HANDBOOK ON

GLOBAL DIGITAL TENDENCIES

Moscow 2022
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION....................................................2

2. UNESCO & ITU ON AI...........................................3

3. UN: LACK OF GLOBAL DIGITAL COOPERATION

AND INEQUALITY...................................................7

4. INTERNET GOVERNANCE.......................................8

5. HUMAN RIGHTS....................................................13

6. CYBERSECURITY AND DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY ....14

7. CONCLUSION.......................................................16

8. SOURCES...............................................................17

1
 INTRODUCTION

This research paper is a brief handbook developed by the

students of the HSE University and dedicated to the study of
global digital tendencies. In particular it outlines the latest
headlines and trends in the sphere of digital technologies
development and international cooperation.

This handbook provides an analysis of the overall narrative and an

array of sources related to the activities of international
organisations, such as the United Nations, International
Telecommunication Union and UNESCO.

The aim of the work is to summarise and define the selected

tendencies of global digital development.

The methodological basis of the study is a systematic approach,

the main method being a theoretical analysis of the scientific
literature and regulatory documents on the subject of the study.
However, a substantial amount of input may also have value
judgments and evaluations therefore this work should not be
regarded as a scientific paper, rather a technical manual and a
commentary.

Neither HSE university, nor University of London take institutional

positions on public policy issues: the views represented herein are
the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of either
institution, its staff, or its trustees.

2
 UNESCO & ITU ON AI

A significant number of digital trends is being defined in the first

instance by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization, also widely known as UNESCO.

One of the prime obstacles UNESCO is trying to tackle with

regard to the digital agenda is the disproportionate access to
information space and lack of global connectivity in a row of
developing countries, which stands in a way of global sustainable
development. Therefore, words and actions of the UNESCO
concerning the ICT are above all aimed at narrowing down the so-
called digital divide between the developed and developing parts
of the world.

The key focus of UNESCO in attaining the above-mentioned goal

is creating meaningful and human-centric approaches to the
emerging technologies in particular technologies of artificial
intelligence (AI). As it is believed by many in the scientific
community that artificial intelligence has the impetus for creating
opportunities and as well as dangers for humanity. And UNESCO
agrees with the principle that AI cannot remain a "no law zone" and
that there is an urgent need for regulation and development of AI
ethics. [1]

AI actors should respect the rule of law, human rights and

democratic values, throughout the AI system lifecycle. These
include freedom, dignity and autonomy, privacy and data
protection, non-discrimination and equality,diversity, fairness,
social justice, and internationally recognized labor rights. [2]

[1] UNESCO.(2021).Recommendation on the ethics of artificial intelligence. Retrieved from

https://en.unesco.org/artificial-intelligence/ethics
[2] UNESCO.(2020).Working document: Toward a draft text of a recommendation on the ethic of artificial
intelligence. Retrieved from https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000373199

3
 UNESCO & ITU ON AI

For example one the primary tasks assigned to AI is combating

climate change by means of improving data analysis for habitat
restoration and carbon emissions. Nevertheless, there are certain
issues that may arise as an effect of careless implementation of AI
technologies. As such, they pose a risk of creating more cross-
country inequalities, since most of these technologies come from
Europe and North America, hence making developing countries
more reliant on technological import.

AI has great potential to positively influence the development of

education. That said, AI technology must be used in a way that
does not lead to a greater technological divide within and between
countries. The goal is to provide equal access to knowledge.[1].
The development of AI technologies is also assessed to enhance
the processes of decision-making in judicial systems worldwide, as
well as in matters concerning international law. UNESCO is working
on the issue of reconciliation of law-making, justice and state-of-
the-art digital technologies.[2]

Concerning this matter there is a reason to argue that if AI is to

take a substantial part in automating judicial and legal procedures
we may witness possible negative consequences, such as the
breach of privacy of personal data, freedom of expression, or
«biased decisions» made by algorithms which are still far from
total accuracy. That is the reason why AI ethics must be
developed and adhered to, so that technological advances do not
violate human rights and are compatible with internationally
agreed human rights and standards being also aligned to a human-
centred vision.[3]

