The danger and loss of trust in digital media took centre stage as participants at the 20th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Lillestrøm, Norway, expressed concerns over the rapid spread of misinformation and false AI-generated content.
Discussions highlighted how generative AI’s ability to produce convincing yet false narratives is eroding digital trust, particularly among young users reliant on online platforms.
Held under the theme “Building Digital Governance Together,” the event, hosted by the Norwegian government and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), drew over 9,000 attendees, including policymakers, tech leaders, and civil society representatives.
The milestone gathering celebrated two decades of advancing open, inclusive, and secure digital development.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in his opening remarks, reflected on the forum’s evolution over the past two decades.
He highlighted the recent adoption of the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact, which recognised the Internet Governance Forum as the primary multistakeholder platform for digital governance issues.
Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, emphasised the forum’s critical role as the General Assembly prepares to review the IGF mandate in December.
“We have a critical opportunity to reaffirm and re-energise the IGF’s role as the global home for inclusive dialogue and digital policies,” Junhua said in his closing statement.
He emphasised that the need for safe and secure deployment of digital technologies is a shared responsibility and critical priority for the global multistakeholder community.
Discussions also covered critical areas including data governance, emerging technologies, cybersecurity, universal connectivity, digital rights, and the future of global digital cooperation.
Karianne Tung, Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance of Norway, expressed pride in hosting the forum and its contribution to laying a strong foundation for the forthcoming WSIS+20 process.
“A continued, permanent, and strengthened IGF mandate will be vital in shaping the future of global digital governance,” Tung said in her closing statement.
A key outcome of the forum was the Lillestrøm IGF Messages, which reflect shared priorities and recommendations from participants, offering actionable guidance for policymakers on digital governance, human rights online, and the opportunities and risks of digital innovation.
Participants throughout the week highlighted urgent challenges in the digital landscape, particularly the erosion of digital trust driven by the rapid spread of misinformation, disinformation, and malicious content.
The emergence of generative artificial intelligence has made it easier to produce convincing yet false content, exacerbating risks, particularly for young people who increasingly rely on digital platforms for information and interaction.
The forum emphasised the role of digital technologies in advancing peace, sustainability, and development while addressing the challenges posed by rapid technological advancement.
The Internet Governance Forum, convened by the United Nations Secretary-General, is the global multistakeholder platform for dialogue on digital public policy.
This year’s forum welcomed significant high-level participation from governments, particularly from Africa and the Global South, alongside representatives from leading technology companies, including Meta, OpenAI, and TikTok.
Actor and producer Joseph Gordon-Levitt also participated in discussions exploring the creative and ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence.