Session
Center of Science, Technology and Education Policy, Tsinghua University
Zhang Fang, Center of Science, Technology and Education Policy, Tsinghua University, CHINA [onsite]
Wei Yuming, Institute of Intelligent Society Governance, Tsinghua University, CHINA [onsite, moderator]
Xie Qijun, Center of Science, Technology and Education Policy, Tsinghua University, CHINA [online, moderator]
Shi Guangyu, Institute of Intelligent Society Governance, Tsinghua University, CHINA [online]
Ren Tianpei, School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, CHINA [onsite, rapporteur]
Su Jun, Institute of Intelligent Society Governance, Tsinghua University, CHINA [online]
Huang Cui, Department of Information Resources Management, Zhejiang University, CHINA [online]
Bao Hujun, Zhejiang Lab, CHINA [onsite]
Kelly Sims Gallagher, The Fletcher School, Tufts University, US [onsite]
Ora-orn Poocharoen, School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University, THAILAND [onsite]
Wei Yuming, Institute of Intelligent Society Governance, Tsinghua University, CHINA [onsite]
Xie Qijun, Center of Science, Technology and Education Policy, Tsinghua University, CHINA [online]
Ren Tianpei, School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, CHINA [onsite]
1. No Poverty
3. Good Health and Well-Being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Targets: The advent of intelligent technologies has the potential to significantly contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enhancing the governance of societies. Intelligent society governance refers to the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and Internet of Things, into decision-making processes and public administration systems. Here, we will elaborate on how intelligent society governance can contribute to the SDG objectives.
SDG 1/3/4/8/9/11/16: Intelligent society governance enhances data-driven decision making by leveraging advanced data analytics to extract valuable insights from vast amounts of data. By analyzing social, economic, and environmental data, decision-makers can gain a comprehensive understanding of complex issues and develop evidence-based policies. This data-driven approach improves the efficiency and effectiveness of decision-making, leading to better-informed strategies for achieving SDG targets.
SDG 1/3/4/5/10: Intelligent systems can optimize resource allocation and utilization, which is crucial for sustainable development. By utilizing predictive algorithms and machine learning techniques, governments can identify areas of need, allocate resources accordingly, and prioritize interventions where they are most needed. This targeted resource allocation ensures that limited resources are utilized efficiently, maximizing the impact of initiatives aimed at SDG goals, such as poverty reduction, healthcare provision, and education access.
SDG 8/9/11/16: Intelligent society governance can facilitate greater citizen participation and engagement in decision-making processes. Through digital platforms and online tools, governments can gather public input, solicit feedback, and enable citizens to actively contribute to policy formulation and implementation. This participatory approach fosters inclusivity, transparency, and accountability in governance, aligning with the SDG principle of leaving no one behind.
SDG 1/3/16: Intelligent technologies can enable the development of early warning systems for various challenges, including natural disasters, climate change impacts, and public health crises. By integrating real-time data, sensor networks, and predictive analytics, governments can proactively identify and respond to potential risks. This proactive approach enhances resilience, minimizes the negative impacts of emergencies, and contributes to SDG targets related to climate action, disaster risk reduction, and public health. Meanwhile, to cope with the concerns of energy consumption raised by intelligent technologies, twinning of green and digital transition can be achieved by Intelligent Society Governance, namely precise prediction and prescription of environmental impacts and the application of intelligent technologies in a more efficient and environmentally friendly way. In conclusion, intelligent society governance offers significant potential for advancing the SDGs. By leveraging data-driven decision-making, optimizing resource allocation, promoting citizen engagement, and enabling early warning systems, intelligent technologies contribute to more effective and efficient governance, ultimately driving progress towards the SDG objectives.
Roundtable
hybrid meeting
In the rapidly evolving landscape of an intelligent society, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies, there is a critical need for innovative governance models to address the profound societal impacts these technologies bring. The initiative of Intelligent Society Governance seeks to explore a governance paradigm that is human-centered and adaptable to the rapid changes of the intelligence era. Nations around the world are responding to these challenges and opportunities by implementing pilot demonstrations and policy experiments in areas like AI.
The 2024 Annual White Paper on Intelligent Society Governance, authored by the Institute of Intelligent Society Governance at Tsinghua University, aims to deliver insights into the latest global research and practices in the field. This document is structured to provide a systematic review and empirical analysis of the current revolutionary shifts in governance models prompted by intelligent technologies. Key topics covered in the white paper include:
1. Information Cocooning: Examining how technology exacerbates information isolation and societal fragmentation.
2. Social Polarization: Analyzing the impacts of intelligent technologies on social stratification and polarization.
3. Platform Governance: Assessing the roles and impacts of large tech platforms in public governance.
4. AI for Science: Demonstrating how AI is advancing scientific research and development.
5. Twining Digital and Green Transitions: Discussing the relationship between technological advancement and environmental sustainability.
