Brazil assumed the G20 presidency for one year on December 1, 2023. Brazil is building on the achievements of previous presidencies to continue promoting an inclusive, sustainable, development-oriented, and human-centered approach, with the overarching goals of unlocking the digital economy’s full potential for all, improving people’s lives, and eliminating digital barriers.

In this context, the Datasphere Initiative, Data Privacy Brasil, the Center for Technology and Society (CTS-FGV), and NIC.br co-organized the event “Digital Dialogues: Thinking Together about the G20 Digital Agenda” in Brasilia at Escola Nacional de Administração Pública (ENAP) on February 20, 2024. The event represents the beginning of the work within the “Inclusive Digital Transformation” Task Force of the T20 engagement group (Think20).

Over 300 participants from 35 countries registered to attend the event (more than 200 participants attended online and around 100 in person) to discuss topics around the priorities of the Brazilian Presidency of the G20 related to the digital agenda. The event counted the participation of 50 speakers, including the leads of the T20 tracks and representatives of the other core G20 engagement groups.

The agenda covered the priorities of the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (meaningful connectivity, artificial intelligence, digital government, and information integrity) as well as intersectional issues, such as data for development, climate justice, indigenous rights, gender, and youth. The event also discussed how digital trends affect the priorities and challenges of different stakeholder groups, including businesses, the scientific community, academia, and civil society movements.

Conversations ventured into the importance of universal and meaningful connectivity, emphasizing the need for harmonized indicators, and Brazilian efforts to map the real needs of users. Regarding artificial intelligence, discussions underscored the need for innovative financing mechanisms and addressing infrastructure gaps. With regard to digital government, the discussion centered on the importance of building trustworthy digital public infrastructure (DPI) and the necessity of international cooperation in its development and distribution. Discussions about information integrity also emphasized the role of civil society in shaping digital governance, stressing the need for transparency and multi-stakeholder engagement. Overall, participants and speakers stressed the importance of inclusive processes, international cooperation, collaborative policy formulation, and multi-stakeholder engagement to shape a fair and comprehensive digital agenda that benefits all.

This blog summarizes the key highlights of the conversation.

Multistakeholder Cooperation and Engagement

Participants highlighted the importance of fostering multistakeholder cooperation and establishing clearer avenues for engagement within and beyond the G20 and across stakeholder groups, such as the T20, C20, B20, S20, and W20, among others. There was a consensus on the need for a platform to facilitate connections and include diverse voices in the conversation.

“Bringing the digital agenda and human rights topics to environments like the G20 is a way to shed light on the discussion and bring more accountability.” said Guilherme Canela, UNESCO.

The intersectionality of digital issues with various societal concerns such as climate change, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, youth, and children’s issues, and antiracism was also recognized, prompting discussions on how these topics inform each other and need to be incorporated into the heart of the digital agenda.

“We need an environment that propitiates exchange. We need to talk, and build a way and common ground to see AI as the main path for development for the world.” mentioned Betânia Lemos, Escola Nacional de Administração Pública (ENAP).

Catalyzing a mission-oriented process

The discussions underscored the necessity of ensuring that the benefits of the digital and the data economy are accessible to all individuals and communities, not just a privileged few.

“Meaningful connectivity means that you can study, work, and produce innovation, you are not just a consumer, you can produce and consume innovation.” stressed Luca Belli, Center for Technology and Society, FGV Direito Rio.

Although countries like Brazil have reached almost universal connectivity, with most of its population accessing the internet, it remains a challenge to achieve meaningful connectivity. Meaningful connectivity requires critical enabling factors, such as affordability, equipment accessibility, connection quality, and frequent use. CETIC.br and NIC.br have been running a household survey for the last two decades, to understand how the concept of meaningful connectivity has evolved.

“Although we almost have universal connectivity in Brazil, we still don’t have meaningful connectivity We are launching an analytical framework to understand this concept, which is being observed in Brazil in terms of households and individuals.” shared Alexandre Barbosa, CETIC.br.

It was suggested that efforts should be focused on strengthening data governance to support meaningful connectivity, digital government, AI, information integrity, and other cross-cutting topics.

In fact, one of the conclusions was that an International Decade for Data (IDD) could drive investment in data collection, promote data literacy and education, support bridging the digital divide, encourage international data collaboration, and leverage data to advance progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“An International Decade for Data provides time to solve complex global challenges, offers a mission and vision for the international community, and promotes a global conversation.” said David Passarelli, Centre for Policy Research, United Nations University (UNU-CPR).

Innovating in multistakeholder cooperation

The use of innovative and agile frameworks was highlighted as a way to address the unpredictable uncertainty and ambiguity prevalent in the current global environment. Approaches and tools such as sandboxes were seen as valuable tools for finding workable solutions more rapidly than through abstract thought experiments, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation and local partnerships in tackling digital challenges effectively.

“We need to experiment with the things we want to have. AI can and should be used to promote good.” said Philipe Moura, Associação Brasileira de Inteligência Artificial (ABRIA).

Next steps

The event’s success highlighted the necessity of continuous engagement and collaboration across various sectors, including academia, civil society, private entities, and government agencies to address complex data and digital challenges in the context of the G20 process.

“We need new means of cooperation, and the G20 and engagement groups are one of these means for us to achieve this cooperation and engagement of all stakeholder groups.” stated Jaqueline Pigatto, Data Privacy Brasil.

To sustain and amplify this momentum, the recommendation is to orchestrate a follow-up event that not only delves deeper into the topics discussed but also expands the avenues for multistakeholder participation.

This potential series of events will serve as a platform to support the work of the T20 and to further foster collaboration, dialogue, and alignment among diverse G20 engagement groups, ensuring their active participation and contribution to the G20 process. As a recommendation to Brazil, participants highlighted that by continuing to open avenues for multistakeholder engagement and an integrated approach to the digital agenda, the country could strengthen its position as a leader in driving the digital agenda globally.

“We have to make sure that we have a coherent narrative from data to value. We have to ensure these technologies are inclusive and equitable, and build multistakeholder avenues for engagement.” concluded Lorrayne Porciuncula, Datasphere Initiative.

• Watch the recording of the event.
• Learn more about the event.
• Access the summary of the event.

International Women’s Day 2024 campaign theme is #InspireInclusion. Inclusion is a must-have in our data-driven societies and raising awareness about the value of women’s inclusion is fundamental to building a more equitable data-driven world.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Datasphere Initiative spoke to inspiring women working on different aspects of data governance to ask them why inspiring inclusion is important in policy and technical approaches to unlocking the value of data, and the actions they are taking to ensure inclusion in how data is used, managed and governed.

