WDTA Shares Cutting-edge Perspectives on Digital Technology at UNCTAD eWeek

2023-12-09 01:29:02

The World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA) was invited to participate in eWeek, organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The event took place from December 4 to 8, 2023, at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG) in Geneva, Switzerland, gathering experts from the International Trade Centre (ITC) and various fields to explore pathways towards global economic development through more inclusive digital transformation.

Rebeca Grynspan, UNCTAD Secretary-General, and eWeek chairperson, emphasized in her opening remarks that the theme of the conference was Shaping the Future of the Digital Economy, calling for urgent action. “Time is of the essence,” said Ms. Grynspan. “Nations at the forefront of development are being left behind. Issues such as data privacy, ethics in artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity are not only technical challenges but also societal ones,” she added. “Innovation is crucial, but so is regulation.” The conference aimed to discuss the impact of AI development and how global governance could keep pace to ensure fairness and accountability.

At the eWeek conference, Peter Major, the founder and honorary chairman of the World Digital Technology Academy (WDTA), specifically highlighted the significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data governance in driving sustainable development and called for global joint action across dimensions such as technology governance, social ethics, and technical norms. He advocated for international cooperation to establish ethical standards and technical regulations in the AI field and supported the creation of a unified global framework for data use and privacy protection to enable safe data sharing and innovative applications.

In thematic discussions on the role of digital technology in supporting the growth of the digital economy, UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan, WDTA founder and honorary chairman Peter Major, and co-founder and executive chairman Yale Li, among other industry leaders, engaged in in-depth exchanges. Peter Major introduced two innovative programs from WDTA aimed at promoting a safer and more inclusive digital future: the AI STR program and the DigiBridge initiative. He noted that the AI STR program is a comprehensive framework designed to ensure the safety, trustworthiness, and responsibility of AI systems. Meanwhile, the Digital Talent Development Program (DigiBridge) is a targeted initiative for college students and tech professionals, focusing on addressing the talent shortage in developing countries and fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within the digital field.

WDTA looks forward to continuing dialogue and cooperation with global partners. As digital technology continues to reshape the business landscape, WDTA is committed to leading global digital technology innovation, ensuring digital technology benefits all of humanity, leaving no one behind, while addressing global challenges and promoting the sustainable development of the digital economy.