In 2025, a myriad of processes and initiatives at the intersection of sustainable development and Internet governance will continue to be implemented. In this context, defining and defending the importance of a multistakeholder model to Internet governance is critical. The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) process is a key internet governance process and has been instrumental in forging connections between digital technologies and development across contexts.
This critical role must continue in the future. To do this, the WSIS Forum must build on, support, and integrate new and existing forums and processes. This includes affirming the renewal of the mandate of the IGF and integrating the implementation of the Global Digital Compact into the WSIS ecosystem. It must also uphold multistakeholder principles and facilitate an inclusive process. As we approach the 2025 WSIS+20 review, there is a critical need to raise awareness of the WSIS+20 process and articulate a vision for how the Forum can promote a multistakeholder approach to internet governance and support human rights, development, and achievement of the SDGs.
This multistakeholder roundtable discussion will bring together policymakers, the technical community, civil society, and academia to explore how stakeholders can leverage the WSIS Forum to advance a commitment to the open, global, and interoperable Internet and the SDGs. In particular, the session will explore: 1. How can the WSIS+20 process be leveraged to achieve the SDGs and promote human rights, particularly across African countries? Are there past examples of WSIS implementation to learn from? 2. How can the WSIS+20 facilitate an inclusive and multistakeholder process? How have governments integrated stakeholders into WSIS+20 preparations thus far? Are there best practices, including the São Paulo Multistakeholder Guidelines for multistakeholder consensus-building and decision-making, that should be integrated? 3. In practice, how should the WSIS+20 process integrate other initiatives, such as affirming the renewal of the IGF mandate and integrating the implementation of the Global Digital Compact?
(AI) has made a grand entrance, not just as a guest but as a potential co-judge in trial settings. The integration of AI in the legal system, while on the surface technologically impressive, raises significant concerns about the infringement of a defendant's fundamental rights, particularly the right to a fair trial. The biases embedded in AI algorithms can potentially violate several cornerstone principles of justice.
the landmark case of State v. Loomis (2016) in Wisconsin. Eric Loomis was sentenced to six years in prison, partly based on a risk assessment provided by an AI tool called COMPAS (Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions). Loomis argued that the use of COMPAS violated his rights, as he was unable to challenge the scientific validity and potential biases of the tool. if an AI tool used for evidence analysis is fed historical data that contains racial biases, the AI is likely to perpetuate these biases. A study demonstrated this with risk assessment tools used in criminal sentencing, showing that these tools can (and tend to) inherit and amplify racial biases present in the historical arrest data.
There are many real-life instances where biased AI has led to questionable trial outcomes. In the case of "People v. Bridges" in Michigan (2019), Robert Bridges was wrongfully arrested based on a flawed facial recognition match. The software erroneously identified Bridges as a shoplifting suspect, despite significant physical differences. His case highlights the dangers of relying on AI without enough adequate safeguards in place.
The main objective of the session is to discuss the potential concerns from the AI-induced biases and their not-so-subtle implications for a defendant's right to a fair trial, and reach a essential principles and safeguards that should be adopted and taking into account when using AI in Courts and to how guarantee and protect the right to justice and fair trial. The main goal of the session to reach out a number of recommendations, guiding principles and safeguards of fair trial when using AI system in the courts. Exchange the experience with audience is essential to reach out the concrete principles. According the discussion the organizer will form a working group to deep dive in the topic and discuss the topic in details. The organizer with the participants who will interest in the topic will work together to develop a policy paper in national and regional level.