• Camila Gomide on Leveraging Inclusive Data for Women’s Safety Online
• Mariana Rozo-Paz on Belonging in a Data-Driven World
• Lilian Olivia Orero on how inclusive data is the key to unlocking a safer online world for women
• Edith Milanzi on the Power of Inclusion: Unlocking the Value of Data

The UNCTAD eWeek 2023 was held on December 4–8, 2023, in Geneva, Switzerland under the theme ‘Shaping the future of the digital economy’. The event explored key policy areas that must be addressed to build an inclusive and sustainable digitalization at the national, regional, and global levels with the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.

The roundtable, co-organized by the Datasphere Initiative, the Brazilian Data Protection Authority (ANPD), & Lawyers Hub on December 4, 2023, engaged a diverse group of stakeholders in a highly practical conversation on how to measure and leverage creative solutions within sandboxes for data. It particularly focused on developing countries where data poverty and infrastructure challenges pose barriers to equitable and inclusive digital transformation. Participants were invited to share their own best practices on how to design effective sandboxes for data that foster trust and benefit all.

This blog summarizes the key takeaways from the discussion.

Timea Suto, Global Policy Lead Digital Economy, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), supported that we should move towards horizontal, flexible, and technologically neutral frameworks that responsibly unlock the value of data while guaranteeing the effective protection of people’s privacy and security.

Data underpins and reflects human activities. However, how we unlock the value of data to tackle global challenges is addressed in separate silos and the patchwork of uncoordinated actions creates more problems than it solves. At a time of increasing data localization measures, digital protectionism, and fragmentation, agile and rights-respecting approaches to data-sharing are needed more than ever.

Timea argued that despite the core role of data in facilitating economic activity and innovation, there is a growth of mistrust in data and data flows. In this context, she supported the implementation of policies fostering responsible cross-border data transfers, and the development of regulatory sandboxes to allow for dialogue between stakeholders. Such policies and tools can reinforce trust and boost data-driven innovation.

“To address mistrust and unlock the value of data, there should be a move towards flexible, technologically neutral frameworks,” mentioned Timea.

Risper Onyango, Policy Lead of Digital Economy, at Lawyers Hub Kenya, advocated for the integration of regulatory sandboxes in different sectors, and regions, and emphasized the importance of multistakeholder participation within the sandbox. Sandboxes are seen as an effective tool to handle the nuances around data governance, as shown in the fintech sector, which is leading its implementation.

Risper also pointed out that there is a need to foster inclusivity in international fora, by including the African perspective in these discussions, and stakeholder groups that are often left behind, such as civil society.

“Harmonizing cross-border regulations and practices within the African continent presents challenges due to differing regional and continental structures. Streamlined and coordinated efforts are needed to create harmonized regulations,” shared Risper.

Lorrayne Porciuncula, Executive Director of the Datasphere Initiative, highlighted the necessity to move from a linear approach to a more agile and iterative approach through sandboxes in data governance. Sandboxes provide a collaborative environment for data testing and have the potential to address complex challenges of data governance. In addition, they enable experimentation with new uses, capabilities, and means of governing data.

However, there is still a long way to go before sandboxes are fully embraced to help design data policy frameworks, especially in a cross-border regulatory context. More dialogue, engagement, and investment are needed to fully bring their potential to life. During the session, Lorrayne explored common misconceptions surrounding sandboxes and their potential to tackle data policy issues regulators face. The Datasphere Initiative has previously addressed some myths around sandboxes.

Finally, Ms. Porciuncula shared the plans of the Datasphere Initiative for launching a Global Sandboxes Forum. The project would aim to bring experts and practitioners together to experiment with technical and policy solutions for data governance.

“To tackle these complex issues, we must adopt a more agile approach. The term “sandbox” itself underscores the meaning of a safe space to build, create, and recreate,” said Lorrayne.

Lucas Costa dos Anjos, Data Protection Specialist at the National Data Protection Authority Brazil (ANPD), argued that the use of sandboxes can help in the implementation of regulatory policies by testing them in a controlled environment.

Brazil has a strong tradition in internet regulation and sees multistakeholder participation as an effective way for cooperation for better decision-making. Before launching the sandbox, ANPD opened a public consultation to gather inputs on the regulatory sandbox for artificial intelligence and data protection in Brazil.

Lucas added that transparency mechanisms are essential to build public trust in sandbox initiatives. ANPD plans to externalize and multiply the knowledge obtained from the sandbox to guarantee transparency.

“Multistakeholder engagement is important in sandbox initiatives. In Brazil, the involvement of civil society, academia, government, and private sectors has been recognized as crucial to the success of such initiatives,” said Lucas.

Melody Musoni, Digital Economy and Governance Policy Officer at ECDPM, stated that regulatory sandboxes are beneficial in providing a safe environment to test fintech innovations and propose amendments where the existing framework may not be sufficient. Moreover, sandboxes can propose appropriate adjustments to current policy and legal structures. Melody shared experiences of countries in Africa implementing sandboxes, including South Africa, which set up an effective approach to regulating crypto assets.

However, she pointed out that financial requirements for entering a regulatory sandbox can be challenging for startups and small innovators, and might struggle to raise enough funding to implement them.

“Financial requirements for entering a regulatory sandbox can be challenging for startups and small innovators. Limited funding could hinder their participation, potentially inhibiting innovation in the fintech sector,” stated Melody.

All in all, speakers concluded that sandboxes are an effective instrument for testing and deploying collaborative data solutions within and across borders.

In summary, speakers affirmed that sandboxes serve as an effective instrument for testing and deploying collaborative data solutions within and beyond borders. They emphasized the importance of promoting education, and transparency, engaging in multistakeholder discussions, and facilitating funding to support these endeavors.

• Read the report Sandboxes for data. Creating spaces for agile solutions across borders
• Read about the Datasphere Initiative Global Sandboxes Forum

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) eWeek 2023, held from December 4 to 8 in Geneva, Switzerland, brought together global leaders, experts, and youth advocates to explore the theme “Shaping the Future of the Digital Economy.” This blog shares insights gathered from the session hosted by the Datasphere Initiative and the Internet Society’s Youth Standing Group on December 7, 2023, titled “The Power of Youth Voices to Reshape the Data Economy.”

