Archives: Actors CPT

The Datasphere Initiative is a global network of stakeholders with a mission to develop agile frameworks to responsibly unlock the value of data for all.

It has been incubated by the Internet & Jurisdiction Policy Network – a multistakeholder organisation addressing the tension between the cross-border nature of the internet and national jurisdictions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqtnexKnFKIu0026list=PLa6vw8V5aV_v8kCoNqSylSRWx_yRNTe7Ju0026index=7

The Datasphere’s main objectives are the following:

• Bring a new, holistic and positive approach to the governance of the Datasphere
• Provide a platform to unlock the social and economic value of data access and
• Improve coordination and accelerate the adoption of concrete proposals to overcome the current tensions and polarisation around
• Produce evidence-based analysis on data policy
• Catalyse human-centric technical,  policy,  and institutional innovations.

Digital activities

The Datasphere Initiative works on three programmes that promote transnational cooperation and mission-oriented partnerships: Dialogue, Intelligence, and the Lab.

Digital activities are dedicated to increasing awareness, building capacity, and identifying real-world challenges that can be addressed by data and innovative data governance frameworks.

Digital policy issues

HealthAI – The Global Agency for Responsible AI in Health – is a Geneva-based non-profit organisation with the mission of advancing the development and adoption of Responsible AI solutions in health through the collaborative implementation of regulatory mechanisms and global standards.

HealthAI envisions a world where artificial intelligence (AI) produces equitable and inclusive improvements in health and well-being for all individuals and communities.

As the premier implementing partner to ensure global standards for Responsible AI in health are actively applied, HealthAI works with countries, normative agencies, the private sector, and other stakeholders to build national and regional regulatory capacity so that countries can actively validate AI technologies, reducing both risks and long-term costs of AI-enabled health.

With a network of over 45 partners, HealthAI’s work is rooted in three core principles, namely cultivating trust, catalysing innovation, and centring equity.

Digital policy issues

HealthAI new strategy

AI and other emerging technologies have immense potential to improve health and well-being but they also bring a unique set of risks and challenges that must be addressed to safeguard individuals and communities from potential harms. Globally, a lack of effective governance is increasing the risk and hindering the adoption of Responsible AI solutions towards better health outcomes. Strong, responsive regulatory mechanisms are required to establish AI systems’ safety and effectiveness and build trust for the long-term acceptability and success of AI-enabled progress in the health sector.

Some countries, mainly those with the highest gross domestic product (GDP) and the most advanced technology sectors, have begun integrating AI regulation into governance structures and national regulations. Most countries have only just begun considering the regulation of AI in general terms and even less so within the context of health. This risks deepening inequity in both access and outcome between early adopter countries and countries that do not have the resources or flexibility to match the pace of technological innovation.                    

Global efforts addressing the need for AI regulation through the harmonisation of existing standards are critical, but require collaborative partners who can support the implementation of the resulting standards and recommendations at a local level. With the new strategy for 2024-2026, HealthAI positions itself as a premier implementing partner for countries, normative agencies, the private sector, and other stakeholders to ensure global standards of Responsible AI in health are actively applied in the push towards improved health and well-being outcomes for all in alignment with the SDGs.

HealthAI’s Core Outputs

To achieve our mission, HealthAI’s work spans four key areas (Figure 1): 

i) Building and certifying national and regional validation mechanisms on Responsible AI in health:

• Establish in-country, government-led regulatory mechanisms by implementing global standards and guidance set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and others at the country level.
• Support the implementation of existing auditing tools, and provide guidance on the use of data for AI solutions validation.

ii) Establishing a global regulatory network for knowledge sharing and early warning of adverse events:

• Facilitate knowledge sharing so as to streamline the certification of the same technology and to identify AI solutions that require refinement or re-evaluation.
• Rapid notification of adverse events arising from an AI-driven health solution.

iii) Creating a global public repository of validated AI solutions for health:

• Allow countries to evaluate solution options against local health needs.
• Surface unmet health needs as insights and inspiration for technology developers.

iv) Delivering advisory support on policies and regulations:

• Provide technical guidance and insights into global trends and best practices so as to assist public and private stakeholders in developing effective and contextually relevant strategies, policies, and regulations.
• Democratise AI for health policy-making through diverse stakeholder and citizen engagement to cultivate trust and improve inclusiveness.

Figure 1 – Responsible AI Solution for Health

The outputs will lead to the following outcomes. Stronger policies, regulations, and institutions will enable the effective governance and validation of AI and other emerging technologies, reducing both the risks and long-term costs of AI-enabled health. In the long term, countries will be able to identify validated AI solutions with greater certainty in their efficacy to meet local health needs, while private sector partners will have clarity about regulatory requirements and a better understanding of AI use in health systems and services. 

HealthAI’s Impact

HealthAI is dedicated to contributing to enhanced health and well-being outcomes for all in alignment with the SDGs. HealthAI aims to achieve this by facilitating increased access to safe, high-quality, effective, and equitable AI solutions. This involves ensuring that AI solutions are not only safe for use but also comply with rigorous quality standards, delivering the intended health outcomes or system improvements.

