The WCIT | IDECS 2023 summit organized by the WITSA and the Malaysian government toke place last month in Kuching, Borneo. Over 10.000 people attended this summit and brought together a truly global audience of Industry experts and policy makers to discuss the latest developments in ICT but also how to keep control of digital technology.
The Institute for Accountability in the Digital Age was invited to present a keynote on the accountability of AI followed by a panel discussion with local experts. Discussed was that we should not forget that practical applications of AI help to advance the #UN Sustainable Development Goals as demonstrated by #AIforGood. But how to keep AI safe? We first have to be aware how AI is presented in the main media which has influence on how we see technology (a threat or an asset). Furthermore, we have to be aware of the pace of things: how fast AI is developing and how much time it takes to develop policies and guidelines. The difference in speed creates an accountability gap. And at the same time we have to realize we already have more than enough tools & frameworks to govern digital technology. E.g. the OECD – OCDE policy observatory estimates almost 600 tools are available.
So, wat should one do? Don’t point a finger at someone else. Start being accountable by looking in the mirror and ask yourself what can I do to safeguard technology. Just adapt a framework and make it your one. In the mean time, be part of the discussion to help find solutions for a global level. Because ‘If you are not at the table, you are on the menu’.