[1] UNESCO.(2021).Artificial intelligence in education, compendium of promising initiatives: Mobile Learning Week
2019. Retrieved from https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000370307
[2] UNESCO.(2021).AI and the Rule of Law: Capacity Building for Judicial Systems. Retrieved from
https://en.unesco.org/artificial-intelligence/mooc-judges
[3] UNESCO.(2019).Preliminary study on the technical and legal aspects relating to the desirability of a standard-
setting instrument on the ethics of artificial intelligence. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000367422

4
 UNESCO & ITU ON AI

International Telecommunication Union, operating as a specialised

UN agency and being the oldest and most authoritative
international organisation, deals primarily with matters of ensuring
global connectivity and designing universal standards in ICT. The
range of topics discussed within ITU in recent years also includes
the use and development of AI technologies to achieve the
Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, slowing down expanding
rift, known as the digital divide and resisting such current issues as
Covid 19 pandemic.

There are a series of ITU initiatives, including in collaboration with

other UN agencies. Firstly the AI for Health project is being
developed in partnership with WHO, aiming to study and
implement AI for better diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

This is an especially important area of AI R&D in connection to the

COVID-19 pandemic. And even outside of the Covid pandemic
the related experience, knowledge and technologies are proposed
to serve humanity further in the future. Achieving a global health
security through digitalisation is believed to be the first step in a
way of curing such deadly diseases as cancer, HIV, AIDS, etc[1].

Secondly, there a propositions to use AI in order to improve road

safety and better off logistics. AI is proposed to enhance the
current technologies of autonomous driving (i.e. not requiring the
presence of human drivers. Such technologies are currently
receiving a substantial amount of recognition and attention as the
latest product lines of car brands are being supplied with systems
of extensive driving assistance to the point of fully automated
driving.
[1] ITU.(2021). 6th World Telecommunications/ICT Policy Forum charts course for an equitable and
inclusive digital future. Retrieved from https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2021-12-18-WTPF-
Outcome.aspx
5
 UNESCO & ITU ON AI

The topic of ethics concerning the AI and especially the

implementation of automated vehicles (AVs) is also at the heart of
the ITU discourse on AI. For example experts outline numerous
problems concerning the AVs, such as the so-called 'trolley
problem' (Foot, 1967) or the newly proposed 'Molly problem'. The
primary idea is to support a broader discussion on the ethics of
artificial intelligence with regard to fundamental ethical and legal
principles laid down in International Treaties and Charters of
Fundamental Human Rights.[1]

Another major initiative supported be the ITU that is worth

mentioning is digital platform AI for Good. The goal of this
platform is to identify practical applications of AI to advance the
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and scale those
solutions for global impact. What is more it is organised by ITU in
partnership with 40 UN Sister Agencies.

Back in 2021 stakeholders within this platform produced a United

Nations Activities on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Report, which
highlighted over 200 cases and AI projects run by the UN system,
covering all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ranging
from smart agriculture and food systems to transportation, financial
services, healthcare and AI solutions to combat COVID-19.

Main aim of the report is underpin the further

collaboration and build common understanding
around emerging AI technologies and solutions
for the SDGs. For an analysis on key tracks and AI
trends, reflected in the report, you can access
the report through the QR-code.
[1] ITU-T Technical Report. (2021). Automated driving safety data protocol – Ethical and legal
considerations of continual monitoring. Retrieved from https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-t/opb/fg/T-FG-
AI4AD-2021-02-PDF-E.pdf
6
 UN: LACK OF GLOBAL DIGITAL COOPERATION AND
INEQUALITY

The analysis in the following section of this paper was largely

based upon the roadmap of the UN Secretary General on digital
development, which sets out eight main areas that should be of
primary focus in the future. One of the first ones among them is
also the fastest to implement is achieving universal connectivity by
2030 (Roadmap for Digital Cooperation (A/74/821), 2020).