6. Cyberspace Governance: Outlining strategies for maintaining order and security in digital spaces.
7. Labor Digitalization and Societal Changes: Analyzing how digitalization is fundamentally transforming labor markets and work structures.
Additionally, the white paper introduces an innovative assessment index system designed to systematically evaluate the social impacts of intelligent technologies, particularly generative AI, across various sectors of society.
The launch event for the white paper will invite governments, research institutions, enterprises, and social organizations to discuss their contributions to Intelligent Society Governance and promote knowledge sharing. This event aims to foster a global consensus and collaborative efforts to enhance the digital contributions to innovation, development, and sustainability. It serves not only as a platform for the exchange of governance knowledge but also as a commitment to developing a more humanistic intelligent society globally.
(1) In order to facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees, we plan to take actions in the following aspects:
• Designing sessions to enhance the communications:
- Design sessions including speech and presentations, round-table talk and interviews, votes and surveys, in order to enhance communications between onsite and online speakers and attendees. In particular, the interviews will invite guest speakers participated in the publication of White Paper on Intelligent Society Governance and respond to questions from attendees.
- Organize votes and surveys online and onsite, by which all attendees in public are able to participate in assessment of the indices developed in the white paper, and share their comments and ideas on the topic of Intelligent Society Governance. We’ll keep collecting and updating the feedback, analyze the major ideas and demonstrate on the launch event. The attendees are expected to participate in the launch event in a meaningful way.
- Set aside time at the end of the session for an open Q&A where online participants can engage directly via audio or video. Onsite attendees can also ask follow up questions to online participants.
- Encourage online attendees to submit questions via chat ahead of time that can be posed to onsite speakers during the Q&A session. We will release the background guide two weeks before the forum.
• Improvement in accessibility to interaction:
- Choose an interactive online platform that allows speakers and attendees to easily share video, audio, slides, and chat. Options like Zoom, Google Meet and Tencent meeting would work well. Speakers and attendees can interact via the platform.
- Monitor the online chat during presentations and share relevant questions or comments with onsite speakers and attendees to enable real-time feedback and discussion.
- Provide multiple media channels mainly at attendees’ convenience.
• Creating platform for discussions and feedback:
We will create a public platform for interaction on our official website and social media platforms. The introduction and related information of the White Paper on Intelligent Society Governance will be provided, including the background, content, accessible data source, key messages and etc. All attendees are welcomed to participate in assessment of the indices developed in the white paper, and share their comments and ideas.
(2) To ensure the best experience for all participants, we will:
• Frame the overall structure and flow of the session to seamlessly integrate both onsite and online elements. Onsite presentations should be streamed for online viewers and time should be reserved for online Q&A and discussion.
• Provide clear guidance on participation and technology usage to all attendees ahead of time. Troubleshoot any technical issues behind the scenes to avoid disruption.
• Include interactive online elements like live polling, Q&A, breakout discussions to complement onsite activities. This keeps all attendees engaged.
Here’re sessions design specifically for best possible experience for both online and onsite participants:
- Presentations: Speakers will share insights on Intelligent Society Governance for both online and onsite participants. Time for Q&A and discussion is also reserved.
- Round-table talk: Speakers will share ideas and discuss on the White Paper for both online and onsite participants. Time for Q&A is also reserved.
- Interviews: Interviews will be conducted with the moderator, guest speakers invited, and participants both online and onsite that are willing to raise their questions.
- Votes and surveys: Votes and surveys will be launched in advance and keep updated, mainly on interests, opinions, and experience shared by participants. All participants can share their comments and ideas via votes and surveys. We will carefully analyze the feedback and demonstrate insights from participants on the event.
- Interaction on social platforms: We will provide website links in advance for introduction to the launch event and the report on our official website and social platforms; and keep updated during the event. We will encourage participants to share and know more about IGF, the launch event and the White Paper, as well as participate in the assessment of the indices on Intelligent Society Governance.
(3) Complementary online tools/platforms to increase participation and interaction:
• An online video conferencing tool (Zoom/Tencent Meeting/ online Live channel of the organizer and other press) to connect onsite and online attendees
• Audience response tools like Mentimeter, Poll Everywhere, or Slido to gauge attendee opinions in real-time
• Online collaboration platforms such as Google Docs or Padlet where attendees can share comments and ask questions
• Social media like Twitter and Weibo for attendees to continue the conversation online using an event hashtag
• Post-event online surveys to collect feedback and insights from all attendees to improve future events
In summary, facilitating seamless interaction between onsite and online participants requires choosing an effective technology platform, careful planning and management before and during the event, providing strong guidance to participants, and incorporating complementary online tools to increase engagement. Striking a good balance between the onsite and online experience will lead to a successful hybrid event.