United digital front

A transparent and open internet is visionary, but impractical in today's geopolitical climate

- RADHIKA ROY

WHAT IS THE internet? A foundational network of interconnected computers that allows free-flowing communication across geopolitical borders? Amongst other things, it allows you to remain abreast of developments in countries across the world (there are mosquitoes in Iceland now) or remain in touch with a friend who resides in Colombia whom you met while backpacking through Eastern Europe. The internet, by virtue of these characteristics, is visualised as open, free and borderless. However, this open internet seems to be in danger.Countries such as China and Russia have, on their own terms, walled the internet within their borders, impeding access to information within and outside their countries. Techno-democracies such as the US and India have exhibited tendencies to barricade their digital resources and capabilities in the face of rising threats to national security due to emerging technologies. While the US seeks to maintain status quo as the reigning champion in digital innovations, other states such as the EU and India are grappling with attempts to create their own self-sufficient development capacities. On top of that, growing AI technologies, specifically generative AI, are accelerating the transformation of the internet and digital platforms, raising both large opportunities and large risks.

It is in the context of this political conflict and AI boom that Nick Clegg, author of How to Save the Internet, makes the plea for an international collaborative approach that protects the essence of the open internet. Former deputy PM to the UK Prime Minister as well as former president of global affairs at Meta, Clegg brings to the fore an insight from the corridors of power --both in government and in Big Tech. His perspective on how the government and tech companies must interact with each other reflects his unique position.