The session aimed to address a crucial concern: the lack of youth representation in policy discussions. Despite being the most digitally connected generation in history, young voices are often marginalized in the decision-making processes that shape their roles in the data economy. The imperative to include youth in these types of discussions is highlighted by the belief that a truly equitable data future requires their active participation.

Nicholas Field, Lead Operations & Administration at the Datasphere Initiative, served as moderator of the session and drew attention to the lack of youth representation in crucial areas like data governance and policymaking processes. He highlighted the work of the Datasphere Initiative on responsible data use, amplifying voices, and experimenting with data-sharing solutions.

“The power of Youth must be harnessed in order to ensure we build an equitable data economy” shared Nicholas Field.

Sylvia Poll, Head of the Digital Society Division in the Telecommunication Development Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), shared insights into the organization’s commitment to achieving universal, meaningful connectivity. Acknowledging the digital divide that leaves 2.6 billion people without internet access, the ITU focuses on youth inclusion in decision-making processes and shaping digital policies.

ITU initiatives like Generation Connect actively engage global youth, recognizing their role in driving innovation and addressing digital challenges. Dunola Oladapo, member of Generation Connect, and Digital Inclusion (Youth) Programme Officer at ITU, addressed challenges and opportunities in youth engagement, noting the adverse impact of COVID-19 on digital inequalities. Despite challenges, the aim is to achieve equal representation, reduce inequalities, and ensure a more inclusive future for youth.

“As digital natives, and the most connected generation ever, youth today are best positioned to leverage ICTs for the advancement of the SDGs. Youth bring unique perspectives and the fresh energy to push for bold and forward-thinking policies that will foster the enabling environment for all to thrive and prosper in the digital ecosystem. Through Generation Connect, the flagship initiative of the ITU Youth Strategy, the ITU directly engages global youth and encourages their participation as equal partners alongside the leaders of today’s digital change, empowering young people with the skills and opportunities to advance their vision of a connected future” stated Dunola Oladapo.

Céliane Pochon, Junior Policy Advisor at the Swiss Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) discussed Switzerland’s proactive stance on digital self-determination but raised concerns about limited youth input in tech development. Céliane stressed the need for youth inclusion at all levels of policymaking. She mentioned that partnerships with youth organizations, education, and training programs on data governance are recommended strategies to enhance youth involvement.

“Partnering with youth organizations is also a very effective way of including their voices. For example, the national, regional, and global Internet Governance Fora are making efforts to include Youth in their work. Including youth right now in discussions and developments is ensuring the future generation has access to the knowledge and the tools to continue innovating” noted Céliane Pochon.

Victoria Tianyi Wang, Associate Programme Management Officer, E-Commerce and Digital Economy Branch, Division on Technology and Logistics at UNCTAD emphasized the youth’s instrumental role as the driving force in shaping the digital future. The youth consultation at the UNCTAD eWeek 2023, prioritizing inclusivity, aims to contribute to the 2030 SDG Summit and the UN Summit of the Future. She recognized youth as natural contributors and stakeholders in the digital economy, recommendations included strengthening international cooperation in building balanced and effective data governance frameworks, and a holistic and whole-of-government approach in designing inclusive digital policies for a sustainable future for all.

“Youth is uniquely positioned to harness the power of technology and innovation for inclusive and sustainable development gains. Your fresh perspectives, innate tech-savviness, and adaptability are the keys to unlocking new opportunities and solving complex challenges in shaping the future of the digital economy” said Victoria Tianyi Wang.

João Moreno Falcão, Vice-chair of the Internet Society’s Youth Standing Group explored the youth’s role in digital policymaking, highlighting their unique perspectives. João stressed the importance of youth inclusion in policymaking and the significance of continuity and inclusivity in digital initiatives.

“Improving youth participation in digital policy making is essential to mold a future where innovation, equity, and empowerment converge. The digital landscape must reflect the dreams and aspirations of every generation” expressed João Moreno Falcão.

Andrea Palomino, Digital Communications Associate at the Datasphere Initiative, focused on meaningful youth engagement in decision-making processes. She emphasized the important role of youth in shaping the data economy and introduced the Datasphere Initiative’s #Youth4OurDataFuture project, which seeks to enhance the participation and involvement of youth in data governance policy processes and bridge gaps between them and decision-makers.

“We are the most connected generation ever. We have lots of new ideas, but we also have concerns because sometimes our voices get overshadowed by decisions made by others. All of us should be involved in these types of decisions and discussions that will shape our future” said Andrea Palomino.

In conclusion, the speakers highlighted how important it is for young people to have a say in crucial decisions, but at the same time, the need to recognize challenges such as digital inequalities and the limited involvement of youth in tech policy development. Empowering youth voices will serve as a catalyst to responsibly unlock the value for all.

• Read more about UNCTAD eWeek 2023
• Check the AI session’s report
• Read more about the Youth4OurDataFuture project

In an increasingly data-driven world, the importance of quality, and accessible data cannot be overstated. Yet, substantial data gaps still persist, hindering the path towards sustainable and equitable global development. This blog shares some insights gathered from the Impact Data Summit 2023, where discussions examined artificial intelligence, data’s impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the role of multistakeholder efforts across sectors to advance initiatives.

The session, “Crunching the Numbers: Bridging Data Gaps in Development” organized by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Rockefeller Foundation, and data.org, delved into the issues surrounding data gaps and offered practical and innovative solutions aimed at bridging these data disparities.

“In a world driven by data, it’s crucial to address the gaps that hinder our progress towards a more inclusive and sustainable future.” highlighted Lorrayne Porciuncula, Executive Director of the Datasphere Initiative, and moderator of the session.

Lorrayne invited speakers to share examples of how lack of access to high-quality data, overlooked populations, and knowledge silos can limit sustainable and equitable growth.

Krista Jones Baptista, Data2X’s Executive Director, spoke to the issues facing women and girls due to the lack of gender data available to governments and institutions.

“Chronic under-investment and lack of prioritization in gender data directly correlates with the lack of comprehensive and accurate data on women and girls, which leads to incomplete, missing, and biased information.” she said.

Shikoh Gitau, Founder and CEO, Qhala shared experiences from the health sector.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Kenya’s government wanted to make informed decisions for the health and safety of its citizens”.

She explained how each health center maintained its own isolated data repository, resulting in policymakers relying on frameworks developed in other regions that were ultimately ill-suited to Kenya’s specific requirements.

Holly Krambeck, Program Manager, Data Lab, World Bank, emphasized how international cooperation among different partners and stakeholders is key to avoiding silos and fragmentation.

Krista Jones Baptista shared how their work in advocating for the inclusion of gender data in the development of financial policies and products to increase women’s economic power resulted in a pilot study in six countries that led to the development of The Gender Data Playbook for Women’s Financial Inclusion, published this past May.

“We know that when stakeholders, policymakers, and institutional leaders have and use the data about the challenges and contributions of women, girls, and gender-diverse people they can develop smarter and more effective solutions that accelerate progress toward a gender-equitable future, which in turn creates healthier, stronger, and more resilient communities and economies throughout the world,” said Krista.

The session’s panelists emphasized the need to use data responsibly to ensure equitable representation, mitigate biases, and ensure that no one is left behind.

Harnessing the power of data and empowering individuals and communities to foster trust can present an opportunity to guide our data-driven initiatives toward a more inclusive and just future.

• Learn more about the session here
• Read the key takeaways of the summit here

by the Datasphere Initiative.

Sandboxes are becoming an increasingly important testing tool to identify and address challenges associated with emerging technology. A few governments have already set up sandboxes to better understand the impact of potential regulatory frameworks. However, there is still a long way to go before sandboxes are fully embraced to help actually design data policy frameworks, especially in a cross-border regulatory context. More dialogue, education, and investment in active testing are needed to fully bring their potential to life.

A workshop held at the Internet Governance Forum in Kyoto, Japan on October 10, 2023, organized by Brazil’s Data Protection Authority Autoridade Nacional de Proteção de Dados (ANPD) and the Datasphere Initiative sought to debunk some of the myths around sandboxes and bring policymakers, private sector, academia, and civil society together in an exchange. This blog explores common misconceptions surrounding sandboxes and their potential to tackle data policy issues regulators face.

#Myth 1 — There is one definition of a “sandbox”

No sandbox will be the same and depending on who you ask, the definition of a sandbox is different. This shouldn’t alarm stakeholders but rather fuel openness and enable sandboxes to be used as an anchor for policy prototyping.

“There is not one definition of a “sandbox” — you can make it your own and make it fit your own purposes,” said Kari Laumann, Head of Section for Research, Analysis and Policy & Project Manager for the Regulatory Sandbox, Norwegian Data Protection Authority.

In the report Sandboxes for Data: Creating spaces for agile solutions across borders, the Datasphere Initiative also stipulated that there are two types of sandboxes: “operational” or “regulatory”. Broadly speaking, operational sandboxes are testing environments where hosted data can be accessed and used, while regulatory sandboxes are collaborative processes where regulators and firms evaluate new technologies within a regulatory framework. More succinctly, operational sandboxes actually handle data, and regulatory sandboxes provide dialogue and guidance on how data is handled.

#Myth 2 — Regulators need specific skills to start a sandbox

There’s not one skill-set that regulators need to set-up a sandbox. Because all sandboxes are very different in nature, issue, and design, there are no particular skills required apart from regulators having the understanding and knowledge about what a sandbox is and an approach to take.

Speakers at the IGF workshop shared how governments have been calling on each other to share experiences with sandboxes as many lessons can be transferable even across geographies, cultures, sectors, and policy issues. A challenge that governments often experience is rather the regulation constraints to implement sandboxes and engage purposefully with stakeholders.

“People are still afraid about what resources and skills are necessary for sandboxes, under the impression you need to be a sophisticated regulator to deploy a sandbox,” shared Lorrayne Porciuncula, Executive Director, Datasphere Initiative.

With the support of the Hewlett Foundation, the Datasphere Initiative has prepared an Online Guide to Cross-border Sandboxes for Data. This online course builds on the report Sandboxes for Data: Creating spaces for agile solutions across borders and provides a policy roadmap for regulators looking to start a sandbox related to data. With an entire module on Africa in the context of the Datasphere Initiative’s Africa Forum on Sandboxes, the course offers a first step to understanding the opportunities and risks of setting up a data sandbox.

#Myth 3 — Sandboxes are a way to deregulate

Sandboxes can help regulators better understand a problem. This can clarify policy challenges or new tech applications and how to develop user safeguards. Sandboxes can promote responsible data governance and AI innovation by understanding the impact of technologies and regulatory capacities. By bringing together different actors into regulatory discussions, sandboxes can create a space where innovative ideas can flourish while safeguarding privacy and data protection.

“We view sandboxes as a crucial tool to support industry and help them find appropriate safeguards for the user,” said Denise Wong, Assistant Chief Executive, Data Innovation & Protection Group, Singapore Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

“As policymakers, we want to be flexible, dynamic and respond to changes needed in regulatory frameworks,” said Agnes Vaiciukeviciute, Deputy Minister of Transport & Communications of the Republic of Lithuania.

For example, Brazil’s Data Protection Authority Autoridade Nacional de Proteção de Dados (ANPD) has launched a consultation on a Regulatory Sandbox on AI and Data Protection in Brazil. In this case, given the complexity of the subject, a sandbox will be used as a regulatory tool to obtain elements for the elaboration of regulation, increase algorithmic transparency, and foster responsible AI innovation, among other objectives. In the call for contributions, open until November 1, 2023, information and data relevant to the regulatory sandbox will be collected to understand the perspectives of different interested sectors that might be affected by future regulation regarding Artificial Intelligence and data protection, in addition to other benefits listed in this analysis.

Another interesting resource on Regulatory Sandboxes in AI is this OECD report released this year, which points out opportunities, challenges, and policy considerations for AI sandboxes.

#Myth 4 — There aren’t many examples of sandboxes out there to learn from

Often with many new technologies or policy approaches, investors or regulators hold their breadth to anticipate how the market or legal environment will react to first initiatives before launching their own. This might be the case for data sandboxes where the complexity and nuance of policy dynamics often with technical implications or cross-cutting risks can stifle innovation or address a problem head-on. While not often showcased, there are many interesting examples of sandboxes and useful lessons learned that could help support other initiatives.

For example, through the FutureFlow sandbox, the UK’s Information Commissioner (ICO) got valuable insight into the financial sector and how banks and other financial institutions might choose to leverage and share data to detect financial crime. In 2020 the National Bank of Angola set up a sandbox to allow fintech start-ups to test their products and services in a real market environment, providing guidance on regulations, and helping form new laws. This was followed by a Fintech “Regulatory Sandbox” platform in 2023.

