The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital technology across countries and sectors. However, the world is increasingly becoming bifurcated in the digital space. One digital system is free and open, while the other is restricted and dual-use. The bifurcation is even more pronounced in the developing world, where the first-mover advantage has put China in control over entire national internet systems. In April 2021, the G7 Digital and Technology Ministers recognized the need to place the “open, democratic societies at the center of the technology debate.” The development implications of this bifurcation are significant for openness, human rights, and transparency – threatening hard-fought gains over the past several decades. Limiting the trend of digital authoritarianism rests on both policy reform and investments in physical infrastructure, and the U.S. must offer a credible alternative on both fronts.
Much of the policy discussion in Washington has focused on critical standard-setting bodies and processes (especially at the multilateral level), with less attention placed on building a robust digital backbone through targeted U.S. development programming. Specifically, this means addressing some 3.6 billion people without reliable access to the internet, which will require closing an estimated gap of 2 trillion dollars in investment. These gaps are significant, but there are opportunities to be more efficient with policies that recognize the inherent connection between infrastructure, development, and digitization. A new strategic approach must prioritize a strong digital backbone, the proper regulatory framework, connections to energy and infrastructure, and inclusive access to drive development.
Building a better foundation for the developing world towards digitization is vital, especially as the U.S. thinks through the appropriate policy levers to expand its digital influence and protect its national security and commercial interests from outside threats. New U.S. programming efforts like USAID’s Digital Strategy, the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership - DCCP, and the Infrastructure Transaction Assistance Network have shown success in ‘mainstreaming’ digital goals into development sector operations, specifically through technical advisory and capacity building services. The new Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has made information connectivity a central goal of its current strategy, representing the opportunity to attract private sector finance. In support of new U.S. government programming and resource catalyzation on the digital backbone, this panel will discuss novel approaches that U.S. bilateral agencies can take to strengthen digital transformation in developing countries and the risks and opportunities for development in the larger geopolitical context.
Panelists:
Karan Bhatia
Global Vice President, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google
Jonathan Hillman
Senior Fellow, Economics Program, and Director, Reconnecting Asia Project, CSIS
Dr. Katherine Getao
Chief Executive Officer, Information and Communication Technology Authority of Kenya
Ruth Berry
Director for Digital Technology Policy, International Economics and Competitiveness, National Security Council
Moderator:
Romina Bandura
Senior Fellow, Project on Prosperity and Development, CSIS
Agnieszka Rawa
Managing Director, Data Collaboration for Local Impact, Millennium Challenge Corporation