[digital.global] in dialogue
The [digital.global] network brings together more than 100 stakeholders from politics, the private sector, civil society and academia in Germany, our partner countries and our multilateral partner system.
As a platform for all stakeholders driving a socio-ecological and feminist digital transformation, the network thrives on its strong partnerships and continuous exchange. Its aim is to harness the innovative power of the digital economy for development policy goals by responding to the needs of partner countries. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is in constant dialogue with its initiatives and partners to adapt technical and financial cooperation to the constantly changing challenges of the ongoing digital transformation in all areas of life.
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2024 International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief
© Afif Ramdhasuma/pexels In Focus: Freedom of Religion or Belief and Artificial Intelligence
Freedom of religion or belief is under increasing pressure worldwide. Four out of five people are unable to freely practise their religion or belief, often in combination with restrictions on other human rights such as freedom of expression and assembly. Women are particularly affected and face additional discrimination in many contexts.
New technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and social media play an important role. They can accelerate disinformation, repression and polarisation – but they can also serve as catalyst for knowledge, dialogue and peaceful exchange. The task of our time is to harness the potential of these technologies to promote peace and diversity, while taking decisive action against their misuse. To this end, a deeper understanding of the links between today’s AI revolution and freedom of religion or belief is essential.
On 10 October, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), together with the Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Frank Schwabe, and the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA), will lay the foundation for international networking and joint work on new approaches:
The International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief brings together leading decision-makers, civil society organisations, religious actors and participants from all regions of the world in Berlin. In the midst of the challenges of our time, the conference will explore solutions to strengthen freedom of religion or belief worldwide – for a digital world where freedom and diversity are the basis for peace and social cohesion.
Key topics:
- Implications for freedom of religion or belief: development and use of artificial intelligence
- Artificial intelligence and freedom of religion or belief: the role of social media
- Artificial intelligence in the context of increasing surveillance and transnational repression
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Harnessing Data and AI for Climate Action in Senegal
© GIZ 
© GIZ On 10 October 2024, we successfully held the “Data and Artificial Intelligence for Climate” co-creation workshop in Dakar. This key milestone builds on ongoing support for digital innovation in climate strategy and data governance across Africa.
The government, through the Ministry of Environment, Ecological Transition, and Green Finance (DCCTEFV), is positioning the country as a leader in climate action and sustainable development. In close collaboration with the GIZ initiatives Data Economy and Fair Forward, we are harnessing the potential of data and artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate climate action and strengthen the capacity for targeted climate measures in line with Senegal’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Promising results of the workshop include:
- Implementation of two use cases: the Climate Data Information Platform and the High Carbon Stock Approach building on ongoing efforts in Côte d’Ivoire via the Lacuna Fund with data354
- A roadmap for future action
- Identification of sector-specific climate needs
Together, through close collaboration, we are shaping innovative solutions to promote sustainability and strengthen climate resilience.
Stay tuned for further updates. -
Hamburg Sustainability Conference
Panel Discussion: “Responsible AI for Sustainable Development”
In a rapidly changing world facing global challenges, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be a game-changer—for better or worse. AI can either deepen inequality, widen digital divides, and worsen environmental degradation, or it can drive prosperity, sustainability, and inclusion. Now is the time to harness responsible, human-centric AI to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), benefiting both people and the planet.
At the first Hamburg Sustainability Conference, held from 7 to 8 October 2024, we addressed this critical issue with representatives from governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector. Our panel discussion, “Responsible AI for Sustainable Development,” outlined key principles for using AI to achieve the SDGs. These principles aim to support AI ecosystems and develop solutions that are both innovative and grounded in human-centered, commons-based design and ecological stewardship. This document also lays the groundwork for the “Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI for the SDGs,” set to be adopted at HSC 2025.
Additionally, this session launched the AI SDG Compendium, a global registry of major initiatives and commitments on AI for Sustainable Development.
MORE INFORMATIONto the AI SDG Compendium
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Panel Discussion: Ethical Data Practices for Fair Labor and Sustainable Business Models
Roundtable Session at the Conference ICEGOV 2024 “Trust and Ethical Digital Governance for the World We Want”, 1 – 4 October
In an era where data drives innovation and the digital economy reshapes the way we work, the integration of ethical data practices is more important than ever before. This session merges the themes of value creation through data and AI and its impact on labor rights within the platform economy and AI supply chain.
The discussion between experts will explore how organizations can harness data to drive value while maintaining ethical standards and ensuring fair treatment of workers. Key topics include best practices for innovation and growth through data and AI, balancing privacy concerns, and transparency in data handling. Additionally, the session will address the challenges faced by workers in the gig economy, and the impact of AI on employment.
