Digital Policy

The increasing digitization of transnational commerce and innovation has raised new concerns about the existing frameworks on issues such as data protection, privacy, freedom of speech, artificial intelligence, taxation, trade, intellectual property, and competition. Digital issues touch much of day-to-day life and have the potential to cause disputes with major consequences, as domestic legislation now has far-reaching international effects. In an era of great power competition, governments are competing to create a model of digitalization that can become the global “gold standard.” The Atlantic Council aims to position itself as a critical facilitator of dialogue for the coordination of common standards for advancement in the digital realm.

Content

New Atlanticist

Feb 1, 2021

Free speech and online content: What can the US learn from Europe?

By Frances Burwell

Congress will certainly take on reforming Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, but it should not just focus on the companies and their responsibilities. Legislators should take a good, hard look in the mirror. They must provide the guidelines that are central to reducing violent extremist content online: rules on acceptable versus forbidden online speech.

Digital Policy Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Feb 1, 2021

Speech moderation and militant democracy: Should the United States regulate like Europe does?

By Kenneth Propp

Many Americans’ sunny faith in a robust media “marketplace of idea”’ is being tested. The European historical experience that informs “militant democracy” and speech-invasive privacy laws remains largely alien here. But adjustments at the margins, particularly in the areas of process, are possible and desirable.

Digital Policy Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jan 26, 2021

Varshney joins Brown University to discuss Evolving news media landscapes in India and Pakistan

By Atlantic Council

Digital Policy India

In the News

Jan 26, 2021

Nooruddin joins Brown University to discuss Evolving news media landscapes in India and Pakistan

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society Digital Policy

Event Recap

Jan 20, 2021

Event recap | Government and tech improvements for the delivery of public services

By Ben Schatz

In this episode of the GeoTech Hour, experts discuss strategies and examples of leadership in a period of rapid technological change.

Africa Americas

Issue Brief

Jan 19, 2021

How the rest of the world responds to the US-China split

By Hung Tran

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated fragmentation of the postwar world order. Its most poignant manifestation is in an intensifying competition between the United States and China for political and strategic influence. How countries respond to this split, unwelcome by most, depends on whether they see themselves as competitors to China, or as “price takers” in the international economic system.

China Digital Policy

Event Recap

Jan 13, 2021

Event recap | AI, China, and the global quest for digital sovereignty – Report launch

By GeoTech Center

In this episode of the GeoTech Hour, hosted January 13, 2021, we launch the report “Smart Partnerships amid Great Power Competition,” hold a conversation about AI, China, and the global quest for digital sovereignty, and gather experts to discuss regional specifics and the report authors’ alternative futures for global technology cooperation.

Africa Americas
GeoTech's Smart Partnerships report, image of a chessboard

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jan 12, 2021

Smart partnerships amid great power competition

By Mathew Burrows, Julian Mueller-Kaler

The report captures key takeaways from various roundtable conversations, identifies the challenges and opportunities that different regions of the world face when dealing with emerging technologies, and evaluates China’s role as a global citizen. In times of economic decoupling and rising geopolitical bipolarity, it highlights opportunities for smart partnerships, describes how data and AI applications can be harnessed for good, and develops scenarios on where an AI-powered world might be headed.

Africa Americas

GeoTech Cues

Jan 12, 2021

Cooperation in a bipolar world

By Mathew Burrows, Julian Mueller-Kaler

Taking into account China’s growing influence around the world, discussions often alluded to an uncomfortable truth: In order to avoid catastrophe, even rivals must cooperate, which is why participants, particularly at roundtables in Europe, were keen to identify a number of areas that could lower the tensions and help build trust among antagonistic stakeholders.

Africa China

GeoTech Cues

Jan 12, 2021

An unequal world

By Mathew Burrows, Julian Mueller-Kaler

An unequal world is probably the base case, exacerbated by the social and economic effects of the ongoing pandemic. In this future, emerging technologies have deepened divisions and inequalities instead of leveling the playing field domestically and internationally.

Africa China

Experts

Events