ROADMAP TEXT ANALYSIS [1]

Socicultural
24.3%

Economic Development
1.5% 37.2%

Cybersecurity
6.9%

Human Rights
7.3%

Legal & regulatory Technology & infrastructure

7.4% 15.4%

[1] Jovan Kurbalija.(2020).Digital Roadmap: The realistic acceleration of digital cooperation. Retrieved from
https://www.diplomacy.edu/blog/digital-roadmap-realistic-acceleration-digital-cooperation/
7
 UN: LACK OF GLOBAL DIGITAL COOPERATION AND
INEQUALITY

In order to achieve the aforementioned goals in respected areas,

it can be helpful not only to support technological advancement,
but also to refer to the bureaucratic procedures of the ITU. The
details on some of measures proposed by ITU were outlined in the
previous section of the handbook.

The ITU and the UN have always worked closely together,

resulting in two significant ITU resolutions, the 191st calling for
close cooperation and making the same request to the UN
Secretary General (Rev. Dubai, 2018). While the 71st adopted a
strategic development plan for 2020-2023 (Rev. Dubai, 2018)
where Inclusiveness, in essence equal access to digital resources
for all countries, is the second goal.

However, there is yet another aim that ITU is currently pursuing,

namely, to create a more equitable world by achieving equality in
economic access for electronics. It is becoming an issue of
growing concern due to the fact that digitalisation is on the path
of slowing down as a lot of communities around the globe cannot
afford new emerging technologies and lack access to them
(Roadmap for Digital Cooperation (A/74/821), 2020).

Therefore it is this goal that is at the top of the ITU's list for the
next two years (ITU Strategic plan 2020-2023, 2018). It should be
noted here that these resolutions and plans, useful for application,
unfortunately do not have a clear implementation plan. As an
example, the ITU document, which is similar in purpose, called on
countries around the world to develop international IT
cooperation.[1]
[1] ITU.(2017).Service order N. 16/13 Inter-sectoral Coordination Task Force

8
 UN: LACK OF GLOBAL DIGITAL COOPERATION AND
INEQUALITY

The plan contained clear steps for each stage of laying down a
basis for global IT cooperation, but it took 7 years of discussion
before it was finally adopted. And it is likely to take even longer to
implement.

Even as technology becomes more accessible and Internet access

seems to become more widespread, there still remains a “digital
divide”, i.e. a significant disparity between countries in access to
the Internet. Wealthy and educated countries and people are still
more likely than others to have good access to digital resources.
This is most clearly seen in the table below.[1]

INDICATOR 2007 2010 2014 2017

WORLD POPULATION
6,6 6,9 7,2 7,3
(IN BILLIONS)

FIXED INTERNET,
5 8 10 13
PER 100 PEOPLE

DEVELOPING COUNTRIES,
2 4 6 9
PER 100 PEOPLE

DEVELOPED COUNTRIES,
18 24 27 31
PER 100 PEOPLE

MOBILE INTERNET,
4 11 32 56,4
PER 100 PEOPLE

DEVELOPING COUNTRIES,
1 4 21 48,2
PER 100 PEOPLE

DEVELOPED COUNTRIES,
19 43 84 91,7
PER 100 PEOPLE

[1] ITU.(2017)ICT Facts and figures. Retrieved from https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-

D/Statistics/Pages/facts/default.aspx
9
 UN: LACK OF GLOBAL DIGITAL COOPERATION AND
INEQUALITY

Developed countries have twice as many households connected to

the Internet as developing countries. Thus, while there are 31
fixed Internet connections per 100 people in developed countries,
there are nine in developing countries, and only one in the least
developed countries. For example only 15 per cent of households
in least developed countries have access to the Internet from
home; in those countries, Internet access is only available at work
or in public places.