Panelists will delve into a discussion how data-driven insights can improve working conditions, the role of data in monitoring fair work practices, and the creation of sustainable business models. The session aims to foster knowledge sharing, develop recommendations for action, and help participants gain a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between data and worker rights.
This session is organized by GIZ together with CETIC.br, FairWork and Research ICT Africa.
Expect keynote speeches and discussions with the following experts:
- Eva Scholtes, GIZ
- Roland Banya, Research ICT Africa
- Javiera Macaya, CETIC.br
- Lukas Sonnenberg, GIZ
- Jonas Chagas Valente, Oxford Internet Institute / FairWork
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GovStack at the Global DPI Summit
The Global DPI Summit in Cairo, Egypt, is an international platform for exchanging ideas on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Representatives from government, private sector, and civil society will discuss the latest advancements in the implementation of DPI principles. The focus is on the transformative impact of DPI on both national and global levels, as well as the diverse approaches and challenges countries face during their digital transformation. Technological innovations, policy frameworks, and implementation models that are reshaping public infrastructure worldwide will be highlighted.
The summit promotes dialogue and the formation of strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors, as well as civil society. This collaboration is essential for accelerating DPI implementation in various countries and fully harnessing the potential of digital public infrastructure for sustainable development and societal progress.
The GovStack Initiative will co-host three sessions during the event. These sessions will explore the practical implementation of digital infrastructure, introduce the corresponding reference architecture, and discuss real-world examples from partner countries. Additionally, the GovStack Booth will offer a dedicated exhibition space featuring product demonstrations and interactive formats for the attendees of the Global DPI Summit.
The GovStack Initiative is co-hosting the following sessions at the Global DPI Summit:
- Session 1 – DPI in Action: Real-World Country Implementation Use Cases
October 1, 2024, 12:00 – 13:00 CET
This panel discussion will highlight various approaches to implementing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Representatives from different countries will share their experiences, best practices, and challenges in their digital transformation journeys. Participants will gain insights into digital transformation processes and learn how frameworks, standards, and initiatives like GovStack can support DPI implementation in their own countries. - Session 2 – Empowering Digital Public Infrastructure with GovStack: An End-to-End DPI Implementation Framework
October 2, 2024, 8:30 – 9:30 CET
This session presents a comprehensive roadmap for effective end-to-end implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). It covers the political, regulatory, and institutional aspects crucial for the efficient, secure, and compliant deployment of digital solutions. The session will also explore how different countries approach end-to-end DPI implementation and how the GovStack approach, along with the PAERA architecture, supports this process. - Session 3 – Navigating Digital Public Infrastructure: How to Get Started and Tap into Resources Leveraging DPI Implementation
October 2, 2024, 11:00 – 12:00 CET
This joint panel, hosted by GovStack and the Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI), provides an overview for countries embarking on their digital transformation journeys. It addresses key questions and challenges in leveraging DPI to drive development, improve public service delivery, and foster economic growth. Experts will offer practical insights into available resources, standards, technologies, and funding opportunities to support these efforts.
- Another [digital.global] session is hosted by the Digital Transformation Center Egypt:
Focused Dialogue: Enhancing Citizen Participation in Digital Transformation
October 3, 2024, 14:30 – 15:30 CET
- Session 1 – DPI in Action: Real-World Country Implementation Use Cases
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SDG Digital Futures
Launched in 2023, SDG Digital will return this year just ahead of the Summit of the Future. Under the headline SDG Digital Futures, the event will showcase the transformative potential of digital technologies in forging a better and more inclusive future for all. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will bring stakeholders from around the world together in New York to highlight the critical role that digital technologies play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We are excited to share that our use case, “Forest Forward/Artificial Intelligence meets Jungle”, has been selected as one of the 20 finalists in the Planet category of the SDG Digital GameChangers Awards. The Awards honour organisations that are working towards rescuing the Global Goals through digital.
“Forest Forward” highlights how cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) is helping preserve Indonesia’s rainforests, contributing to the protection of this vital ecosystem. This innovative initiative combines AI and satellite imagery to closely monitor forest conditions. By harnessing AI’s power, the initiative ensures that Indonesia’s rich biodiversity is safeguarded, while also empowering local communities and contributing to climate resilience. This effort plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the rainforest for future generations and supports global goals for sustainability.
For more details on how AI is preserving Indonesia’s rainforests, visit the project’s profile here.
Stay tuned for the SDG Digital Futures event where the winners of the GameChangers Awards will be presented!
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United Nations Summit of the Future
A Digital Future for All – how can a digital future be shaped fairly for all and how can digitalisation contribute to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Representatives from governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector have been addressing these and other questions at the “SDG Action Days” (20-21 September 2024) in New York in the run-up to the United Nations Summit of the Future.
