Content
Digitalisation can help overcome global crises – for example, large-scale outbreaks of disease can be digitally monitored and governments can deliver digital public services promptly. AI can also help in tackling climate change and in predicting drought or extreme weather. Yet digital technologies come with risks. Digital access varies by country, region and social group. Without adequate digital infrastructure, skills and policy regulation, there is the risk of a deepening digital divide. The problem is compounded by global challenges such as surveillance, resource consumption, disinformation and data misuse.
Objective
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) takes the opportunities and risks of digitalisation into consideration in German development policy. Its work in this regard is guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Global Digital Compact.
Approach
The project advises BMZ on technical aspects, produces strategic analyses and helps BMZ network at international level. Among other things, it supports efforts to present German development policy issues on platforms such as the EU Digital for Development (D4D) Hub or the Internet Governance Forum. The project also advises BMZ on making the digital transformation an integral part of its development policy. In this regard it develops practice-based programmes that can be used by BMZ in all areas. To promote dialogue on the opportunities and risks of digital technologies, the project brings decision-makers together from different fields – politics, civil society, academia and industry. Dialogues are organised at events such as the Hamburg Sustainability Conference (HSC). BMZ thus teams up with its international partners to develop guidelines for using AI to overcome global challenges.