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

In the News

Jul 15, 2020

Dr. David Bray: Can people, data, and technology help build a shock-resistant planet?

By Atlantic Council

The WebIT Virtual Thought Summit recently brought together a number of GeoTech experts, including GeoTech Commissioner Dr. Vint Cerf, and GeoTech fellows Daniella Taveau and Dr. Divya Chander, for a panel discussion co-moderated by Dr. David Bray, Director of the GeoTech Center. These leading experts provided their own perspectives on how the world, in responding to COVID-19, might consider certain technologically enabled solutions to predict and protect against future crises. Importantly, the panel pointed out how these technologies must be intentionally designed with people’s needs at the center, lest open societies see well-intentioned innovation evolve into tools for a surveillance state.

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Event Recap

Jul 15, 2020

Event recap | The future of trust and sensemaking online and in digital transactions

By Hannah Biggs

On July 15, 2020, the GeoTech Center hosted a discussion on ways to best increase trust and sensemaking online and in digital transactions.

Cybersecurity Digital Policy

Issue Brief

Jul 7, 2020

Trade and financial fragmentation: New challenges to global stability

By Robert A. Manning

There is greater uncertainty today about the future of global trade than at any time since the post-World War II trading system was created seven decades ago. This was true before the COVID-19 pandemic froze much of the world economy; the health crisis has added a new layer of uncertainty. We are at a historic inflection point: the global trade regime urgently needs renovation and updating to meet new challenges, yet it is fraying and fragmenting.

China Digital Policy

In the News

Jul 6, 2020

Linscott in the Hindu: Reforming India’s digital policy

By Atlantic Council

Digital Policy India

Interview

Jul 2, 2020

#DFRLabCoffeeBreak with European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová

Vice-President for Values and Transparency for the European Commission Věra Jourová speaks with DFRLab Senior Fellow, Jakub Kalensky about the Commission’s latest Joint Communication.

Digital Policy Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2020

India’s China app ban heightens need for multilateral discussion on digital privacy and security

By Justin Sherman

Even with other the political and economic factors at play, the decision may be a small sign of some shared ground between India and the United States when it comes to data policy.

China Digital Policy

Issue briefs and reports

Jun 30, 2020

Assessing Indian digital trade policies: Will they support a $5 trillion economy?

By Mark Linscott

Trade policy has come to the fore as a growing number of countries restrict exports of critical medical supplies to ensure sufficient availability for patients in-country. In this crisis, international collaboration to keep trade flowing has been limited and has not prevented many countries from imposing new trade restrictions.

Digital Policy Economy & Business

In the News

Jun 26, 2020

Fireside Chat with Dr. David Bray and Lucy Turnbull, AO

By Atlantic Council

Dr. David Bray, Director of the GeoTech Center, recently joined Lucy Turnbull, AO, former Lord Mayor of Sydney Australia and GeoTech Fellow, on an episode of the Public Sector Network fireside chat series. These two GeoTech experts discussed the ways in which technology and data will shape societies around the world in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, both leaders commented on how previous pandemics such as the 1918 Spanish Flu triggered waves of change throughout global society, in part brought to fruition by evolving technologies. In the same way, we must anticipate a similar period of turbulence in the coming years, considering what pivot point of history that COVID might form.

Australia Civil Society

Event Recap

Jun 25, 2020

Can technology help build a shock-resistant planet?

By Henry Westerman

On June 17, 2020, Columbia University’s Earth Institute gathered a panel to discuss ideas for building a shock-resistant planet as part of the Sustain What series.

Digital Policy Internet of Things

In the News

Jun 24, 2020

Deputy Director Julia Friedlander in “Digital Currencies: The Future of Money?” with the Belfer Economic Diplomacy Initiative

By Julia Friedlander

Read the full article here.

Digital Policy

Experts

Events