Data will play an important role in accelerating progress as a building block of digitalisation: BMZ is working closely with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to advance the use of data for development. To this end, the BMZ and UNDP are jointly providing a digital platform, the Data to Policy Navigator. The Navigator supports policy makers in integrating data and AI-based approaches into decision-making processes. The aim is to make faster and more informed decisions based on data from previous projects, optimise administrative processes and ultimately achieve better results. The Navigator makes use cases for data usage publicly and freely available.
For the BMZ project group Data Lab, Chief Data Scientist Dr. Iliya Nickelt traveled to New York to take part in events on data for sustainable development during the Action Days and to exchange ideas with key BMZ partners, including UNDP.
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Adoption of the Global Digital Compact
Opening of Summit of the Future On 22 September, the United Nations officially adopted the Pact for the Future, including the Global Digital Compact (GDC), ushering in a new era of global digital cooperation.
The GDC sets ambitious goals for an open, free and secure digital future and commits the international community to bridging the digital divide and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For the first time, world leaders have come together to address emerging technologies and commit to using safe and trustworthy artificial intelligence to achieve the SDGs.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) played a central role in shaping the Global Digital Compact and advocated for a human-centred digital transformation that is aligned with human rights, gender equality, sustainability and inclusion.
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Webinar: Managing Digital Risks in Development Finance
Digital transformation is changing our world in profound ways and its opportunities and potential benefits are obvious and have been widely acknowledged. However, the risks relating to human rights are not always as well understood.The objectives of this webinar are twofold: (i) to review and develop a shared understanding of human rights risks that have been arising in DFI-supported digital operations in practice, and (ii) to discuss recent initiatives and innovations to address such risks, with a particular focus on the “Digital Rights Check” tool and its new track developed by KfW Development Bank and GIZ in collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights.
The webinar is organized jointly by the Danish Institute for Human Rights, GIZ, KfW Development Bank, and the UN Human Rights Office.
Please note that this webinar will be recorded.
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BMZ – Democracy Forum: Disinformation in Latin America
Disinformation in Latin America: Challenges and Strategies to Protect and Strengthen Democracy
The international community is experiencing a phase of global autocratisation. Core democratic elements such as the separation of powers, the rule of law, participation, a strong civil society, freedom of expression and the press as well as the respect for human rights are under pressure.
Digital technologies facilitate the dissemination – but also the manipulation – of information. Disinformation acts as a catalyst for polarisation and social division. It fuels mistrust in democratic institutions and processes (e.g. the integrity of elections) and reduces the space for civil society by restricting freedom of expression and the media and fuelling attacks on activists.
With this event, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and GIZ would like to make a concrete contribution to the current discussion on the causes, effects and possible solutions in connection with disinformation in Latin America.
The Democracy Forum will address the following key questions:
- What is the understanding of democracy in Latin America and what is the state of democracy in the region?
- What are the causes, extent and effects of disinformation in Latin America?
- What role do different groups of actors play and what effective approaches are there to combat disinformation?
- What implications does this have for German development cooperation?
Join us for keynote speeches and discussions with experts such as:
- Christine Toetzke, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
- Prof. Dr. Jonas Wolff, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Leibniz Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF)
- Cathleen Berger, Bertelsmann Stiftung
- Patricia Noboa Armendariz, DW Akademie
- Olivia Sohr, Chequeado
- Moderation: Dr. Anita Breuer, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
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Voices of Africa: Workshop at Deep Learning INDABA
At the Deep Learning Indaba 2024 , a conference for African machine learning in Dakar, Senegal, our partners Masakhane, Data Science Nigeria in cooperation with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, CLEAR Global and the digital.global initiative “FAIR Forward – Artificial Intelligence for All” are organizing a joint workshop on the integration of African languages with state-of-the-art natural language processing (NLP) technologies. Participants will explore how these innovations can drive significant social impact and foster research that is crucial for the development of the African continent.
The workshop will bring together the African machine learning community with partners from the Global South and international funders. It offers valuable opportunities for learning and collaboration – for experienced data scientists and language researchers, but also for people who are passionate about the application of language technology for social change. Participants will learn about the significant social impact NLP innovations can have and how we can promote NLP research that is crucial for the development of the African continent.
The aim of the workshop is to take stock of African NLP and identify the most promising approaches for the development of an African language AI infrastructure. Building on previous workshops and ongoing initiatives, the event will provide an important platform for the next steps towards improving African language AI.
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Telangana Global AI Summit
Locally relevant data is key to driving impactful AI innovation in India and beyond. With the rise of open datasets and open-source AI models, there’s immense potential to boost local AI ecosystems. However, this also brings challenges in governance and regulation.