“We seek to create a space where innovative ideas can flourish while safeguarding privacy and data protection,” mentioned Thiago Moraes, Coordinator of Innovation and Research, Brazil’s Data Protection Authority, Autoridade Nacional de Proteção de Dados (ANPD).

#Myth 5 — Everyone is talking about sandboxes

On the one hand, increasing numbers of regulators are talking about sandboxes and starting consultations and initiatives to take forward and design such approaches. For example, the European Commission has launched various sandbox consultations and initiatives from blockchain to AI. On the other hand, opportunities for recurring or structured dialogue across countries and regions are sorely lacking. Without such a space, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and collaboration are lost. “Sandboxing” sandboxes could reduce costs and share resources on what can be possible. More experimentation and sharing of experiences could help unpack the opportunities and challenges of setting up sandboxes for data in a particular sector or regulatory environment.

The Datasphere Initiative plans to launch a Global Sandboxes Forum, to bring together a global cross-sectoral community of experts to design cross-border sandboxes for data, build trust, and share experiences. The goal of such a forum would be to bring: 1) More cross-sectoral innovation, involving different and potentially conflicting national regulatory frameworks, 2) Increased data availability, accessibility, and shared technical standards, 3) The creation of digital public goods through new data intermediary models, 4) More robust and diverse coalitions of stakeholders than what has been seen to date.

Interested in learning more about the sandboxes and the discussion at IGF 2023?

• Watch the recording of the event here.
• Enroll in the Datasphere Initiative’s Online Course on Cross-border Sandboxes for Data
• Read more information about the Global Sandboxes Forum here.

Natalia Loungou, Events and Communications Coordinator, Datasphere Initiative

The Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) is a regional initiative that brings together different stakeholders to address internet-related issues in Africa. This year it took place in Abuja, Nigeria from September 19–21, 2023.

The Datasphere Initiative, in collaboration with the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL), organized a roundtable titled “Unlocking Data for African Prosperity: Strategies to Address Risks and Leverage Opportunities” at the event. The session identified data-sharing challenges and opportunities to increase data-sharing in Africa while safeguarding privacy and empowering people.

This blog shares the key takeaways from this insightful discussion and explores ways to leverage opportunities.

There is a need to harmonize data-sharing policies in Africa

Diana Sang, Regional Director for Africa at the Digital Impact Alliance, moderated the session and addressed the need for harmonizing data-sharing policies across African states. She underscored the importance of public-private partnerships to support cross-border data flows and raised important questions to consider in this regard.

“We have seen public-private partnerships work in different areas. But how do we engage and build these partnerships when it comes to data? What should governments put in place to support these collaborations?” asked Diana Sang.

In this context, Jacqueline Tsuma, Digital Country Support Lead, UNDP Nigeria, presented the Data Policy Navigator, an initiative supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), as a successful model for cross-sectoral collaboration. This platform brings data from the public and private sectors to help governments and policymakers make decisions to address societal, environmental, and economic pressing challenges.

“African governments are starting to see the benefits of open data, which is enabling them to move forward.” shared Jaqueline Tsuma.

Dr. Jimson Olufuye, CEO of Kontemporary Konsulting, discussed the role of the private sector in adapting cross-border data-sharing regulations and showcased innovative solutions for data-sharing complexities. He also called for multistakeholder collaboration to address policy challenges.

“Stakeholders, like the technical community, civil society and public and private sectors, have to work together to address these issues.” said Dr. Jimson Olufuye.

Africa holds an enormous potential for data value creation

One of the central themes of the session was the growing recognition that responsible data sharing can boost economic participation in Africa. Data is not just about personal information but also includes non-personal data. To harness the full potential of data, an enabling environment and harmonization are essential. Prof. Alison Gillwald, the Executive Director of Research ICT Africa, underscored the importance of establishing open data frameworks and creating environments that encourage community participation, to unlock the value of data for all across the continent.

“It’s important to get open data frameworks that enable people’s participation. It’s key to include these communities to create these enabling environments.” highlighted Alison Gillwald.

Alison Gillwald pointed out that there are imbalances in regard to data flows in Africa, with most of the data still leaving the continent. In this regard, Africa has to find ways to harness its data and extract value from it. The continent holds immense potential for data value creation, provided that the right enabling environment is established, and harmonization occurs at the necessary scale and scope.

“There is a lot of non-personal data that can provide value, but it doesn’t happen without an enabling environment and harmonization in the continent.” said Alison Gillwald.

Unlocking the value of data for all requires innovation

Responsibly unlocking the value of data for all in Africa requires innovative solutions and collaboration with regional partners. The Datasphere Initiative has launched the Africa Forum on Sandboxes to test sector-specific challenges in areas such as sustainability, health, AI, finance, and mobility, within a secure sandbox environment. This approach enables stakeholders to identify and address issues that must be resolved to scale these solutions effectively across borders.

“Our ambition is to build a Global Sandboxes Forum to share experiences around Africa, Europe, Asia, LatAm… In Africa, we operationalize the notion of responsibly unlocking the value of data for all, through our Africa Sandboxes project.” shared Lorrayne Porciuncula, Executive Director of the Datasphere Initiative, who invited partners to join this effort.

Lorrayne highlighted that governance stands out as a significant challenge in sharing data across borders, with many solutions and arrangements not being put into practice. The Africa Forum on Sandboxes, supported by the Hewlett Foundation, aims to operationalize concepts and principles into practical solutions. This involves creating a secure space for testing these solutions and sharing valuable practices within policymakers and regulators.

“The biggest challenge of data-sharing revolves around governance rather than technology. For example, identifying stakeholders, developing and scaling solutions, and fostering trust among these stakeholders.” concluded Lorrayne Porciuncula.

The road ahead

Africa’s path to unlocking the value of data for all includes harmonizing policies, fostering intersectoral partnerships, leveraging open data policies while securing privacy, addressing imbalances, and promoting innovation. These actions are vital to create a future where data contributes to prosperity and benefits everyone in Africa.

By adopting these strategies, Africa can ensure the responsible sharing of data and create an environment where data’s potential is fully realized, fostering economic growth, societal progress, and inclusive participation in the data-driven economy.

• Watch the recording of the session (from 1:12:30) here.
• More information about the session here.
• Learn more about the Datasphere Initiative Africa Forum on Sandboxes here.
• Enroll in the Online Course on Sandboxes for Data here.

Natalia Loungou, Events and Communications Coordinator, Datasphere Initiative

On October 5, 2023, the Datasphere Initiative, along with the Data for Development Network (D4D.net) and the Global Index on Responsible AI, hosted an online event on data governance and artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa as part of the “Let’s Talk About Data & AI” webinar series.

