Global Digital Compact

Global Digital Compact was adopted by UN members in the recently concluded United Nations Summit of Future 2024. Global Digital Compact lays down a comprehensive framework for global governance of Artificial Intelligence and other digital technologies.

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What is the Global Digital Compact (GDC)?

It is an agreement being negotiated by 193 United Nations (UN) member states to establish shared principles for a secure, open, and free digital future.
It is a non-binding diplomatic instrument that outlines shared goals for governments, institutions, and stakeholders.
Aim: To harness and regulate digital technologies for the common good and focusing on their potential benefits while addressing associated challenges.
It was adopted during the United Nations’ Summit of the Future 2024 as part of the ‘Pact for the Future’.

Key Objectives of the Global Digital Compact

Closing the Digital Divide: Ensuring everyone has access to digital technologies and the internet.
Inclusion in the Digital Economy: Promoting equitable participation in the digital economy for all individuals.
Data Governance: Advancing responsible and equitable governance of data.
Human Oversight of Technologies: Ensuring that technology development aligns with sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Artificial Intelligence Governance: Establishing panels to oversee AI governance and promote ethical practices.

Principles of the Global Digital Compact

Inclusive Participation: Engaging all stakeholders in decision-making processes.
Sustainability: Promoting practices that support environmental and social sustainability.
Trustworthy Technologies: Ensuring technologies function within a free and competitive market while respecting privacy.

Key initiatives under the Global Digital Compact

Establishment of an independent International Scientific Panel on AI within the UN to promote scientific understanding.
A Global Dialogue on AI Governance involving governments.
Developing innovative financing mechanisms and incentives to connect the remaining 2.6 billion people to the Internet.
Establishing safeguards to prevent and address adverse impacts on human rights from the use of digital and emerging technologies.
Providing and facilitating access to independent science-based information to counter misinformation and disinformation.

Digital Public Goods

GDC proposes the creation of digital public goods, which include:
- Open-source software
- Open data
- Open AI models
These goods are seen as essential for driving social change and building a “digital public infrastructure” that meets stakeholder needs.