ITU, Indian government discuss digital transformation and international standards

New Delhi – The Fifth Global Standards Symposium (GSS-24), organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the Indian government, concluded today in New Delhi after three days of discussions on the future of digital transformation and the role of international standards. The event, themed "Charting the Next Digital Wave: Emerging Technologies, Innovation, and International Standards," drew a record 1,500 attendees from around the world, including policymakers, industry leaders, and experts.

The symposium highlighted the need for a coordinated approach to the governance and standardization of emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and the Metaverse. Discussions emphasized the importance of inclusive standards development, ensuring participation from all regions and bridging the digital divide between developed and developing nations.

Indian Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, addressed the closing ceremony, stating that international standards should serve as "moral compasses" guiding global progress. He emphasized India's commitment to collaborative standard development, saying, "India is ready to take this journey not alone, but with all of you as partners."

The event included a high-level segment with industry leaders and ministers focusing on innovation and digital public infrastructure. Key sessions explored topics such as open-source technologies, AI governance, and the impact of emerging technologies on public services and industry.

The GSS-24 Outcome Document, presented by Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT), emphasized the following key outcomes:

* Driving Digital Transformation: International standards are crucial for global digital transformation.

* Uniting Global Leaders: GSS-24 facilitated dialogue between industry leaders and policymakers on the impact of standards on cutting-edge technologies.

* Innovation Through Standards: Consensus-based standards can fuel innovation across various sectors.

* Bridging the Gap: The symposium stressed the need to address the standards gap between developed and developing nations.

GSS-24 emphasized AI and the Metaverse's potential in public services and urban planning, urging the ITU to enhance initiatives like the Global Initiative on Virtual Worlds.

* Accelerating SDGs: International standards play a vital role in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

* High-Level Dialogues: Industry leaders and ministers collaborated on the future of innovation and digital public infrastructure.

* Establishing AI Governance: GSS-24 called for robust international standards for AI governance, promoting initiatives like AI for Good and the AI for Skills Coalition.

* Empowering Open Source: The symposium recognized the importance of open-source software in driving innovation and advocated for collaboration with developers.

GSS-24 recognized cities for smart and sustainable initiatives, reaffirming the commitment to the United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) initiative.

The GSS-24 outcomes will be discussed at the upcoming World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24), scheduled for October 15-24, 2024, in New Delhi.