This workshop will bring together policymakers and regulators to explore how the EU and GCC are reshaping digital governance and innovation ecosystems. It is funded by the European Union through the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments.
The rapid development of digital technologies has brought many benefits, including improved communication, access to public services (health and education) and increased opportunities for public participation. However, these developments also challenge regulatory frameworks, governance, and practices in many countries due to their potential misuse for spreading disinformation and hate speech, violations and abuses of the right to privacy, or mass surveillance. Consequently, digital technologies can contribute to enabling discrimination and structural inequalities.
Public authorities often face challenges in adapting to the trend of rapidly spreading new technologies and the complexity with which such technologies, in particular the use of Artificial Intelligence, challenge the established ways of work. At the same time, digital technologies create new dilemmas regarding striking the right balance between protecting digital rights and other legitimate interests like the fight against crime or threats to national security.
Sustainability and inclusivity of digital technologies and their resilience, as well as a robust protection of digital rights, are enablers for thriving economies and prosperous societies. Without confidence in a stable, safe and secure online environment, businesses face costs resulting from the lack of predictability in the digital space and suffer potential loss due to the lack of trust from consumers and clients. Together, these processes may deny opportunities that trustworthy and collaborative relations between the government, businesses and individuals might deliver for the overall benefit of the country. In addition, countries without adequate regulatory frameworks and institutions to ensure the protection of digital rights also face reputational risks at the international stage.
This workshop explores how the EU and GCC are reshaping digital governance and innovation ecosystems, as well as strategic cooperation between the two regions. It brings together policymakers and regulators to compare current initiatives in the field of digital identity, submarine cable connectivity, digital platforms and AI governance, as well as cross-regional and multilateral cooperation. Ultimately, this meeting will help identify concrete opportunities for cooperation between the EU and the GCC countries.
The event is by invitation only.
This event is part of the Global initiative on the future of the internet, a project funded by the European Union under the service contract no. NDICI/2023/447-807.