University of Malta, Malta
Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Malta, focusing in LLM, NLP, and a bit of finance. Holds a Master’s degree in Communication from the University of Indonesia, specializing in areas such as social media network analysis and discourse network analysis.
Fellow Report:
Internet governance presents a complex interplay of technical and political challenges. I raised a question about the multistakeholder approach that seems to disappear during crises, such as the ransomware issues faced by Indonesia’s National Data Center and the persistent internet shutdowns in many countries. Through these discussions, I gained insights into the factors complicating crisis management, such as a lack of technical leadership, insufficient public communication, and the intricacies of cyberwarfare and global interdependence. The multistakeholder approach, while theoretically promoting collaborative problem-solving, often falls short during emergencies. Despite discussions in forums like ICANN, APNIC, and IGF, these issues persist, indicating a critical gap in effective crisis response. This experience underscored the need for improved coordination, engagement, and communication among all stakeholders during emergencies.
A particularly enlightening aspect was roleplaying as Google’s representative for the Global Digital Compact meeting. Despite my past career spent challenging big tech companies like Google, I learned about Google’s commitment to the UN Global Digital Compact, emphasising digital rights, AI ethics, and security. Their initiatives, such as transparency reports, human rights policies, and privacy enhancements, are commendable. Programs like Project Shield, the Advanced Protection Program, and support for NGOs and activists showcase Google’s proactive stance in promoting digital security and human rights globally.
On the last day, I questioned the European Commission about the EU AI Act’s classification of “social scoring” as an unacceptable risk. We concluded that the Act should specify “unified social scoring” or “national social scoring” to avoid confusion with existing practices in banking and insurance, which have used social scoring long before AI.
Discussions around jurisdiction, DNS abuse, and cross-border evidence access were particularly insightful. Addressing DNS-level abuses, setting standards for electronic evidence access, and ensuring transparency and due process are crucial elements that need comprehensive, inclusive policies. The importance of multistakeholder collaboration was a recurring theme, emphasising the need for governments, businesses, and civil society to work together to tackle global digital challenges effectively.
Despite the drama of travelling to/from Dresden (due to Microsoft Outage as well) and navigating its public transport, this event was immensely valuable. I plan to leverage this knowledge to build an Indonesia School of Internet Governance and will seek guidance from experts like Prof Wolfgang and Bertrand Chapelle to ensure its success. I am grateful for this enriching experience, which has provided me with a deeper appreciation of the complexities and potential solutions in the realm of internet governance. Thank you for this valuable opportunity!