The discussion focused on the effective governance of data and AI, including the key players in the ecosystem, policy considerations, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Landscape of Artificial Intelligence in Africa

The moderator of the session, Rachel Adams, Chair of the D4D Network and Principal Investigator for the Global Index on Responsible AI, highlighted the importance of bringing a southern perspective to the global governance of AI and the need to emphasize the insights and knowledge from regions that have been underrepresented in global debates.

In training AI systems, Leo Mutuku, AI Research Lead at the Local Development Research Institute, pointed out the importance of having high-quality and diverse datasets to ensure that local communities in Africa are both represented and equal beneficiaries of AI development.

“If we have good approaches to data governance, we ensure that human rights are safeguarded, and at the same time, ensure equitable access and the sharing of benefits”.

Melissa Omino, Director of the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law, provided insights into the legal landscape in Africa concerning data protection and AI. While Africa has made significant strides in data protection laws, the same cannot be said for AI regulation. Melissa also addressed the need for strategies and roadmaps to guide the development of AI regulations, emphasizing the importance of understanding the African context.

“We need to take a step back and first understand the African ecosystem before regulating it. Let’s have a roadmap first.”

Justin Bryant, who leads the Global Sandboxes Forum at the Datasphere Initiative, shared insights on the concept of sandboxes as a means to foster AI innovation while addressing regulatory challenges. He discussed the unique perspectives that African nations can bring to global conversations along with the specific challenges they face, including infrastructure limitations and the crucial need for workforce development. Justin advocated for accelerated capacity building, together with knowledge sharing and the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration in shaping AI governance.

“It’s very important for African nations to understand the unique perspectives that they bring to the global conversation. Africa has so much richness to contribute and it needs to be reflected in innovative proposals for regulation”.

Key Challenges and Solutions of AI Governance in Africa

The panelists touched upon several critical insights and challenges in the context of AI governance in Africa:

• AI regulation in Africa: Africa is still in the early stages of an AI regulatory framework with relatively little legislation or policy currently in place on the continent. The absence of comprehensive AI regulations poses a significant challenge when it comes to implementing effective data governance. To address this challenge, there is a pressing need to consider the development of a code of conduct to guide stakeholders involved in AI development and use. Panelists agreed that rushing into regulations may not serve the local context effectively. Developing AI strategies and guidance based on understanding the African ecosystem are prerequisites to regulation.
• Capacity building: Building capacity among policymakers, the workforce (specifically youth), and educators is crucial for advancing AI governance that does not further marginalize traditionally underrepresented elements within African communities. Justin emphasized in particular the importance of supporting digital-native youth and universities in Africa.
• Multi-stakeholder approach: The need for multi-stakeholder collaboration, including civil society, the public and private sectors, regulators, and international institutions, was recognized as essential for the development of robust AI governance.
• Inclusive policies: Melissa underscored the importance of integrating gender equity and the needs of marginalized groups into policy frameworks across the continent. Developing a dedicated strategy or roadmap that prioritizes these underrepresented segments of society would play a pivotal role in effectively addressing the associated challenges.

Looking Ahead

As African countries seek to integrate their unique perspectives in global AI governance, the path forward lies in collaborative, multi-stakeholder efforts, capacity building, and inclusive policies and frameworks.

Capacity-building initiatives, particularly for digital-native youth and universities, will empower Africa to harness the full potential of AI while shaping its trajectory responsibly. In addition, prioritizing inclusive policies and frameworks that consider the multifaceted dimensions of AI, including gender dynamics and marginalized groups, could help ensure that the benefits of AI extend equitably to all segments of society.

Africa’s active engagement in these endeavors not only enriches the global AI ecosystem, but also positions the continent as a vital contributor to a more inclusive, equitable, and ethically-driven AI future.

• Watch the recording of the event here.
• More information about the webinar series here.
• Read more about the Africa Forum on Sandboxes for Data here.
• Enroll in the online course “A Guide to Cross-Border Sandboxes for Data” here.

Carolina Rossini, Director of Policy & Research, Datasphere Initiative.

Introduction

In an era driven by technological advancements, the world’s pursuit of sustainable development has become both a global priority and a complex challenge. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a comprehensive roadmap for addressing pressing global issues such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and more. To navigate this intricate landscape successfully, the importance of data cannot be overstated. As part of the Datasphere Initiative 2022/2023 Fellowship Cohort, eight graduate students and young professionals were invited to develop research outputs for pressing challenges related to data governance and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This blog summarizes those findings and shares why data serves not only as a means to monitor progress but also as a powerful tool to inform policies, drive interventions, and catalyze transformation. The analysis explores dual concepts of data as infrastructure and the necessity for improved data infrastructure at the national level in achieving the SDGs.

Data as Infrastructure

Just as roads, bridges, and utilities are vital components of physical infrastructure, data can be conceptualized as the digital infrastructure underpinning sustainable development efforts. The analogy draws attention to data’s foundational role in facilitating effective decision-making, fostering innovation, and enabling cross-sector collaboration. Just as a nation’s economic growth relies on well-connected physical infrastructure, the achievement of the SDGs hinges on robust data infrastructure.¹

In the context of the SDGs, data as infrastructure encompasses more than just statistical indicators. It includes a wide range of data types, such as geospatial information, satellite imagery, social media sentiment, and real-time sensor data.² This diverse array of data sources empowers stakeholders to gain a multifaceted understanding of complex challenges and devise targeted solutions. For example, satellite data can monitor changes in forest cover and urban expansion, aiding in sustainable land use planning to fulfill SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).³

By making it easier to develop ICT infrastructure and provide ubiquitous and inexpensive internet access, unlocking the value of data is essential for realizing SDG 9.c. ‘Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation’. Understanding the requirements, expectations, and usage patterns of individuals, communities, and industries depends heavily on data. Policymakers and organizations are better equipped to allocate resources, plan inclusive and sustainable industrialization projects, and install ICT infrastructure by utilizing and analyzing data. Data-driven insights help the accomplishment of SDG 9.c’s goals by enabling targeted interventions, effective resource allocation, and evidence-based policymaking.

