Global Digital Compact: advancing digital innovation in a sustainable fashion

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 11)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

● The Global Digital Compact (GDC), adopted at the UN’s ‘Summit of the Future,’ aims to harness and regulate digital technologies for global benefit. ● While it offers a framework for cooperation, significant challenges and limitations in implementation remain.

 Overview of the Global Digital Compact (GDC)

• The Global Digital Compact (GDC) was recently adopted at the ‘Summit of the Future’ organised by the United Nations.
• This groundbreaking instrument aims to harness and regulate digital technologies for the common good, marking a significant step in international digital governance.

Nature of the GDC

• The GDC is a non-binding diplomatic instrument that outlines shared goals for governments, institutions, firms, and stakeholders.
• While it is not legally binding, increased adherence could lead to its terms evolving into soft laws within individual countries.

Background and Objectives

• Building on previous UN initiatives, the GDC recognizes the transformative impact of digital technologies on society.
• While these technologies can facilitate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they also present significant challenges.

Goals and Structure

• The GDC focuses on ensuring human oversight of technologies to promote sustainable development.
• It aims for global cooperation in data governance and digital technologies, with member countries committing to establish two panels: an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and a Global Dialogue on AI Governance.

Proposed Digital Public Goods

• To bridge the digital divide, the GDC advocates for digital public goods such as open-source software and open AI models.
• These goods are seen as crucial for creating a digital public infrastructure that can deliver essential services effectively.

Challenges and Criticisms

• The GDC faces several lacunae:
  • Openness in public-private partnerships may be restricted by contractual requirements, limiting transparency.
  • The Compact lacks new frameworks for internet governance and relies on self-regulation from digital technology companies, which has historically proven ineffective.
  • It acknowledges the importance of interoperable data governance but fails to adequately address the risks associated with increased data collection and sharing.
  • The GDC grants more power to corporate entities in data governance without emphasising necessary countervailing measures to prevent monopolistic control.

Conclusion

• Ultimately, the GDC may not radically transform global digital governance.
• However, it holds the potential for significant outcomes if member states engage seriously with its goals.
• It could foster capacity building and collaborations between nations in developing digital public goods, thus facilitating a more equitable digital landscape.

Practice Question:  Discuss the significance of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) in the context of international digital governance. What challenges does it face in implementation, and how can member states address these challenges to promote effective digital governance? (250 Words /15 marks)