The Bridge - Issue 3, 2023 - 18

Feature
Addressing the Digital Divide and Mitigating the Risk of AI by People-Centered,
Collaborative Digital Regulation
and respecting elders who paved the way for us. This
broader view promotes equality and dignity and recognizes
contributions that extend beyond monetary worth.
The proposed regulatory sandbox network, using AIdriven
insights into both formal and informal societal and
economic structures and prioritizing SMEs, advances social
and economic equality. The sandbox network informs our
understanding of the task that digital regulation can do, so
we can design and apply " law of the land " digital regulation
that works for the people in each local community.
Furthermore, we can monitor the consequences of the
" law of the land " digital regulation in the sandbox network
to understand if it is working as intended or if unforeseen
consequences are causing harm , and be effective and
responsive.
The accelerating rate of change in digital transformation
requires digital regulatory mechanisms that can keep pace.
No one regulatory regime in one sector or in one country
can do this, but collectively in regional sandboxes and in
global tracking of regulatory decisions, we can learn faster to
mitigate risks, prevent harms, be more resilient, and increase
opportunities for prosperity. By championing inclusivity,
ensuring transparency, and encouraging public engagement,
collaborative digital regulation can significantly complement
national digital transformation journeys to build fairer
societies that are responsible to all who live in them.
9. Conclusion: Closing Digital Divide to Craft a
Harmonious, Inclusive Tomorrow
As we navigate the rapidly expanding landscape of digital
technology, our journey takes us to the precipice of vast
possibility and profound responsibility. The digital divide we
confront, shaped by intricate complexities and multifaceted
disparities, is not just a hurdle to overcome but stands as a
critical challenge to the very essence of our shared humanity.
Our exploration of various methodologies and approaches
has led us to a deeper understanding, not just of the
technology that defines our era but also of the values,
principles, and ethics that must underpin our collective digital
future. More than a national quest for digital transformation,
it is a global call to action for a more just, empathetic, and
inclusive world.
The future we envision is not one of isolated solution but
of interconnected opportunities where digital tools and AI
not only augment our capabilities but also strengthen our
connections, bridging societal divides and fostering universal
access. This goes beyond mere policy interventions or
technological advancements; it encapsulates a philosophy,
a human-centered ethos, that places people, in all their
diversity, differences, history, heritage, traditions, culture, and
potential, at the core of the digital revolution.
In this vision, small and large enterprises, marginalized
communities, and global institutions coalesce in a
harmonious symphony of collaboration, where prosperity and
opportunity are not just buzzwords but tangible outcomes
THE BRIDGE
accessible to all. It's a world where digital assets are not
confined to enriching the elite but are part of a broader social
and economic tapestry that enriches everyone's lives.
At the heart of this vision is a commitment to integrity,
transparency, and participative governance. It's a future where
technology is not a distant, abstract concept but an intimate
part of our lives, a tool that resonates with our values and
amplifies our aspirations.
The urgency of closing the digital divide is not a fleeting
concern but a lasting testament to our ability, or lack thereof,
to create a world where technology serves all of humanity.
The solutions we have explored and the insights we have
gleaned are stepping stones on a path that leads to a future
where digital inclusion is not an ideal but is becoming a
lived reality.
In the end, our collective response to the digital divide will
be a defining chapter in our shared story. It's not just about
closing glaring gaps; it's about weaving a global tapestry
of interconnected lives and destinies where technology is
a harmonious counterpoint to the melody of our shared
commitment to equality, dignity, and the enduring spirit of
human connection. It's a vision of a world not divided by
digital lines but united by digital connections, leading to
resilient, inclusive, and prosperous societies for all.
REFERENCES
1 Guterres, A. (2023) Calls for AI " That Bridges Divides " https://www.
un.org/en/delegate/secretary-general-calls-ai-'-bridges-divides'
2 https://hechingerreport.org/massive-learning-setbacks-show-covidssweeping-toll-on-kids/
3
Calvo, A., Fung, M., Peck, J. (2012) US Dept. of Defense
Federal Health Futures https://docs.google.com/document/
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4 Goldberg et al. (1996). A Secure Environment for Untrusted Helper
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5 Digital regulatory sandboxes and more, the World Bank and ITU
https://digitalregulation.org/publications/
6 https://www.openbankproject.com/how-regulatory-sandboxes-fosterfintech-innovation/
7
Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Mauritius, Mozambique, Sierra Leone,
Zambia, Zimbabwe, Anglo, Eqypt, Uganda, Morocco, South Africa.
https://www.openbankproject.com/regulatory-sandboxes-in-africa/
8 https://www.mas.gov.sg/development/fintech/regulatory-sandbox
9 https://www.fintechfestival.sg/
10 Michener, L.J. et al (2019) The Practical Playbook II - Building MultiSector
Partnerships that Work https://global.oup.com/academic/
product/the-practical-playbook-ii-9780190936013?cc=us&lang=en&
11 Hayek (1945). The Use of Knowledge in Society. American Economic
Review, 35(4), pp. 519-30.
12 Singh T, et al (2022) Global Public Private Digital Utilities for MSME
recovery and transition https://www.think7.org/publication/globalpublic-private-digital-utilities-for-msme-recovery-and-transition/
13
https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2022-09-04/g20-digitalministers-yields-consensus-on-3-priorities
and https://t20ind.org/
research/harnessing-digital-federation-platforms/
14 Pentland A., Hardjono T. (2020). Data Cooperatives.
https://wip.mitpress.mit.edu/pub/pnxgvubq/release/2

https://www.un.org/en/delegate/secretary-general-calls-ai-'-bridges-divides https://www.un.org/en/delegate/secretary-general-calls-ai-'-bridges-divides https://hechingerreport.org/massive-learning-setbacks-show-covids-sweeping-toll-on-kids/ https://hechingerreport.org/massive-learning-setbacks-show-covids-sweeping-toll-on-kids/ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BBz5lLZ1yLVSIROWeMAEDHp_SNu-seEmG2wbSj2Rqrw/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BBz5lLZ1yLVSIROWeMAEDHp_SNu-seEmG2wbSj2Rqrw/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BBz5lLZ1yLVSIROWeMAEDHp_SNu-seEmG2wbSj2Rqrw/edit?usp=sharing https://digitalregulation.org/publications/ https://www.openbankproject.com/how-regulatory-sandboxes-foster-fintech-innovation https://www.openbankproject.com/how-regulatory-sandboxes-foster-fintech-innovation https://www.openbankproject.com/regulatory-sandboxes-in-africa/ https://www.mas.gov.sg/development/fintech/regulatory-sandbox https://www.fintechfestival.sg/ https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-practical-playbook-ii-9780190936013?cc=us&lang=en& https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-practical-playbook-ii-9780190936013?cc=us&lang=en& https://www.think7.org/publication/global-public-private-digital-utilities-for-msme-recovery-and-transition/ https://www.think7.org/publication/global-public-private-digital-utilities-for-msme-recovery-and-transition/ https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2022-09-04/g20-digital-ministers-yields-consensus-on-3-prioritiesandhttps://t20ind.org/research/harnessing-digital-federation-platforms/ https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2022-09-04/g20-digital-ministers-yields-consensus-on-3-prioritiesandhttps://t20ind.org/research/harnessing-digital-federation-platforms/ https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2022-09-04/g20-digital-ministers-yields-consensus-on-3-prioritiesandhttps://t20ind.org/research/harnessing-digital-federation-platforms/ https://wip.mitpress.mit.edu/pub/pnxgvubq/release/2

The Bridge - Issue 3, 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Bridge - Issue 3, 2023