Gabriel Souto, Fellow, Datasphere Initiative

Better Data Infrastructure at the National Level

While global efforts focus on achieving the SDGs collectively, it is essential to recognize the pivotal role of individual countries in realizing these objectives. National governments act as the primary implementers of SDG-related policies and interventions, making their data infrastructure crucial for success. Many countries, particularly in the Global South, face challenges in collecting, managing, and utilizing data effectively. Insufficient technical capacity, limited resources, and fragmented data ecosystems hinder their ability to accurately make informed decisions and monitor progress.⁴

Investing in better data infrastructure at the national level has far-reaching benefits. A robust data ecosystem enables countries to tailor interventions to their unique contexts, thus maximizing impact. For instance, data-driven analyses of healthcare access can help identify underserved regions, enabling targeted healthcare interventions to meet SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) targets. Additionally, well-structured data systems enable governments to track and address disparities among different demographic groups, thereby advancing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality).

SDG 16 is devoted to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and to the establishment of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. Open-source monitoring (otherwise known as Open Source Intelligence or OSINT) of human rights violations and targeted violence is an innovative approach that uses technology to gather, sort, and analyze data from publicly available sources, including social media, video and image-sharing websites, mapping tools, and satellite imagery. Data aggregated through open-source monitoring can be used by advocacy groups, journalists, and other human rights defenders to compile evidence and enhance prosecution of violations against peace, justice, and human rights.

Arindrajit Basu, Fellow, Datasphere Initiative

Beyond Statistical Tracking: Data-Powered Knowledge and Technologies

Data’s significance extends beyond its use for statistical tracking of the SDGs themselves; it empowers stakeholders with knowledge-driven insights and facilitates the deployment of cutting-edge technologies and interventions. Advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning techniques enable predictive modeling and scenario analysis, enhancing decision-makers' ability to plan for future challenges.⁵

Consider the realm of disaster management and climate resilience pertinent to SDG 13 (Climate Action). By analyzing historical and real-time data, governments and organizations can predict the impact of natural disasters, optimize evacuation plans, and allocate resources efficiently.⁶ Similarly, the fusion of data and technology is driving innovations in renewable energy, contributing to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) by enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of sustainable energy sources.⁷

The lack of accuracy of climate preparedness strategies is caused by a persistent climate action data gap. National Greenhouse Gas inventories are the primary tool for tracking anthropogenic (human-induced) GHG emissions at the country, sector, and source category level.⁸ Over the next years, these inventories will support setting and measuring progress against each country’s “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs) for reducing GHG emissions while also supporting domestic climate policy development and evaluation. Climate data collection and interpretation must be improved, especially locally. Gaps are related to quantity (omissions) and quality (updates, etc.). Specifically related to adequate coverage, regular updates, timeliness, online availability, availability of historical data, reusability, machine-readability, accessibility, and completeness.

Francesca De Chiara, Fellow, Datasphere Initiative

Data-empowered artificial intelligence (AI)

While there are increasing legitimate concerns around AI — from transparency to diversity and ethics, to name a few, it is undeniable that data-empowered artificial intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in driving progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By harnessing the vast volumes of data generated across sectors, AI technologies can uncover intricate patterns, make predictions, and provide insights that amplify the impact of efforts to achieve the SDGs.

For instance, AI can enable precision in resource allocation, optimizing healthcare, agriculture, and energy interventions. It can aid in identifying vulnerable populations, predicting disease outbreaks, and devising tailored solutions, thereby advancing health and well-being (SDG 3). Moreover, AI-driven analysis of environmental data contributes to climate action (SDG 13) by modeling climate patterns, enhancing disaster management, and supporting sustainable resource management. AI-powered technologies also promote inclusivity, such as speech and image recognition for people with disabilities, fostering reduced inequalities (SDG 10).⁹

As AI continues to evolve, its ability to swiftly process and interpret data holds immense potential to accelerate progress toward the SDGs and unearth innovative solutions to complex global challenges.

Conclusion

In the global pursuit of sustainable development, data’s role as infrastructure and the imperative for improved data infrastructure at the national level are inseparable. Data serves as the bedrock upon which informed decisions, effective policies, and transformative interventions are built. By embracing data-powered knowledge and leveraging technology, countries can propel themselves closer to achieving the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals. As we stand on the cusp of a data-driven future, fostering a culture of data collection, sharing, and utilization is not just an option but a necessity for a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable world.

¹ Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network, (2023), https://sdgs.org.au/project/aurin-a-spatial-data-infrastructure-to-help-monitor-and-evaluate-australias-sustainable-development/

² Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network, (2023), https://sdgs.org.au/project/aurin-a-spatial-data-infrastructure-to-help-monitor-and-evaluate-australias-sustainable-development/

³ Global Forest Watch, (2022), Investigate forest change with recent satellite imagery, https://www.globalforestwatch.org/help/map/guides/investigate-forest-change-satellite-imagery/

⁴ Under half the world’s people still do not use the Internet, according to ITU’s latest statistics. Disenfranchised populations, particularly women and girls, older people, persons with disabilities, indigenous populations, and the economically disadvantaged, as well as people living in LDCs, landlocked developing countries, and small island developing states, need to be included in the emerging digital society to meet all 17 SDGs. ITU, (2021, Digital technologies to achieve the UN SDGs)

⁵ Ricardo Vinuesa, Hossein Azizpour, Iolanda Leite, Madeline Balaam, Virginia Dignum, Sami Domisch, Anna Felländer, Simone Daniela Langhans, Max Tegmark & Francesco Fuso Nerin, (2020), The role of artificial intelligence in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-14108-y

⁶ Haishan Fu, (2023) We need disaster data to save lives and guide recovery, World Bank Blogs, https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/we-need-disaster-data-save-lives-and-guide-recovery

⁷ International Energy Agency, (2021), Better energy efficiency policy with digital tools, https://www.iea.org/articles/better-energy-efficiency-policy-with-digital-tools

⁸ Emily McGlynn, Serena Li, Michael F. Berger, Meredith Amend & Kandice L. Harper, (2022), Addressing uncertainty and bias in land use, land use change, and forestry greenhouse gas inventories, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-021-03254-2

⁹ Ricardo Vinuesa, Hossein Azizpour, Iolanda Leite, Madeline Balaam, Virginia Dignum, Sami Domisch, Anna Felländer, Simone Daniela Langhans, Max Tegmark & Francesco Fuso Nerin, (2020), The role of artificial intelligence in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-14108-y

Lorrayne Porciuncula, Executive Director, Datasphere Initiative

This week I will join governments, the United Nations system, the private sector, civil society, grass-roots organizations, academia, and youth in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Many events on data and digital development are on this year’s agenda and I will be sharing why it’s time for a transformative shift in policy efforts to embrace a holistic vision of data governance.

