The Global Digital Compact (GDC)

Source: The post the Global Digital Compact (GDC) has been created, based on the article “Global Digital Compact: advancing digital innovation in a sustainable fashion” published in “The Hindu” on 9th October is 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- International Relations-Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

Context: The article explains the Global Digital Compact (GDC), a non-binding agreement by UN members to harness digital technologies for global good. It highlights goals like reducing the digital divide, regulating AI, and promoting sustainable development, while addressing various challenges.

What is the Global Digital Compact (GDC)?

1. The Global Digital Compact (GDC) is a diplomatic instrument adopted by UN member countries at the ‘Summit of the Future.‘ It is not a binding law but a set of shared goals.
2. The GDC focuses on regulating digital technologies for the common good and ensuring human oversight to advance sustainable development.
3. The GDC is built on norms such as international law, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the UN 2030 Agenda. It calls for global cooperation in data and digital governance.
4. The GDC includes the establishment of two panels: an ‘Independent International Scientific Panel on AI‘ and a ‘Global Dialogue on AI Governance’ panel.

What are the benefits of the GDC?

1. Reduces Digital Divide: The GDC proposes “digital public goods” like open-source software, open data, and AI models to ensure broader access to the digital economy and help close the digital divide.
2. Encourages Public-Private Partnerships: The GDC envisions collaboration between governments and private entities to build shared digital infrastructure that delivers services according to stakeholders’ needs.
3. Advances AI Governance: By establishing panels for AI governance, the GDC seeks to promote responsible and ethical use of AI with proper human oversight.
4. Supports Sustainable Development: The GDC links digital technologies to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by enabling data collection and analysis to measure progress.
5. Strengthens Global Cooperation: The GDC emphasizes capacity-building through partnerships, especially in fostering South-South and North-South collaborations for developing digital public goods.

What are the challenges with the GDC?

1. Limited Openness in Partnerships: Public-private partnerships may face restrictions due to non-disclosure agreements and intellectual property protection. Openness is often limited to “as open as required.”
2. Ineffective Self-Regulation: The GDC promotes self-regulation for tech companies, but past experience shows this has failed to protect users effectively.
3. Data Privacy Concerns: Increasing data collection for AI without strong personal data protection laws raises privacy risks.
4. Monopolistic Control: The GDC proposes giving more power to corporations in data governance but lacks safeguards against monopolistic practices.
5. Global Cooperation Limits: Some countries reject “data flow with trust” to protect digital sovereignty.

What impact can the GDC have?

1. The GDC is not a complete solution but can foster collaboration, especially between developing and developed nations.
2. It can help in creating digital public goods, promoting digital inclusion, and supporting sustainable development goals.
3. If member states take it seriously, the GDC could lead to meaningful outcomes.

Question for practice:

Discuss how the Global Digital Compact (GDC) aims to reduce the digital divide and promote sustainable development.