Diplo will be actively engaged in the 2023 Internet Governance Forum (IGF 2023), which will take place between 8 and 12 October 2023 in Kyoto, Japan, and online.
Diplo and the Geneva Internet Platform
Just-in-time reporting
As in previous years, the GIP Digital Watch observatory will provide just-in-time reporting from the IGF. Bookmark the Digital Watch space or download the Dig.Watch News+ app to stay up-to-date with our IGF session reports and newsletters. Make sure to also follow the GIP’s Twitter account.
Diplo and GIP sessions
Day 0 Event #194: Bottom-up AI and the right to be humanly imperfect (organised by Diplo)
Sunday, 8 October | 11:15 – 12:45 local time (02:15 – 03:45 UTC) | Room J
The session will provoke participants to explore the interplay between AI, society, and humanity from the following angle: 1. Why is bottom-up AI critical for human freedom and prosperity? 2. In this era of fast technological progress, can we preserve the right to be humanly imperfect? Whenever we interact with AI platforms, we share glimpses of our thoughts and emotions. A new AI economy is emerging around collecting, codifying, and monetising our patterns of thinking and feeling. This also leads to new business models and monopolies. But we, humans, have ‘owned’ our thinking patterns since time immemorial, so we should also own those generated through AI. One way to ensure this is through the development of bottom-up AI, which is both technically possible and ethically desirable. Otherwise, we risk a sort of ‘knowledge slavery’ where citizens’ access to knowledge (including their own) is entirely controlled by corporate and/or government AI monopolies. Bottom-up AI is a way to return AI and technology to citizens and communities and reduce major societal risks. And there’s more to it: The fast development of AI has made us think that we need to compete with machines. But optimisation and perfection are goals better suited for machines, while our imperfections are part of what makes us human. As we cannot win against sci-tech optimisation, we should reclaim our right to be humanly imperfect. And ensure that human beings remain the point of reference for the development and use of AI. Event link on the IGF website. Report link on Dig.Watch.
Participating: Jovan Kurbalija, Sorina Teleanu
Side session: IGF’s knowledge unlocked: AI-driven insights for our digital future (organised by IGF Secretariat, with Diplo support)
Tuesday, 10 October | 12:30 – 13:15 local time ( 03:30 – 04:15 UTC) | Room K
Since its launch in 2006, the IGF has been at the forefront of multistakeholder discussions on the most pressing issues surrounding the internet and digital technologies. Over the years, the forum has accumulated a wealth of knowledge covering critical topics such as internet infrastructure, cybersecurity, and data governance. The session will explore key themes that are essential for unlocking the vast potential of this IGF knowledge. First, we will dive into the pivotal role of epistemic communities – groups of experts and stakeholders with specialised knowledge – in shaping and enriching the IGF’s knowledge base. We will look at how these communities foster collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity to unpack the complex challenges of our digital world. Second, as the knowledge built around the IGF continues to expand, we will discuss the importance of structuring and organising this wealth of information. And third, we will explore the challenges and opportunities of using AI to manage the vast IGF knowledge ecology and transform it into an accessible and easy to use public good. Event link on the IGF website. Report link on Dig.Watch.
Participating: Jovan Kurbalija, Sorina Teleanu
Diplo and the European Commission
Open Forum #96: How to enhance participation and cooperation of CSOs in/with multistakeholder IG forums (co-organised by the European Commission and Diplo)
Tuesday, 10 October | 14:45 – 16:15 local time (05:45 – 07:15 UTC) | Room K
The session will focus on the capacities of civil society organisations (CSOs) – digital advocacy groups, grassroots, think tanks, digital associations and NGOs – dealing with open internet and digital rights. It will explore how CSOs could increase their capabilities and capacities to become more influential in the global arena, for instance, at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and other organisations working formats (groups, open cooperation platforms, events, etc.). Participants will asked to reflect on possible ways to enhance in-depth long-term participation and efficient cooperation of CSOs in multilateral- and multistakeholder- fora with regards to digital for development, Internet governance, digital rights and principles, standards-setting and inclusion. Event link on the IGF website. Report link on Dig.Watch.
Participating: Pavlina Ittelson
Diplo and the Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behaviour in Cyberspace
Side session: ICT vulnerabilities: Who is responsible for minimising risks? (co-organised by Diplo and partners in the Geneva Dialogue)
Thursday, 12 October | 09:45 – 10:45 local time (00:45 – 01:45 UTC) | Room B-2
The Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behaviour in Cyberspace (GD) is an international process established in 2018 to map the roles and responsibilities of actors – private sector, civil society, academia, and the technical community – in implementing specific international norms and principles, starting from the cyber-norms agreed by the UN GGE and OEWG and thus in contributing to greater security and stability in cyberspace. As a process led by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and implemented by DiploFoundation, in partnership with the Center for Digital Trust (C4DT) and UBS, the Geneva Dialogue aims to develop the Geneva Manual, a comprehensive guidance for relevant stakeholders on cyber norms implementation. The session will discuss open issues identified through several months of expert consultations to map existing challenges with reducing vulnerabilities in digital products and possible steps for implementing voluntary cyber norms, as well as possible roles and responsibilities in this regard to enhance cyber-stability. Findings from the session will directly feed into the drafting process of the Geneva Manual. Event link on the IGF website. Report link on Dig.Watch.
Participating: Anastasiya Kazakova | Vladimir Radunović
Diplo/GIP booth in the IGF village
If you are attending the IGF in Kyoto, make sure to drop by our Diplo and GIP booth.
If you’re joining the meeting online, check out our space in the virtual village.
