Inaugural address by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to focus on the concept of the 'Geo-Digital Age'
The Global Technology Summit (GTS) 2023, India’s flagship event on geo-technology, is set to take place in New Delhi from December 4-6, 2023. It stands as a prestigious international forum, uniting industry experts, policymakers, scientists, and various stakeholders to discuss the evolving landscape of technology and geopolitics.
 
The summit's meticulously curated agenda includes a range of critical discussions and presentations. The theme for this year’s Summit is "Geopolitics of Technology.”
 
According to the MEA, GTS-2023 will discuss vital questions related to technology, its impact on geopolitics and policy issues related to new, critical and emerging technologies, digital public infrastructure, export controls, data protection, as well as cross-cutting policy issues related to innovation and national security.
 
GTS-2023 will convene about a hundred speakers and thousands of participants including policymakers, industry experts, academics, technocrats and innovators from India and across the world. Ministers and senior government officials from several countries including India, USA, UK, Germany, Singapore, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Lithuania, Brazil and the European Union will also participate in the Summit.
 
Over the course of three days, GTS-2023 will have over 40 public sessions, keynote addresses, ministerial addresses, panel discussions, book launches, and other related events.
 
Co-hosted by the Policy Planning & Research Division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India and Carnegie India, the event is set to begin with an inaugural address by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. His speech will focus on the concept of the 'Geo-Digital Age', a term encapsulating the integration and influence of digital technologies in global geopolitics and international relations.
 
Following this, Nandan Nilekani, the co-founder of Infosys, one of India's leading multinational corporations that provides business consulting, information technology, and outsourcing services, will present a keynote address. His talk will explore 'Digital Public Intelligence' (DPI), emphasizing its future and impact in India. The idea involves utilizing digital technologies and data to enhance public services and governance.
 
Salima Bah, the Minister of Communication, Technology, and Innovation of Sierra Leone, will also contribute to the summit by providing a ministerial perspective. Her address is expected to shed light on Sierra Leone's strategies and viewpoints regarding the intersection of technology, communication, and innovation, potentially offering insights into the country's digital transformation initiatives and policies.
 
A panel discussion on 'The Future of Artificial Intelligence' will explore the shift towards advanced generative AI models and the implications for global regulatory convergence.
 
Other significant sessions include a book discussion on India's data governance approach, a keynote on 'National Security and Technology' by Jonathan Finer, U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor, and a panel focusing on 'Globalizing DPI' – an initiative spearheaded during India's G20 Presidency.
 
There will additionally feature focused discussions on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology. This dialogue will emphasize the importance of balanced regulation in both fields. Given the rapid advancements in AI and biotech, such regulation is crucial to ensure safe, ethical, and effective development and application of these technologies.
 
The conference will also host a specialized session, characterized as a lightning talk that will delve into the geopolitics surrounding critical minerals and materials. This talk aims to highlight the vital role these resources play in the technology supply chains.
 
The 'Global Agenda for DPI' panel at the conference will focus on exploring the collaborative opportunities inherent in digital public infrastructure. This panel will emphasize the importance of effective governance and sustainability in the development and implementation of DPI. The discussion is expected to cover how various stakeholders, including governments, private sector entities, and civil society, can work together to harness the potential of digital infrastructure in a way that is both sustainable and well-governed. This would involve addressing the challenges and opportunities of DPI in a global context.
 
In addition, there will be discussions on AI's role in innovation and payments, the use of digital public infrastructures in education and lifelong learning, and the challenges of data protection in the Global South. A panel on 'Community Driven Policy' will highlight the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in policy development.
 
Furthermore, the summit will address 'The Geopolitics of Technology', featuring Seth Center from the U.S. Department of State, and explore 'Fragmentation: The Future of Geopolitics', reflecting on recent global events and their technological implications. The 'Ministerial Conversation' session will include insights from Rajeev Chandrasekhar, India's Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology.
 
Other notable sessions include conversations and panels on navigating the AI landscape, intelligent regulation of AI, early learnings from Generative AI, and building bridges for the future with responsible AI. The summit will also tackle the critical subject of 'Export Controls' in high-technology products, assessing its geopolitical consequences, and chart the way forward for the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).
 
The GTS 2023, through its diverse and forward-looking sessions, brings to the fore its commitment to addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities at the intersection of technology, policy, and society. The presence of influential leaders and thinkers in these discussions highlights the summit's pivotal role in shaping the global technological discourse.