Data governance for the public good through local solutions to global challenges

Time
Friday, 27th June, 2025 (07:00 UTC) - Friday, 27th June, 2025 (08:00 UTC)
About this Session
As artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies increasingly shape critical decisions in society, robust data governance frameworks are essential to promote fairness, accountability, and ethics. This session will explore how such frameworks can reduce algorithmic bias, ensure responsible decision-making, and clearly establish accountability when AI systems cause unintended consequences. We will examine practical examples of successful governance models, such as the EU's GDPR and Canada's Algorithmic Impact Assessment framework, and discuss their potential for replication. The conversation will also focus on public engagement strategies that foster trust and transparency, addressing the need for governments and companies to empower individuals with greater control over their personal data. As only 15% of countries worldwide have comprehensive personal data protection laws (UNCTAD, 2024), this gap underscores the urgency of developing accessible, understandable mechanisms for data consent. We will further delve into the role of Open Data initiatives in providing unbiased public information and the challenges of tailoring governance processes to local and global contexts. Finally, the session will consider how multistakeholder approaches can ensure governance structures remain agile in the face of technological change, and how debates around digital sovereignty are reshaping the future of data governance worldwide.Through a dialogue and exchange of practices and experiences of different NRIs, this session will focus on ways to govern data responsibly.

The discussion will focus on several policy guiding questions from the ones listed below:

Fairness, Accountability & Ethics in AI and Data Governance

  1. How can data governance frameworks promote fairness, accountability, and ethics in AI systems, particularly in reducing bias and ensuring responsible decision-making?
  2. How do we establish clear lines of accountability within a data governance structure for decisions made or heavily influenced by AI systems, especially when errors or unintended consequences occur?
  3. Are there frameworks that are good practical examples of data governance in AI systems and that deserve to be replicated?

Transparency, Public Engagement & Trust

  1. How can stakeholders be meaningfully engaged in shaping data governance frameworks to foster public trust, openness, and accountability?
  2. What is the responsibility of governments to inform the public about data use and promote awareness of how companies and institutions extract value from personal data?
  3. How can mechanisms be implemented to make it easier for people to understand and manage the permissions they grant for the use of their data?

Open Data & Accessibility

  1. Through open data principles, how do we ensure states provide free and accessible public data that is unbiased?
  2. How can data governance processes be designed to address specific challenges faced by both the Global North and Global South?
  3. What strategies can harmonize data protection policies across sectors while respecting local values, cultural specificities, and fundamental human rights?

Governance Frameworks & Institutional Structures

  1. How can multistakeholder data governance processes be developed and implemented to respond rapidly to new technological challenges?
  2. How have debates on digital and data sovereignty influenced the development of data governance by governments and companies?

Organizers: NRI organizers listed here:

  • Henry Wang, Singapore IGF 
  • Judith Hellerstein, IGF-USA
  • Laurianne-Marie Schippers, Brazil IGF 
  • Levy Syanseke, Zambia Youth IGF
  • Poncelet Ileleji, The Gambia IGF
  • Tiago Martins, Portugal IGF
  • Umut Pajaro Velasquez, Colombia Youth IGF
  • Una Wang, Singapore IGF
  • Vinicius W. O. Santos, Brazil IGF 
  • Shin Yamasaki, Japan IGF 
  • Zeina BOU HARB, Lebanon IGF
  • Yao Amevi A. Sossou, Benin Youth IGF
  • Martha Giraldo, Colombia IGF
  • Agustina Ordonez, Argentina IGF
  • Ahmed Farag, North African IGF
  • Mary Uduma, West African IGF
  • Saba Tiku, Ethiopia Youth IGF
  • Tijani BEN JEMAA, North African IGF

Speakers designated by the NRIs multistakeholder committees will be confirmed by 10 May 2025.

Session Time
Friday, 27th June, 2025 (07:00 UTC) - Friday, 27th June, 2025 (08:00 UTC)