FAIR Forward, a political initiavie of BMZ and GIZ , in collaboration with nasscom, hosts a panel on “Open-Source AI: Opportunities, Challenges, and Governance” at the Telangana Global AI Summit.
Key topics of the panel:
- The definition and unique characteristics of “open-source AI” compared to traditional Open Source software.
- The role of open-source AI in strengthening India’s AI landscape.
- Regulatory efforts by governments, including Telangana’s responsible AI procurement and global discussions in the US, UK, and EU.
- Strategies for businesses to harness open-source AI responsibly.
- The definition and unique characteristics of “open-source AI” compared to traditional Open Source software.
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NDE Forum Africa on climate technology and AI
© UN CTCN 
© UN CTCN 
© UN CTCN 
© UN CTCN 
© UN CTCN 
© UN CTCN On 27-30 August, the Africa NDE Forum hosted by the UN Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN) in Nairobi brought together over 50 National Designated Entities (NDEs) from all over Africa.
Besides many learning sessions under the #AI4ClimateAction Capacity Building Programme, a key highlight was the visit to the Pan African IY Data Centre in Kenya, where participants explored the crucial role of data centers for scaling digitalization and AI responsibly. The visit was facilitated by the GIZ and HAUS initiative DIF (Digital Investment Facility) and also emphasized the importance of developing sustainable, “green” infrastructure to support the continent’s growing digital economy.
The #AI4ClimateAction Initiative aims to deliver concrete and transformative results under the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, contributing to the Paris Agreement.
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Webinars on the market study: Responsible Investment in Technology
- How to invest responsibly in technology companies?
- How can environmental, social and governance risks (ESG risks) be assessed and avoided in connection with investments in digital technologies?
DEG addressed these questions in its market study and its guidelines for investors, which it developed together with its subsidiaries DEG Impact via Africa Grow and DEG Impulse. As a contribution to the current discourse on responsible digitalisation, the analysis of existing frameworks shows that there is still no cross-sector and cross-business model framework or recommendations for investors. The guidelines now developed by DEG and its subsidiaries are an initial approach to identifying, categorizing, evaluating and mitigating ESG-related risks in Technology Investments. They make suggestions on how investors can assess these issues and integrate them into existing investment processes.
TO THE Market studyto the guidelines
If you want to learn more about responsible technology investments, attend one of the two webinars on the market study offered by KfW DEG on 18 July:
Webinar 1 (July 18th, 10:00 – 11:00 CET):
Webinar 2 (July 18th, 15:00 – 16:00 CET) :
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Online discussion round: how AI is shaping online work
Speaker Dr. Oğuz Alyanak, Postdoctoral Researcher at Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford 
Speaker Safiya Husain, Chief Impact Officer & Co-Founder of Karya 
Speaker Frida Mwangi, Director & Co-founder at iWorkers Kenya Artificial intelligence or machine learning requires extensive “training data” that helps AI models learn to make connections and identify objects for purposes like facial and image recognition. This training data is prepared through human labor on Digital Labor Platforms (DLPs), a prominent example being Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT). Here, cloudworkers earn fixed amounts of money by completing tasks like labeling and classifying datasets to help AI models learn.
Humans also perform tasks that AI cannot comprehend or complete and supplement AI decision-making, making human labor an integral part of AI functionality. Despite their crucial role, the labor of cloudworkers often remains invisible, earning the term “ghost work” from Gray and Suri (2019). As AI technology continues to evolve and permeate various sectors, the importance of cloudwork and the ethical questions surrounding DLPs become increasingly significant.
Whether you’re an AI enthusiast, a digital worker, or a business leader, this event promises to provide valuable insights and spark meaningful conversations. We will explore the trajectory of AI and its growing presence in the workforce, questioning whether the rise of algorithms and automation is an unstoppable force shaping the future of work. Our aim is to uncover the hidden labor and vast resources behind AI technologies to discuss the often-overlooked human effort that keeps AI systems running, as well as the sectors where AI is set to dominate and the implications for workers in these fields.
Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and understand the evolving landscape of AI and work. Register now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of labor and technology.
Key questions:
- What kinds of work (and workers) are artificial intelligence poised to take over?
- What kinds of work (and workers) are likely to not benefit from AI advances?
- What kind of labor and resources go into sustaining AI? Where is training data sourced from?
- How “people-free” are contemporary AI technologies?
- How has cloudwork sustained AI and algorithms?
- How might the relationship between algorithms and ghost work change?
- Will ghost work ever “end?”
- How does AI enhance tasks and jobs on Digital Labor Platforms?
Speakers:
- Safiya Hussain – Co-Founder & Chief Impact Officer at Karya Technologies
- Frida Mwangi – Director and Co-founder at iWorkers Kenya
- Dr Oğuz Alyanak – Posdoctoral Researcher at University of Oxford and Fairwork