Business and civil society representatives from the Business 20 Engagement Group (B20) presented recommendations to the G20 Troika on emerging technologies and digital inclusion, highlighting the need for international cooperation, cybersecurity and the responsible use of AI to tackle global challenges such as climate change and social inclusion.
Advocating the potential of new technologies to accelerate social change, representatives of companies and civil society organizations that are part of the B20 (Business 20) submitted to India, Brasil and South Africa, the G20 Troika, a document with recommendations on digital inclusion, harmonization of cybersecurity standards and data protection, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence, In Maceió, capital of the Brazilian state of Alagoas. The action took place on Monday, September 9, during an event promoted by the engagement group alongside the final technical meeting of the Digital Economy working group of the forum.
According to Fernando de Rizzo, chair of the B20 Digital Transformation Task Force, the recommendations highlight the need to expand infrastructure and promote the inclusion of micro and small businesses in the digital environment, with the mechanisms for digital transformation at the center of discussions on sustainable progress and global economic growth.
"Our recommendations are focused on digital transformation as a catalyst for inclusive progress. AI has the potential to improve people's lives, increase efficiency, reduce bottlenecks, generate opportunities, and create new businesses that help us face the consequences of climate change," said de Rizzo. He advocates expanding cooperation between the public and private sectors and between different countries regarding cybersecurity and the flow of data to accelerate emerging technologies through investments in research and development.
Virgílio Almeida, professor at UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais), researcher and coordinator for Artificial Intelligence at S20 (Science 20) who contributed to the preparation of the police papper, highlighted that the process was challenging and reveals "a good example of what we can do when we collaborate and share our concerns and expectations".
"We work on all aspects of climate change and pandemics. We propose that countries share scientific data to address global climate challenges; climate change and energy conditions, which are also important, as well as enhancing the advantages of artificial intelligence in all areas such as health, economic justice, the bioeconomy, and the energy transition," stated Almeida.
G20 Dialogues and Social Engagement Groups
The occasion also provided an opportunity to debate the role of the engagement groups in the success of Brasil's priorities at the G20, with regard to the promotion of policies to regulate artificial intelligence; digital government; universal and meaningful inclusion and connectivity.
João Brant, Secretary of Digital Policies of the Secretariat for Social Communication of the Presidency of the Republic (Secom/PR), also emphasized the importance of information integrity in the global digital scenario. "We are closely monitoring the issue of information integrity, which for the first time is included on the G20 agenda. For us, this topic is clearly connected to the challenges we face. Confidence in the digital economy really depends on the integrity of information, which is also related to economic stability," said Brant.
Renata Vicentini Mielli, coordinator of the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee and special advisor to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), highlighted the importance of innovation and digital transformation in the Brazilian public sector. "We are committed to broadening the discussion, in line with the debate on the free digital community, which emerged during the Italian presidency of the G20 and is strongly connected to our priorities on the national agenda," explained Roncaratti, adding that the opportunity of the Brasil's presidency in the forum has been productive to advance in order to advance the main debates and obtain the best possible results.
The urgency of international cooperation for effective regulation of the protection of citizens' digital data was emphasized by Ailana Linhares, from the National Data Protection Authority (ANPD). Linhares believes that innovations need to be aligned with development, respect and promotion of rights. "Ensuring the integrity of information and supporting the responsible use of artificial intelligence reflects the openness to listen to different sectors of society, as we seek to protect fundamental rights. As we move forward, we must ensure that our innovations are not only cutting-edge, but also based on integrity and respect for human rights," she stated.
For Kamila Camilo, executive director of the Oyá Institute and representative of the W20 engagement group (Women 20), it is essential that artificial intelligence is developed in an inclusive way and that it does not deepen inequalities between men and women, as well as historically marginalized communities. She also stressed the potential of technology to bring solutions to global challenges related to climate change and sustainability.
"AI is not only a driver for economic growth, but a powerful tool for dealing with global challenges such as climate change and environmental sustainability. Achieving these goals requires inclusive AI technologies that respect the needs and perceptions of all people, especially women and girls," Camilo said.
Data discussions in the G20
Nathan Paschoalini, a researcher at Data Privacy Brasil and representative of T20 (Think Tanks), stated that the engagement groups are moving towards the creation of Data 20 to deepen discussions on data management by the member countries of the forum. The proposal is for it to function as a multisectoral forum within T20, bringing together the Sherpa Tracks and engagement groups such as B20, W20, and C20 (Civil 20).
According to Paschoalini, the D20 could serve as a platform to identify which data are strategic to generate shared value, form the basis of public digital infrastructure and guide the development of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. The researcher highlighted potential areas of collaboration between the trails, including best practices in data governance for climate change, transparency and accountability, as well as financial inclusion, citing Brasil's experience with payments via PIX as an example.
