The seventh edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2018) opened today (Wednesday) with an insightful first dialogue session titled, ‘Governments and the Private Sector… Responsibilities and How they Fit in the Age of Digital Communities’, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. 

An expert panel of speakers comprising Sean Spicer, former White House Press Secretary, Naguib Sawiris, Egyptian media mogul who founded Orascom Telecom, and HE Musapha El Khalfi, Morocco’s Minister Delegate and Official Spokesperson of the Government, took part in the session, which was moderated by Mohammed Khalaf, Director General of Sharjah Media Corporation. The session offered key insights on several issues facing government communication in the digital age, like the gap between public and private sectors in approaching communication with the citizenry, transparency, and responsibility sharing between the public and private sectors with a view to protecting people’s information and interests.  

Sean Spicer expressed his excitement at being part of a significant forum that addresses some of the biggest challenges governments around the world are facing today. He said: “We couldn’t be discussing this topic at a better time in light of some of the issues the world is facing right now. We have got a private sector that is creating technology, which is tremendously good for the economy and society, but it is all happening so fast that there is an aspect of government that needs to figure out its relationship with the private sector. What you don’t want to do is stifle these rapid developments. Children and adults around the world are using every digital application available to them and you can’t stop that. Tomorrow there will be new, more developed apps that they will go on to use. So, the question is where is that balance between protecting citizens without interrupting or stifling the development of new technologies.”

He added: “Most times when we download an app we are requested to agree to terms and conditions that are tediously long and difficult to understand, so most of us just accept without knowing what we are committing ourselves to. Where does all the private information that we share about ourselves, our friends and family go? We will be much better safeguarded if the private sector exercises an increased level of transparency.   

The need for a regulatory mechanism in communication was highlighted by Naguib Sawiris, who said: “Any business approaches anything, including people’s personal data, for profit. The solution is to bring about a concerted regulatory mechanism that not only represents the government, but is comprised of actors in the private sector, NGOs and even individuals. Social media lacks this regulator, and the absence thereof leads to the threat of important data being subjected to misconduct. The recent Facebook issue is an example.”

To the moderator’s question of whether regulations restrict innovation, HE Mustapha El Khalfi remarked: “Digital revolution is an opportunity and a challenge at the same time. It tilts toward the latter when government and private partnerships are absent. Digital security, issuing laws and the protection of individual data are all government responsibilities. When it comes to public services, for example, the technology to safeguard people’s interests is already there. But has the government ventured into it? The government needs to update regulatory laws that allow innovation and at the same time ensure people’s security and freedom.”

All panellists agreed on the need for transparency in communication between the government and private businesses as a way to safeguard people’s interests.

INTERACTIVE SPEECHES

His Highness The Ruler of Sharjah also listened to five interactive speeches that followed.

Tanmay Bakshi, World’s Youngest AI Expert

Tanmay Bakshi, widely acknowledged as the world’s youngest expert on artificial intelligence (AI), told the packed main hall that the radical advances in technology have changed the face of relationships between governments and their citizens.

“Traditional communication meant that there were millions of people trying to make their voices heard to one government and that is simply impossible as an effective form of communication. With the advent of social media, there is now access to real-time feedback which allows governments to immediately gauge public opinion. The communication between citizens and the state is now equal.”

The 14-year-old self-taught AI expert, who has developed multiple apps, published a book, hosted TEDx Talks and spoken at IBM Watson summits around the world, believes it is his generation who will be crucial to maintaining the momentum.