The digital divide has particularly far-reaching consequences when

it comes to education. For children from low-income school
districts, inadequate access to technology can prevent them from
learning the technical skills that are critical to success in today's
economy.It is this agenda that has become one of the most
significant points in future projects. Equal access to education
should be one of the economic development goals of the future,
and this can be achieved by investing in digital technologies
(UNESCO Science Report: towards 2030, 2015). In this way,
UNESCO supports the Sustainable Development Goals, which in
many points overlap with the digital development goals.

To address the problem of poverty, the UN

encourages countries to coordinate their efforts
considering global integration through
digitalisation as one of the main priorities for the
further development of humanity to meet future
challenges.[1]

[1] UN.(2020).Report of the UN Economist Network for the 75th Anniversary. Retrieved from
https://www.un.org/development/desa/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/20-124-
UNEN-75Report-Full-EN-REVISED.pdf
10
 UN: LACK OF GLOBAL DIGITAL COOPERATION AND
INEQUALITY

However, it is worth noting that the digitalisation goals are directly

linked to sustainable development issues, such as combating
inequalities and partnerships for future development (The 17
Sustainable Development Goals, 2015). By 2021, the situation
worldwide has unfortunately not improved significantly. The Gini
index has fallen in 38 of the 84 countries that reported to the UN,
but international support, cooperation and investment have
declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic (Sustainable
Development Goals Report, 2020).

Should we worry about the success of future development if

countries do not meet UN expectations? Is it possible to make
positive predictions?

And it is not only a matter of declared goals; of course, the UN

Secretary General's roadmap notes that global cooperation should
be supported, for example in the field of artificial intelligence
(Roadmap for Digital Cooperation (A/74/821), 2020), but a more
important point is the creation of an effective digital cooperation
architecture (Roadmap for Digital Cooperation (A/74/821),
2020).

The UN is not only aiming for declared values, but also strives to
create a basis for further development through closer cooperation.
For instance it was announced by the Secretary General that in
2023 a global digital compact is to be signed on the Summit of the
Future. This compact similar to the UN global compact will set
global goals for sustainable digital development. The UN is also
quite ardent in its pursuit of facilitating discussion about the
problems in the ICT sphere by designing such formats as the UN
Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

11
 INTERNET GOVERNANCE

Internet governance has long been a concern of the entire world

community, from states and large transnational corporations to
ordinary users of the Internet. This issue was first put on the
agenda at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS),
which took place in two phases: in Geneva in 2003 and later in
Tunis in 2005. The final document, adopted in Tunisia ("Agenda
for the Information Society"), contained the idea of creating the
Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a new model for international
discussion of Internet governance.

It now serves as a platform to discuss Internet governance issues

and create common rules, norms, decision-making procedures and
legal regulations. According to the aforementioned document, the
IGF was supposed to identify emerging problems, draw the
attention of the relevant authorities and the general public to
these issues, and, if necessary, make policy recommendations.

However, the issue at stake that is often highlighted is that IGF was
inherently designed in such a way so not to have any real authority
and weight in decision-making. Currently IGF annually brings
together all key stakeholders to discuss Internet governance
issues. Stakeholders form business, government, technical and
scientific community can communicate there on equal basis,
having open and inclusive dialogue.

However, based on the available information, as well as the recent

introduction of the new Multistakeholder High-level Body (MHLB),
it seems that the role of the "public" sector in IGF will increase and
therefore the influnce of state actors in the activities of the IGF
activities.[1]

[1] IGF.(2021).Briefing update: Multistakeholder High-level Body (MHLB). Retrived from

https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/briefing-update-multistakeholder-high-
level-body-mhlb
12
 HUMAN RIGHTS

Another question of incresing relevance is how digital

technologies and their development affect international society.
The UN is actively working on this topic, noting that it is necessary
to promote transparency, uphold universal human values and
adhere to digital development only within the framework of
existing laws and principles. (UN Secretary-General's strategy on
new technologies, 2018).

