On the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum and on the road to the AI Action Summit, took place the first high-level consultation of the multistakeholder and research initiative on digital infrastructure solutions for data agency led by Project Liberty Institute and the Global Solutions Initiative.
Through this initiative, we seek to reshape the global data landscape by exploring various digital infrastructure technologies’ pivotal role in fostering a more distributed and equitable data economy. The initiative builds on GSI’s work on data agency in digital economies and PLI’s Task Force for a Fair Data Economy.
For this first consultation 31 of experts spanning policymakers, academics, business leaders, international organizations representatives shared insightful observations and recommendations on the ideal vision and design of digital infrastructure solutions for a better global digital economy benefiting users and their data. At the forefront was discussed the role of governments for catalyzing positive digital infrastructure innovation, rethinking governance and business models. Many existing best practices in digital infrastructure solutions were raised and examined. The discussions set us on a good path to our second consultation that will take place on the sidelines of the Equitable Tech Summit, in Washington D.C. in the spring of 2025.
“How technology is shaping our societies and economies is an issue of power dynamics and the power is currently unequally distributed especially with AI – I commend this initiative by Project Liberty Institute and the Global Solutions Initiative.”
Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director General for Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO
Through this initiative, we are not just envisioning new economic models, industry ideas and the roles of governments in catalyzing them —we are laying the groundwork for a future where data agency is at the forefront of technological innovation and governance.
“In France and across Europe, we have regulatory tools, good infrastructure, and skilled operators, but the challenge is in delivering the final product to users in a safe and effective manner—the ‘last kilometer.’”
Emma Ghariani, Head of the Open Source and Digital commons Division, French Interministerial Digital Directorate
The results of the two consultations in Paris and Washington D.C. will feed into a Toolkit for Catalysing Digital Infrastructure Solutions for Data Agency. This guide will primarily serve governments to understand how to best catalyze and stimulate new infrastructure solutions, while also benefiting civil society and digital infrastructure service providers, aiming to foster more equitable digital ecosystems.
“Building robust digital public infrastructure requires a multistakeholder approach, incorporating both state and private sector inputs, while also helping citizens understand the value of their data including in the context of established economic models.”
Paul Ash, CEO Christchurch Call Foundation
Our work will culminate in actionable recommendations for upcoming global forums, including the Global Solutions Summit in May 2025 in Berlin and the G7 and G20 processes.
Keep an eye out for the release of the first intermediary report of this initiative coming at the end of the year.