Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang (唐鳳) on Wednesday participated in the Freedom Online Coalition Ministerial meeting, where US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a keynote remark, on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The coalition held a roundtable discussion during the meeting to explore methods to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals through inclusive digital policies.
Participants also discussed how best to respond to the risks brought by emerging technologies and establish corresponding security measures, the Ministry of Digital Affairs said on Thursday.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Digital Affairs via CNA日
Tang said Taiwan supports Blinken’s remark that countries around the world should ensure artificial intelligence (AI) systems “uphold human rights, international law, democratic values while managing safety risks.”
Taiwan signed A Declaration for the Future of the Internet along with more than 60 partner countries last year, which is a commitment to building the Internet into a digital public infrastructure that safeguards human rights, freedom and mutual trust, she said.
French ambassador for digital affairs Henri Verdier, met with Tang after the meeting to exchange ideas on promoting transnational public programs, the ministry said.
Information systems jointly developed by civil society and the government can effectively respond to social needs, Verdier said, adding that France would continue to invest in such digital innovation infrastructure.
Tang said the ministry has been promoting open-source localization, which included field testing communication software Element in Lienchiang County.
The software enables calls through satellite even when submarine cables fail, which could help create a resilient digital communications environment, she said.
Established in 2011, the coalition is dedicated to protecting human rights, freedom and democracy online through transnational cooperation. Taiwan joined the coalition as an observer this year, the ministry said.
Later that night, Tang was invited to attend a symposium held by the International Strategy Forum to discuss global governance and emerging technologies with government officials, along with industry representatives, it said.
Regulations regarding AI applications should be formulated by the international community to ensure digital trust and human rights, Tang said.
Taiwan is striving to provide all citizens with the opportunity to contribute to the safe and sustainable development of AI, as well as the ability to identify and mitigate the risks posed by this emerging technology, she said.
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