Advising Governments

Through this project, we assist – in collaboration with the Global Network of Centers – policy-makers and decision-makers working in governments across the globe, particularly in the Majority World, in dealing with pressing challenges related to innovative digital technologies (including AI, XR, Quantum Computing, and the Metaverse). We place a particular emphasis on translating existing policies and best practices into actionable outputs and implementation projects in the public interest.

Some of the resources we provide to policy-makers and decision-makers that we collaborate with are the following:

• Development of initial capacities through the elaboration of reports, workshops, and public innovation spaces.
• Transfer of knowledge on new technologies, technical expertise, and their impact on governments.
• Design of plans, strategies, regulatory frameworks, or specific public policies related to innovative technologies.
• Provide access to tools to accelerate the implementation of policy initiatives related to innovative technologies.
• Design of coordination mechanisms and governance models to achieve the development of technology projects in the public sector.
• Training and knowledge transfer programs with public officials and government leaders.
• Facilitate spaces for effective participation and involvement with various stakeholders in the technology sector.
• Promote collaboration with international organizations, development banks, and international cooperation funds.

Current government (a-z) efforts include:

• Brazil: members of our center have been actively working on the development of the generative AI regulatory sandbox with the Brazilian Data Protection Authority (ANPD). The purpose of this sandbox is to analyze the impact of generative AI systems in personal data processing in Brazil. The project will analyze how the general data protection law from Brazil will be applied to data protection processing, especially on requirements regarding data access transparency. We have provided support to develop this project and design the sandbox space. Contact person: Armando Guio.
• Chile. We are supporting the Chilean Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation in the development and implementation of policies aimed at the promotion of talent for the deployment of AI systems. Contact people: Armando Guio & Lionel Brossi.
• France. We are mapping and discussing available technological approaches to address some of the most pressing contemporary child safety issues. Contact person: Sandra Cortesi.
• Switzerland. This effort, brought together by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, seeks to explore the concept of digital self-determination and what it means when looked at through different use cases and translated into practice. Contact person: Lis Sylvan
• Thailand. Appointed by the Executive Director of the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) several BKC staff and community members have been invited to join the newly formed International Policy Advisory Panel. The International Policy Advisory Panel has been created as a capacity for knowledge creation and exchange concerning a variety of policy and governance issues related to the digital transformation of society with an initial emphasis on policy and governance issues in the realm of digital finance, health, and government services. Contact people: Urs Gasser & Sandra Cortesi.

Past governments (a-z) efforts include:

• Colombia. We have contributed to high-impact projects through the AI Expert Mission, a group of scholars and experts convened by former President Ivan Duque. These include interventions aimed at attracting talent to develop AI technologies in Colombia, innovative multi-stakeholder models to proactively manage how AI shapes the future of work in the region, and recommendations for how AI can be leveraged to promote ecological sustainability. We also helped create several products and initiatives that will continue to lay the groundwork for AI development in Colombia that will benefit all its citizens. For example,  we drafted the Ethical Framework for AI in Colombia, incubated a national AI Policy Lab, and created a learning platform to equip Colombian people with AI skills and knowledge. Read more about this effort here. Contact person: Sandra Cortesi.
• Finland (Helsinki). One of our flagship educational programs brought together a diverse group of people to analyze a real-world use case at the intersection of AI, education, and ethics. Read more about this effort here. Contact person: Lis Sylvan.
• Germany. In 2018, former German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel appointed a group of nine scholars and practitioners, including then-BKC executive director Urs Gasser, to the German Digital Council. The Center developed a report with main lessons learned from this experience and outcomes of this collaboration with the German government. Read more about this effort here. Contact person: Urs Gasser.