ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DIGITALISATION Internet governance in the digital world
Rapid digitalisation, propelled by advances in artificial intelligence, has reshaped the global economy and society – but it has also brought a host of challenges that the G7 is well poised to help address
T oday, the internet connects more than 5.3 billion people and is a shared resource on which society depends. It was created on the premise that free and broad access to information supports the greater good. The complexity and scale of the internet, and its ever-increasing number of users, demand that it be governed transparently and through a globally inclusive process. Recent rapid digitalisation, propelled by advances in artificial intelligence, has reshaped the global economy and society. While offering benefits such as enhanced connectivity, improved business efficiency and greater access to information, this transformation has also brought a host of challenges, including cybersecurity threats, privacy concerns and the widening of the digital divide. These developments necessitate a robust, globally representative governance framework. One example of its complexity and its role in network coordination is the Domain Name System, which
enables people to navigate the internet. Each device on the internet uses an internet protocol address, which is difficult to remember because it is a long series of numbers, or numbers and letters. These ‘unique identifiers’ are aligned with the protocol parameters that ensure networks can communicate with each other. The DNS helps users navigate the internet by translating the numbers into memorable names. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, a non-profit, public benefit organisation, is specifically responsible for overseeing the global DNS infrastructure. It ensures the stable and secure operation of the internet’s unique identifiers systems and coordinates the allocation and assignment of names in the root zone of the DNS through its Internet Assigned Numbers Authority functions. ICANN is accountable to stakeholders worldwide and works with technical partners in the internet ecosystem
By Sally Costerton, interim president and chief executive officer, ICANN
96
G7 ITALY: THE APULIA SUMMIT — 2024
globalgovernanceproject.org
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease