Among the most fundamental changes to global society over the last century is the rise of the Digital Transformation. Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other digital technologies offer new opportunities to understand and manage global systemic risks, help to mitigate the cascading impacts of emerging crises (climate change, natural disasters, etc.), and during the current pandemic, have enabled so many people to stay connected to each other and the world. Without these tools the impacts of the lockdown and global economic shutdown would have been much higher.
But not everyone is benefiting from these tools. Almost half the global population does not have access to the digital world, and even in developed countries there is evidence that the transition to online tools during the lockdown has increased inequalities, with children, the elderly, the poor, and other vulnerable groups suffering most.
Furthermore, while the digital revolution is a big assistance, in some cases it is also facilitating the propagation of disinformation, undermine trust, and even threaten democracy and established political structures.
It is necessary to find ways of “governing” the Digital Transformation in order to orient it towards the benefit of the whole of humankind, whilst minimizing the risks that are already becoming evident.
