Submission to IGF 2025 Call for Thematic Inputs
Below are CIS's inputs submitted in response to the IGF 2025 Call for Thematic Inputs. They will inform the MAG’s discussions and assist them in determining the thematic priorities of the IGF 2025 programme.
On AI governance, AI risks and AI and data:
In the past many years, there has been rapid advances in the use of AI, most recently with the use of generative AI by end users and citizens. While questions of ethical use of AI, need for fairness, accountability and transparency are not new, the very rapid scale deployment of AI across different fields and also the easy use of AI across different users, have raised questions of exacerbated harms, infringement of copyright among others and a lot of focus currently is on developing governance for AI. Somewhere, there has been an acceptance of inevitability and almost omnipresence of AI across different contexts which has furthered deliberations around harnessing AI for good. We ask that while “AI for good” as an issue is being mainstreamed, it is most critical that there are avenues to discuss and understand areas where AI should not be used (because of the outsized harms as compared to its benefits) or can be used through limited use of resources (given the wide ranging environmental impacts associated with AI and the resource intensive areas of computational power and data centers) and mechanisms to actualize that. This means that not only do we discuss AI governance in the context of where it is already deployed but also discuss conditions in which it should not be deployed.
There also needs to be greater and more specific regional conversations around data use for AI, especially for developing predictive AI systems, in sensitive settings such as healthcare and financial services. The challenges of using different data for different geographical settings have been well documented (consider for example training data from global north to develop and deploy AI diagnostics for a country in global south). There needs to be more specific conversations and transparency around data sources that are being used and how they can be both ethically sourced but also made contextually relevant. IGF can support these conversations by inviting specific inputs from the multi-stakeholder community on these specific issues.
On digital identity:
There is growing interest in digital public infrastructure and its use for public service delivery and has potential to offer benefits and meaningful governance, if done well, as certain examples may suggest. However, the implementation of digital ID systems for example, particularly when they are the sole means of identification, raises critical questions. Such systems must have robust legislative backing, including privacy and data protection frameworks, if not regulations, along with sufficient legislative and judicial oversight to ensure accountability. Concerns about mission creep—where systems initially introduced for specific purposes gradually expand to other uses without adequate scrutiny—highlight the need for clearly defined objectives and legal safeguards. These systems should proactively assess and mitigate risks and harms before implementation. Furthermore, given that many of these systems rely heavily on private companies with limited oversight, it is crucial to ensure meaningful community participation and accountability throughout the entire process to prioritize public interest over private gains. As we think about DPIs, we urge that its applicability, necessary infrastructural availability, assessment of risks are adequately considered and detailed through the themes and sessions at IGF.
On data governance and youth engagement:
Personal data is being captured by different actors in an unprecedented manner, and at times without any legislative backing or grievance redressal mechanism. With the advent of generative AI- there are also concerns regarding the extent to which data which is publicly available is being used and for what purposes. These concerns are exacerbated when children’s data is being used for generative AI purposes; in most cases without the knowledge or consent of the children. In an increasingly digitised world, how should children navigate the digital world; what is the appropriate age for children to access the internet and should there be age-gating, and if yes, how should that be implemented? What are the mechanisms to determine parental verification? As we have more and more young people online, it will be essential to define and develop frameworks for children’s use and experience of the internet, including having young people participate in these discussions.
In the past many years, there has been rapid advances in the use of AI, most recently with the use of generative AI by end users and citizens. While questions of ethical use of AI, need for fairness, accountability and transparency are not new, the very rapid scale deployment of AI across different fields and also the easy use of AI across different users, have raised questions of exacerbated harms, infringement of copyright among others and a lot of focus currently is on developing governance for AI. Somewhere, there has been an acceptance of inevitability and almost omnipresence of AI across different contexts which has furthered deliberations around harnessing AI for good. We ask that while “AI for good” as an issue is being mainstreamed, it is most critical that there are avenues to discuss and understand areas where AI should not be used (because of the outsized harms as compared to its benefits) or can be used through limited use of resources (given the wide ranging environmental impacts associated with AI and the resource intensive areas of computational power and data centers) and mechanisms to actualize that. This means that not only do we discuss AI governance in the context of where it is already deployed but also discuss conditions in which it should not be deployed.
There also needs to be greater and more specific regional conversations around data use for AI, especially for developing predictive AI systems, in sensitive settings such as healthcare and financial services. The challenges of using different data for different geographical settings have been well documented (consider for example training data from global north to develop and deploy AI diagnostics for a country in global south). There needs to be more specific conversations and transparency around data sources that are being used and how they can be both ethically sourced but also made contextually relevant. IGF can support these conversations by inviting specific inputs from the multi-stakeholder community on these specific issues.
On digital identity:
There is growing interest in digital public infrastructure and its use for public service delivery and has potential to offer benefits and meaningful governance, if done well, as certain examples may suggest. However, the implementation of digital ID systems for example, particularly when they are the sole means of identification, raises critical questions. Such systems must have robust legislative backing, including privacy and data protection frameworks, if not regulations, along with sufficient legislative and judicial oversight to ensure accountability. Concerns about mission creep—where systems initially introduced for specific purposes gradually expand to other uses without adequate scrutiny—highlight the need for clearly defined objectives and legal safeguards. These systems should proactively assess and mitigate risks and harms before implementation. Furthermore, given that many of these systems rely heavily on private companies with limited oversight, it is crucial to ensure meaningful community participation and accountability throughout the entire process to prioritize public interest over private gains. As we think about DPIs, we urge that its applicability, necessary infrastructural availability, assessment of risks are adequately considered and detailed through the themes and sessions at IGF.
On data governance and youth engagement:
Personal data is being captured by different actors in an unprecedented manner, and at times without any legislative backing or grievance redressal mechanism. With the advent of generative AI- there are also concerns regarding the extent to which data which is publicly available is being used and for what purposes. These concerns are exacerbated when children’s data is being used for generative AI purposes; in most cases without the knowledge or consent of the children. In an increasingly digitised world, how should children navigate the digital world; what is the appropriate age for children to access the internet and should there be age-gating, and if yes, how should that be implemented? What are the mechanisms to determine parental verification? As we have more and more young people online, it will be essential to define and develop frameworks for children’s use and experience of the internet, including having young people participate in these discussions.
We request some steps to be taken at the IGF annual meeting and during its intersessional work:
-Reduce duplication of processes and efforts when it comes to implementation of GDC and continue to look at existing arenas like the WSIS+20 and IGF. Greater coordination and collaboration among various UN bodies.
-Robust support for civil society participation at the IGF and other internet governance processes, especially so from Global South.
-Creation of well resourced working groups that look through the GDC implementation work where relevant.
-Reduce duplication of processes and efforts when it comes to implementation of GDC and continue to look at existing arenas like the WSIS+20 and IGF. Greater coordination and collaboration among various UN bodies.
-Robust support for civil society participation at the IGF and other internet governance processes, especially so from Global South.
-Creation of well resourced working groups that look through the GDC implementation work where relevant.
Given
the diverse set of stakeholders and the wide ranging nature topics
discussed, it is understandable that the IGF covers a lot of ground. It
would be beneficial if there might be deeper reflections on fewer issues
if possible, so that there is greater depth in conversations as opposed
to a much wider coverage. We understand that this might be difficult
given what IGF sets out to do, but a more focused approach might help
stakeholders have a better understanding of priorities and areas of
focus. It will also be very helpful if all sessions have space for
Q&A, even if it is for 10 minutes. It allows for listeners to
reflect and also ask questions, where possible.
For all inputs, please visit: https://intgovforum.org/en/igf-2025-proposed-issues (CIS's inputs are under ID322)
Filed under:
Internet Governance Forum,
Internet Governance
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