SDG 3 and SDG 4). It fosters innovation, resilient infrastructure, and inclusive and sustainable industrialization (SDG 9), reduces inequalities (SDG 10), promotes sustainable urbanization and climate action (SDG 11 and SDG 13), and contributes to building just, peaceful, and inclusive societies (SDG 16). Finally, the interactive session embodies the spirit of SDG 17 by promoting collaborative efforts to address global challenges through multistakeholder consultations across different regions. Overall, this session on ethical principles for responsible technology is crucial for achieving multiple SDGs and supports inclusive and sustainable development while respecting human rights and promoting societal benefits.
Report
It is important to look at how we develop, invest in, deploy and regulate technology across the innovation cycle. We need collective thinking and alignment on a set of common issues that need to be addressed. h It is crucial to embrace a borderless, global perspective while respecting cultural differences. Moreover, prioritizing principles such as security and privacy through an 'ethical by design' approach upstream in the development process or
The emphasis on human-centric, rights-oriented frameworks has underscored the need for solutions that are not only ethically sound but also practical and implementable. The principles are on the table; the next step is their effective implementation. This requires a comprehensive risk management framework for AI and the establishment of agile, multistakeholder governance mechanisms.
The accelerating pace of technological advancements necessitates a paradigm shift in governance models and a mindset towards responsible innovation that accepts that all stakeholders: developers, investors, startups, incumbents, users and policymakers, operate with high levels of uncertainty with regard to new technologies Instead of defaulting to regulation as the sole solution, it's imperative to explore more agile, flexible, and distributed go
The concept of treating users as consumers, thereby granting them agency in the marketing data market, is a powerful avenue for empowerment. Establishing multistakeholder platforms for trends detection, information sharing, agenda setting and sense-making. By convening diverse groups across policymakers, technologists, investors, businesses, civil society a and academia, we can elevate ideas, drive actions, and address complex issues surrounding
In addition to these takeaways and action points, the Collingridge dilemma reminds us that innovation inherently carries unforeseen consequences. It is vital to consider the potential impacts of new technologies and implement prospective rule-based and intermediate rules (soft law) developed by stakeholders beyond governments. Balancing the need for innovation with the imperative to protect citizens remains central.
Furthermore, the operationalization of ethical principles, as exemplified by the Project Liberty and Aspen Digital initiative, is pivotal. This initiative involves embedding ethics into infrastructures, fostering multistakeholder collaboration across 5 continents, and ensuring broad participation of over 200 stakeholders. This concerted effort aims to translate principles into processes and recommendations, with a draft document set for release in December.
Ultimately, the evolving landscape of emerging technologies such as immersive technologies and the metaverse need not necessitate reinventing policies. Instead, it calls for a concerted effort to translate existing principles into actionable measures. This transformative journey requires not only regulatory intervention but also a fundamental shift in corporate governance models and stakeholder mindsets. The OECD Global Forum on Technology endeavors to achieve this by convening diverse stakeholder groups, fostering the identification, analysis, and exploration of crucial gaps in emerging technologies. Similarly, Aspen Digital undertakes an analogous initiative, uniting cross-sectoral groups to facilitate the exchange of information and collective understanding. Noteworthy examples include their commissions on information disorder, as well as AI's impact on labor markets, elections, and trust. The Global Initiative for Digital Empowerment shares a similar mission with the OECD Global Forum on Technology and Aspen Digital, aiming to convene diverse stakeholder groups to empower users and their data.
In conclusion, the path towards ethical governance of emerging technologies demands a multifaceted approach, involving collective alignment on values, agile governance, user empowerment, and robust multistakeholder collaboration. By implementing these recommendations, we can navigate the challenges of innovation while upholding ethical standards in the digital age.