(Formal Photo for Speakers of the Opening Session) 

Description:

The publication of the EU AI Act 2 years ago, has accelerated governments around the world to respond with their own approaches to AI governance. The response illustrates the range of choices to be made, with many governments’ strategies acknowledging the complexity of regulating a fast-moving general-purpose technology in their approach. For example, the U.S, & the UK have opted for a vertically orientated approach, working across their regulatory agencies to shape their response based on the context of AI’s use, and adapt existing sectoral regulation where required. While China & Canada have chosen a horizontally oriented regulatory framework in the recently adopted Artificial Intelligence and Data Act.  The International Treaty on Artificial Intelligence, which the Council of Europe recently announced would be open for signature (starting this September), by the member states of the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom, is legally binding and is considered a major step towards ensuring the preservation of human rights values and the rule of law. Ethics consideration is a key concern with the algorithmic models on which Artificial Intelligence is based. Advocates for human rights have been calling for concepts of “fairness” and “equality” to be observed.  In addition, regulation should adhere to measures of necessity, proportionality & transparency. The Pact for the Future adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2024 included the adoption of the Global Digital Compact. The Pact introduced several recommendations related to Artificial intelligence, including the formation of an independent international scientific panel on AI and an intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder policy dialogue on AI governance. In this panel, experts will debate the different aspects of the two critical pillars, namely AI regulations/legislation & ethics. Discussions will cover global considerations with focus on experiences, challenges, and opportunities in the Arab region. 

Description:

This panel will delve into the complexities and nuances of Internet governance and digital sovereignty in the Arab region.  
The panel discussion aims to explore motives and practices for Internet governance and the risk Internet fragmentation poses to the one interconnected and interoperable Internet that’s a vital source for the social and economic development of humankind. The discussion will cover recent geopolitical tensions as well as commercial, technical, and policy trends that may lead to Internet fragmentation. Additionally, the panel will explore different views and potential strategies to balance Internet resilience and digital sovereignty to maintain a robust, equitable, and secure online space. 
The panel aims to bring a more holistic and inclusive debate to the table as well as providing a global and regional perspective from Global Digital Compact (GDC) to Arab Digital Agenda (ADA) on these issues and its implications for the Arab region and shed the light on the roles of the different stakeholders in this regard

Description:

The importance of data is on the rise, an organization’s wealth and value is measured today by the data it collects and owns on its users, clients, and individuals. In fact, data today became an economy vertical by itself. This data is used for engagement, growth, and monetization purposes.
While it is acceptable for organizations to benefit from the data they collect on individuals, it is far more important to protect and preserve the individual’s rights regarding the data collected about him or her. This is crucial since the collected data is not only related to the individual’s bio data but goes beyond that to include habits, behavior, and demographics. This is done today by almost all organizations interacted through cyberspace and the internet.
Therefore, individuals should be equipped with digital competencies and awareness and should have an equal right to know what data is collected about them, how it is used, manipulated, and analyzed. They have the right to view it, review it, dispute it, and provide their consent to it. To address this challenge, data privacy and data governance became the focal areas to ensure fair use and the balance between the rights of organizations and the rights of individuals on how their data is used.
In this regard, this session is dedicated to addressing and assessing the current situation and issues related to data privacy and governance. It will also shed the light on the Arab countries landscape related to data privacy and governance.

Description:

This workshop will provide comprehensive guidelines on how Lebanon successfully created its national IGF initiative following IGF principles for initiating NRIs and share knowledge and best practices on engaging Multi stakeholders and overcoming challenges to shape the Digital future.