On May 17, the Digital: MGIMO Discussion Club held an online meeting that focused on what internet governance is and the role of AI in internet governance. Director of the Coordination Center for TLD .RU/.РФ Andrey Vorobyev was the speaker.
The center’s director talked about the history of internet development, as well as how and by whom the internet is governed and how artificial intelligence influenced the internet governance process. He also told the participants about the history of the Global Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and the Russian one, RIGF.
“The Russian Internet Governance Forum is one of the oldest in the world. We have already held 11 editions, and the last one, RIGF 2021, took place in April 2021 in a hybrid format,” Andrey Vorobyev said.
He also elaborated on the initiatives to involve young people in the internet governance process, including the first Russian Youth Internet Governance Forum held in April, the election of a youth digital ombudsman and the Coordination Center’s cooperation with various universities. Andrey Vorobyev invited his listeners to take part in the second Summer School on Internet Governance, which the Coordination Center for TLD .RU/.РФ will organize this year.
Participants who wanted to learn more about the internet governance process were recommended to read the book Internet Governance by Jovan Kurbalija. The book was first published in Russian in 2010, and it was initiated, sponsored and promoted by the Coordination Center. The publication was timed to coincide with the first Russian Internet Governance Forum (RIGF 2010). Back then, the third edition was translated, and its popularity among internet users urged two additional print runs. In 2018, the Coordination Center for TLD .RU/.РФ decided to release a new edition, with a new translation of the seventh edition of Diplo’s bestseller. The book almost doubled in volume, now reflecting the latest trends in internet governance.
In conclusion, Andrey Vorobyev answered the participants’ questions. The video of the discussion is available on the MGIMO YouTube channel.
