The Promises and Challenges of Global Digital Revolution

The Digital World: Opportunities and Challenges

Digital technologies have revolutionized how we live, work, and learn. They, along with expanded connectivity, not only power economic growth but also facilitate the exercise of human rights and improve access to education, financial, and social services. Digital technologies have created new markets and opportunities and have enabled businesses to reach a vast customer base beyond their country’s borders. New digital tools have energized civic and political engagement, democratized information and knowledge, been used to hold governments and companies accountable, and increased the transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness of public services.

Looking ahead, these technologies can unlock unparalleled opportunities to address some of the most pressing global challenges, including climate change, economic and social inequality, and health crises. By harnessing the power of data analytics, AI, and real-time connectivity, we can create smarter, more sustainable cities, improve agricultural yields using fewer resources, and make healthcare accessible to even the most remote communities. These technologies enable the development of green energy solutions, fostering a transition towards cleaner and less expensive energy. Advances in data collection, modeling, simulation, and analysis will allow scientists to accelerate research and discovery and identify patterns invisible to humans alone, catalyzing rapid and unexpected breakthroughs. By connecting people and information like never before, digital technologies can foster a more inclusive, equitable world where opportunities for prosperity and well-being are abundant for all.

At the same time, significant harms have accompanied the rapid expansion and evolution of digital technologies. The geopolitics of cyberspace are competitive and complex. Malicious state and non-state actors have developed the capabilities and demonstrated the intent to place critical infrastructure, national critical functions, and even individual citizens at risk. Authoritarian states are promoting competing forms of technology governance that use mass surveillance, privacy-invasive data collection practices, and online censorship tools that threaten the open, interoperable, secure, and reliable Internet. Technology provides new vectors and tools for crime, and the dramatic spread of personal information online has expanded the threat environment. The proliferation and misuse of commercial spyware is a threat to national security, targeting U.S. officials abroad; commercial spyware has also been used to, target and intimidate perceived opponents, facilitate efforts to curb dissent, and thus undermine democratic values. Journalists, activists, educators, researchers, women and girls, and marginalized groups are often the victims of unlawful surveillance, online harassment, and abuse. Countries and technology platforms each have a role to play in mitigating algorithmic bias and information manipulation, as well as violent extremist messaging, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and other harmful content.

These challenges are pressing and high stakes. Innovation, partnerships, collaboration, coalition building, information sharing, mutual support, assistance, and the other tools of diplomacy are essential to ensuring that digital technologies defend and advance individual freedom and promote economic prosperity.