The document that will be discussed by G20 digital economy ministers at a meeting this Friday, September 13th also includes statements on artificial intelligence, inclusion, meaningful connectivity, and digital government.
For the first time in the G20's history, the agenda of tackling disinformation and promoting information integrity will be part of the forum's ministers' declaration as a result of the debates of the Digital Economy working group, which held its meeting this week in Maceió, the capital of the Brazilian state of Alagoas. In addition to these topics, the WG also reached a consensus on declarations on digital government, inclusion, meaningful connectivity, and parameters for the development of artificial intelligence. The ministerial meeting takes place this Friday, September 13th.
According to João Brant, Secretary for Digital Policy at the Secretariat for Communication of the Presidency of the Republic (SECOM/PR), the group was able to negotiate a declaration on the issue between the world's largest economies, outlining both their understanding of the problem and possible solutions to tackle it. "It's already a milestone for us to put this problem at the heart of the discussion and to deal with it in a very broad manner," he said.
Brant also explained that the strategies discussed by the technicians from the member countries include media education, platform accountability and transparency, and investments in science and technology research. "This issue has affected the entire world, destabilized economies and has become a priority for the G20," concluded the secretary.
Ambassador Luciano Mazza, coordinator of the WG, pointed out that Brasil's presidency is in a "very good position" to bring the ministers a set of results on important issues regarding the digital agenda, highlighting the intense work carried out throughout the year. "We had very constructive participation from all the countries and we are able to present a positive and substantial set of results that we are very proud of," said Mazza.
Artificial intelligence for everyone
The development of artificial intelligence also featured prominently in the debates at G20 Brasil. Renata Mielli, special advisor to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), evaluated that the technology has been developed by only a few countries, even though its use is global. The expert emphasized that the forum's work sought to find ways for each country to develop its technologies more diversely, reflecting its cultural, social, economic, linguistic, and ethnic-racial traits.
"In the same way, this technology can bring many benefits to humanity, it also potentially brings many risks. Artificial intelligence systems need to be developed in a safe, reliable, ethical, and responsible way so that they don't replicate prejudice and discrimination or perpetuate existing vulnerabilities in our society," said Mielli.
Inclusive digital infrastructure
Luana Roncaratti, deputy secretary at the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services (MGI), pointed out that the G20 debates on digital government focused on building and providing solutions based on the use of digital technologies that favor and facilitate the relationship between people and the state. Roncaratti also stated that the digital identity and data-sharing agendas were also discussed at the forum.
The deputy secretary celebrated that the debates have advanced significantly, contributing to countries being able to promote a "digital government that is accessible, inclusive and, above all, concerned with leaving no one behind."
Meaningful inclusion and connectivity
Daniel Cavalcanti, general coordinator of public policies at the Ministry of Communications, explained that the debates on universal and meaningful connectivity focused on countries making a commitment to foster, through domestic policies, quality internet access, adequate devices, affordable costs, as well as the digital skills necessary for people to be able to explore the technology's potential.
"We have achieved an international agreement and indicators and metrics for meaningful connectivity so that each country can formulate its public policies for those areas where there are problems," said Cavalcanti.