HealthAI commits to providing information on market access authorisation, and reimbursement processes while supporting an early-warning mechanism to alert countries of adverse events. Through streamlined information sharing between countries and the establishment of a global repository of validated AI solutions, the organisation seeks to propagate the availability of proven Responsible AI solutions. Furthermore, HealthAI envisions a positive impact on government revenue from regulatory activities, generating new sources of income for regulatory agencies and government budgets. This financial support is crucial for the sustained funding of regulatory mechanisms and additional investment capacity, ultimately accelerating approval processes across countries and leading to cost savings and bureaucratic streamlining. 

Finally, by fostering an ecosystem that ensures compliance with internationally defined Responsible AI standards, protects national data sovereignty, and supports local validation processes that enable feedback from civil society, HealthAI’s work will increase trust, investment, and innovation in Responsible AI solutions for health.

Social media channels

LinkedIn @healthaiagency

X @thehealthai

YouTube @I-DAIR

About GEO

The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is a global collaboration dedicated to understanding our Earth in all its complexity. As a collaborative intergovernmental body, GEO is dedicated to co-producing user-driven Earth Intelligence solutions. By collecting and sharing vital information, ranging from satellite images of forests to oceanic temperature readings and beyond, GEO provides a comprehensive view of our planet’s well-being, allowing us to monitor and safeguard its health. These are not just datasets; they’re the tools that inform decisions, shaping policies and initiatives worldwide that guide society towards a sustainable future.

Why GEO?

Our planet faces challenges that don’t stop at borders. From the pressing issues of climate change, and the alarming loss of biodiversity, to the widespread pollution affecting our lands, skies, and seas, there’s much at stake. While the challenges are integrated, the global response often remains fragmented. Among the ever-growing flood of information and data sources, there’s a noticeable gap in cohesive global partnerships. This is where GEO steps in, striving to unify these fragmented efforts and championing inclusivity in seeking holistic solutions for global challenges.

Digital activities

At GEO, we serve as a collaborative platform where science, policy, and community interests unite for the greater good.

Enhanced coordination: Building on our unique role to lead the development of integrated Earth Observation (EO) solutions, we focus on coordination from global to local levels, sharing beneficial practices and building capacity.

Broad engagement: We actively engage with youth, indigenous communities, women, and other groups to amplify voices whose potential to contribute to EO solutions has not yet been fully realised.

Transformative programmes: Our strategic work programme activities generate high-added value towards policy goals, support sustained services for decision-making, build capacity, and advance equity.

Inclusivity: We are committed to increasing engagement and building capacity, especially in the global south. There is a call to fully address and embed equality, diversity, and inclusivity (EDI) principles in all GEO undertakings.

Digital policy issues

Digital tools and initiatives

The current flagship programmes in the GEO work programme are 
GEO Land Degradation Neutrality, GEO Biodiversity Observation Network, GEO Global Agricultural Monitoring, the Global Forest Observation Initiative, and the Global Observation System for Mercury. To facilitate access to EO applications, we are developing the GEO Knowledge Hub, a digital library. Ministers and ministerial representatives adopted the Group on Earth Observations 2023 Cape Town Ministerial Declaration on 10 November 2023. The Declaration endorses the GEO post-2025 strategy Earth Intelligence for All, charges GEO with developing an implementation plan to guide the execution of the strategy, and reaffirms the integral role of young people as catalysts for sustainable development, among other statements.

GEO assists countries in its region in addressing sustainable development challenges. The vision of the  GEO Indigenous Alliance is to protect and conserve indigenous cultural heritage by using EOs science,  data and technology to create a knowledge base that sustains the Earth we live on. 

GEO has developed a series of tools and initiatives to promote the use of EOs as evidence for decision-making.

• GEO Knowledge Hub
• Earth Observations Risk Toolkit
• Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO-BON)
• The Global Forest Observation Initiative (GFOI)
• The Global Observation System for Mercury
• Global Agricultural Monitoring Initiative
• AfriGEO: The African Group on Earth Observations
• AmeriGEO A Framework for Advancing Data Driven Decision Making
• AOGEO (Asia-Oceania Group on Earth Observations)
• EuroGEO

An important convention (not necessarily covering digital issues directly, but relevant)

• Canberra Declaration (2019)

Created in 1991, Fongit serves as an innovation hub dedicated to supporting innovative tech ventures in the Geneva region. The Foundation empowers innovative companies to successfully transform technology through innovation into a growing sustainable business, delivering economic and social value. Fongit is supported by the State of Geneva.

Digital activities

Fongit’s mission is to transform technological innovation into social and economic value. In doing so, the Foundation assists innovative companies in the digital economy, by providing them with access to offices and labs; administrative, governance, and legal support; and access to financing.

Digital policy issues

Interdisciplinary approaches

Fongit, as an innovation leader, recognised the increasing integration of seemingly unrelated technologies, prompting a move towards tech convergence. This trend is notably advanced in the life sciences domain, where addressing medical challenges involves multidisciplinary interactions across technologies like ICT, hardware, physics, and medical expertise. The acceleration in Geneva’s innovation landscape occurred when life sciences projects from the Eclosion Foundation were integrated into Fongit. The positive outcomes include enhanced collaboration among entrepreneurs, facilitated by communal spaces, leading to the exchange of ideas benefitting various sectors. This tech convergence has driven further innovation at Fongit’s headquarters, with anticipation of future developments in their startup ecosystem.