The organisation also supports the trend towards digitalisation of

political activities in many countries around the world. It is
convinced that this use of technology makes the electoral process
fairer and more accessible to the majority of its citizens and is a
step into the future (United Nations E-Government Survey, 2020).

Albeit seeming positive effects of digitalisation there is a

mounting belief among experts that amplification of digital
technologies may pose an existential threat to the democratic
systems and human rights if employed by authoritarian regimes.[1]

But what about not only political but also social and economic
human rights? Digitalisation is objectively causing many jobs to
disappear and provoking potential mass "technological"
unemployment among the highly skilled workers."Technological"
unemployment, i.e. unemployment caused by new technologies, is
inevitable because the speed of implementation of digital
technologies in business processes significantly exceeds the
speed of professional retraining of citizens. There is potentially a
digital component in any profession, but not all citizens can fully
integrate it into their current activities.

[1] European Parliament.(2021).Digital technologies as a means of repression and social control. Retrieved
from
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2021/653636/EXPO_STU(2021)653636_EN.pd
f
13
 CYBERSECURITY AND DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY

ICT sphere despite being at the forefront of the global dialogue

and development is also a zone of intense competition and
constant rivalry. International actors do not tend to trust each
other, and much depends of the geopolitical decisions.

Cybersecurity is a critical component of the socio-economic

security of the modern state in the 21st century due to the rise of
cyberspace as the whole self-sufficient dimension of political,
economic, and social life at both national and global levels. Position
of the UN on this issue is plain: cybersecurity cooperation is
absolutely vital because of increasing global connectivity and
interdependence.

The UN calls on to be open to dialogue on the issue and to

respect the rights of all community members. It is no coincidence
that one of the organisation's major objectives is to build trust and
security in the digital environment, including through transparency
(Roadmap for Digital Cooperation (A/74/821) 2020). Thus, the
international organisation seeks to emphasise that
interdependence is not a problem, but a solution to many
challenges that require joint efforts (The Age of Digital
Interdependence Report, 2019).

The ITU works on the matter of security in connection to

digitalisation as well. It has largely supported the development of
the guidelines to designing the National Cybersecurity Strategy in
order to affective manage cyberthreats and ensure the protection
of citizens’ personal data, as well as classified information and key
objects of digital infrastructure.[1]

[1]NCS Guide 2021.(2021)Guide to Developing a National Cybersecurity Strategy. Retrieved from

https://ncsguide.org/the-guide/

14
 CYBERSECURITY AND DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY

Rapid amplification of digital technologies is also considered a

challenge to national security and sovereignty. Mainly due to the
threats of cyberterrorism and the vulnerability of state agencies
and companies servers and/or strategic and critical infrastructure
to cyberattacks.

Any state entity, as a complex system has to adapt to these

technological transformations of the external environment,
accompanied by digital effects and the gradual transition to a
global socio-technical reality, in which the socio-political cannot be
separated from the techno-digital and the virtual is closely
intertwined with the real. Therefore a concept of "Digital
Sovereignty" is set to assure the protection of countries' digital
infrastructure and economy, through the build up of the regulated
"Sovereign Internet".

Nowadays all communications, including political ones, are based

on processes of information exchange, which primarily takes place
on supranational information and communication online platforms.
First and foremost, the global resources of social media (Facebook,
Twitter, Google). Obviously, the owners and beneficiaries of such
global platforms, having control over these resources and the
ability to moderate discussions and manage information flows, are
generally able to manage the information agenda (including with
the use of fake news and deep fake technologies). All these
factors and growing power of the tech-giants present a threat to a
state-centric international order and to the sovereignty of nations.
Hence states tend to accept regulatory frameworks and force
information and communication online platforms to acknowledge
national jurisdictions.