In this blog, I share some thoughts on the development of the United Nations, Global Digital Compact and why data governance in particular needs to be addressed to realize such multistakeholder ambition and pave the way for an inclusive and sustainable digital future.

Background

In May 2023, ahead of the Summit of the Future in 2024, the United Nations (UN) released “Our Common Agenda”, an agenda of action to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Our Common Agenda” outlined the foundations of a Global Digital Compact (GDC), which would set out the “principles, objectives and actions for advancing an open, free, secure and human-centered digital future”, anchored in human rights and enabling the SDGs.

The process of the GDC included a series of online consultations with stakeholders that ran from June 2022 through April 2023. Based on these consultations, the Secretary-General released Policy Brief 5 proposing the development of the Global Digital Compact and outlining the areas where multistakeholder cooperation is urgent to shape “a shared vision on digital cooperation”.

The Datasphere Initiative provided spoken and written contributions to the consultations and worked with related partners to emphasize why data needs to be responsibly unlocked for all. Below are some of the recommendations we shared and continue to call for action on:

1. We need to talk about data: personal and non-personal

Data is transversal to all economic and social sectors, underpinning practically all activities. While the centrality of data in decision-making processes and for value creation has been increasingly recognized, discussions about new technologies and the digital future are often held without any consideration for data. The GDC discussions should necessarily start with data, which is the base for technological innovations, and a valuable asset in and of itself.

In fact, we not only need to talk about data but specifically about the value of both personal and non-personal data. Many ongoing data governance efforts only tackle personal data issues and often overlook the enormous potential that non-personal data brings to society.

Overall, talking about data and how to responsibly unlock its value for all will not only impact if we manage to build more equitable and inclusive digital societies but also how we do it.

2. Incautious reliance on analogies about data can lead to misguided policy choices

Analogies are useful to approach unfamiliar situations, but taking them too literally can lead to misguided policy choices. Data is multidimensional. The world of data is growing and diverse, prone to overlapping modes of classification and formed by numerous actors connected by complex relations and value chains.

Data is different from goods and services, as a non-rivalrous resource that can be replicated and combined in numerous value chains without being depleted. The location of storage and processing is not all that matters. Who collects, processes, or accesses data — and for what purpose(s) — is of high relevance.

The challenge for the GDC is hence not to be seduced by analogies of data or digital technologies as the new “water” or “oil”, as oversimplifying these issues could lead to misguided policy choices.

3. We need a holistic approach to data governance

With the rising awareness about the societal harms and challenges of governing data and digital technologies, all actors are confronted with the difficulty of setting the right balance between two opposing risks: on the one hand, excessively limiting the sharing of data reduces the many benefits that society as a whole — and individual actors — can derive from it; on the other hand, insufficient addressing legitimate concerns, and hence eroding trust, security, and economic and social value.

The GDC should note this tension and adopt a holistic and systemic approach that translates back into governance models that can effectively target these issues and unlock the value of data for all. One step in that direction is to bring stakeholders together and break silos to work towards collective data governance frameworks that foster data protection and innovation. This will help all stakeholders to intentionally contemplate the digital societies they collectively want to build and shape.

4. Data infrastructure and data as infrastructure

In the 21st century, data is foundational for the future of infrastructure. Data is a critical component and needs to be understood as a key part of modern-day infrastructure, but it presents new challenges to existing institutions concerned with the safe and effective management of infrastructure.

Having a strong understanding of “data as infrastructure” and the need to develop holistic “data infrastructure” will only become more vital as our populations grow and our economies and societies become ever more reliant on getting value from data to meet people’s needs.

5. We need to talk about data governance for AI and other technologies and find new dynamics to collaborate

By diving into the regulation of specific technologies, it is fundamental to dive deeper into the data governance discussion as well. Governments and the private sector around the world are struggling to deal with data’s multidimensional nature, while trying to understand, audit, and regulate technology in various sectors, such as machine learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Extended Reality (XR).

Talking about data governance cannot be a separate effort from the GDC, because attempting to engineer solutions, depending on siloed frameworks and uncoordinated actions, is bound to be futile in the face of the interdependencies of contemporary global society.

To make genuine progress, a new level of dynamic collaboration is needed. Sandboxes could be an interesting alternative to test technologies and data practices against regulatory frameworks, or experiment with new uses, capabilities, and means of governing data. By involving all types of stakeholders, sandboxes’ outputs resonate across a comprehensive audience and reflect a broad consensus.

6. Beyond data commons: the power of collective approaches

New normative, regulatory, and policy trends need to place more emphasis on bottom-up approaches and the importance of collective rights and impacts. While the impacts of certain data uses might not be easily detected at an individual level, they may become evident at the collective level. This collective level also offers the opportunity to unlock the value of data for communities and allow them to benefit from the data about their groups.

The GDC should venture into collective identities and societal dynamics as the basis for data analysis and governance efforts. It should also place greater relevance in consulting communities — as different principles to govern data are emerging from community concerns — and thinking about novel approaches to data governance that may center collectives rather than individuals.

7. A new arrangement: more nuance and common objectives

Data governance efforts have developed in a fragmented and siloed manner, and an increasing number of sector-specific norms contribute to that. Overcoming this fragmentation and mapping existing platforms, overlaps and gaps is necessary to build shared frameworks that ensure data interoperability and sharing. Multistakeholder engagement (that is: going beyond an agreement only between Member States), especially among practitioners and innovators, along with international cooperation, are key to creating a common language around data governance, protecting human rights, and promoting global competitiveness and data usage for innovation. Multilateral dialogues around the GDC should thus seek to find convergence between actors’ priorities and values and develop models that work for different contexts and needs.

Next Steps

Overall, the mission of the Datasphere Initiative is to responsibly unlock the value of data for all. Data is fundamental to unlocking the potential of technologies such as AI or Extended Reality spaces, which is why a Global Digital Compact must first start with a conversation about data.

Only by ensuring that the socio-economic benefits of both personal and non-personal data can be responsibly unlocked for all — in a manner that is rights and culturally respecting — will we be able to build a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable digital future.

The Datasphere Initiative, together with its partners, will keep on contributing to this conversation around the GDC and pushing for a holistic approach to data governance in different policy fora.

If you would like to collaborate and learn more about the Datasphere Initiative’s approach and policy advocacy efforts, reach out to info@thedatasphere.org.