15
 CONCLUSION

All in all, through analysis of international organisations narrative it

is possible to outline the following tendencies:

1. International organisations, such as UN, UNESCO & ITU are all

largely focused on agenda of achieving equal Internet access.
2. UNESCO & ITU are pursuing a human-centric approach in
regard to emerging technologies, in particular AI.
3. Based on current developments and Roadmap for Digital
Cooperation the UN is occupied with the task of designing a
unified system of global digital governance.
4. International organisations tend tp agree that technological
advancements should primarli be view as a tool for
improvement of the quality of life.
5. Within the global digital agenda the UN t is aiming to enhance
global digital cooperation, mainly though its policies, rhetoric
and formats.
6. Concept of digital development is often aligned with the
Sustainable Development Goals.
7. International organisations agree that Digital divide is growing
and becoming an issue of global concern.
8. Amplification of digital technologies is often perceived in a
light that emphasis it as a threat to the Human Rights and
National Security.
9. Mistrust among the international actors and technology
leaders towards each other is evident.

16
 SOURCES

1. United Nations.(2021).The UN Secretary-General's Roadmap

on Digital Cooperation
2. UNESCO.(2021).Recommendation on the ethics of artificial
intelligence. Retrieved from https://en.unesco.org/artificial-
intelligence/ethics
3. UNESCO.(2020).Working document: Toward a draft text of a
recommendation on the ethic of artificial intelligence.
Retrieved from
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000373199
4. UNESCO.(2021).Artificial intelligence in education,
compendium of promising initiatives: Mobile Learning Week
2019. Retrieved from
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000370307
5. UNESCO.(2021).AI and the Rule of Law: Capacity Building for
Judicial Systems. Retrieved from
https://en.unesco.org/artificial-intelligence/mooc-judges
6. UNESCO.(2019).Preliminary study on the technical and legal
aspects relating to the desirability of a standard-setting
instrument on the ethics of artificial intelligence.
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000367422
7. ITU.(2021). 6th World Telecommunications/ICT Policy Forum
charts course for an equitable and inclusive digital future.
Retrieved from
https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2021-12-18-
WTPF-Outcome.aspx
8. ITU-T Technical Report. (2021). Automated driving safety data
protocol – Ethical and legal considerations of continual
monitoring. Retrieved from https://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-
t/opb/fg/T-FG-AI4AD-2021-02-PDF-E.pdf

17
 SOURCES

9. Jovan Kurbalija.(2020).Digital Roadmap: The realistic

acceleration of digital cooperation. Retrieved from
https://www.diplomacy.edu/blog/digital-roadmap-realistic-
acceleration-digital-cooperation/
10. ITU.(2017).Service order N. 16/13 Inter-sectoral Coordination
Task Force
11. ITU.(2017).ICT Facts and figures. Retrieved from
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-
D/Statistics/Pages/facts/default.aspx
12. IGF.(2021).Briefing update: Multistakeholder High-level Body
(MHLB). Retrieved from
https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/briefing-
update-multistakeholder-high-level-body-mhlb
13. European Parliament. (2021). Digital technologies as a means
of repression and social control. Retrieved from
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/202
1/653636/EXPO_STU(2021)653636_EN.pdf
14. NCS Guide 2021.(2021)Guide to Developing a National
Cybersecurity Strategy. Retrieved from
https://ncsguide.org/the-guide/
15. Foot, P. (1967). Theories of ethics.
16. United Nations. (2020). Report of the Secretary General:
Roadmap for Digital Cooperation.
17. International Telecommunication Union. (2018). Strategic
plan for the Union for 2020-2023.
18. Baskaran, A. (2016). UNESCO science report: Towards 2030.
Institutions and Economies, 125-127.
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(2020). Report of the UN Economist Network for the UN 75th
Anniversary: Shaping the Trends of Our Time.

18
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& Woelm, F. (2021). Sustainable development report 2020:
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SDG index and dashboards. Cambridge University Press.
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content/uploads/sites/10/2020/10/20-124-UNEN-75Report-
Full-EN-REVISED.pdf

19