2024 was a transformative year for digital governance. From landmark AI regulations to global efforts to bridge the digital divide, this year’s milestones have already begun shaping the future of technology and inclusivity. Here’s a closer look at the key developments that defined 2024 and the opportunities ahead.
The Rise of AI Governance
The year started with growing concerns about artificial intelligence(AI). Would it spark unparalleled innovation or deepen global divides? By mid-2024, those whispers transformed into decisive actions.
In May, the AI Seoul Summit built upon the 2023 Bletchley AI Safety Summit’s momentum. Governments and tech giants like Google and OpenAI are united in redefining AI governance frameworks. South Korea’s bold $7 billion investment into AI and semiconductors strategically positioned the country to be one of the Asia-based beacons of global leadership in AI innovations. Meanwhile, the EU’s AI Act, rolled out in July, set global benchmarks for transparency and ethical AI deployment. Across the Pacific Ocean, the U.S. took a firm stand on AI security with its National AI Security Memorandum, emphasizing accountability for emergent technologies.
While regulatory frameworks like these aim to curb misuse, the societal impact of AI remains a growing concern. In November, the photographs of flood damage in Valencia, Spain, were widely misinterpreted as AI-generated content, reflecting how AI-created imagery is increasingly distorting our perception of reality and eroding trust in media. Adding to this, during a CNN interview earlier this month, South Korea’s opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, revealed that he initially thought President Yoon’s late-night martial law announcement was a deepfake. His disbelief stemmed from the unconventional timing and lack of prior signals, highlighting how deeply AI-generated imagery has infiltrated societal perceptions. The fact that “deepfake” was his immediate reaction underscores how AI has reshaped public consciousness, even influencing political leaders’ interpretations of real events.
These incidents underscore the need for governance frameworks that extend beyond regulating innovation to address public awareness and trust-building. As 2024 closes, discussions on AI governance are no longer solely about fostering innovation but also about rebuilding confidence in the digital realities shaping our world. Together, this year’s milestones have cemented AI as both the defining challenge and opportunity of our time.
Defending the Digital Realm
As cybersecurity became a global priority in 2024, it became clear that defending the digital realm requires both robust policies and forward-thinking solutions. Countries across the Asia-Pacific region—particularly Singapore and Japan—strengthened their national cybersecurity strategies. Singapore launched a comprehensive cybersecurity initiative to safeguard its Smart Nation goals, while Japan intensified its defense measures, focusing on protecting critical infrastructure.
But cybersecurity isn’t just about defense; it’s also about balancing technological growth with sustainability. For example, Malaysia’s 2024 boom in data centers raised significant concerns about power and water usage. As the country positions itself as a regional tech hub, it faces the challenge of ensuring that its cybersecurity measures align with environmental sustainability. These issues reinforce the point that technological innovation must be paired with responsible resource management.
The rapid expansion of Malaysia’s data centers in 2024 sparked debates over the environmental impact of such growth. The push for new data infrastructure has created thousands of jobs, but also raised concerns about water and power shortages, reminding us that cybersecurity policies need to incorporate environmental considerations in today’s tech-driven world.
Alongside the rise of AI and cybersecurity concerns, quantum computing also moved to the forefront in 2024. With quantum computing’s potential to disrupt current encryption methods, Germany and Japan accelerated their research in quantum-resistant encryption. The growing importance of these encryption strategies was made evident as organizations began preparing for quantum computing’s arrival, emphasizing the need for global cooperation in securing data in the quantum era.
Closing the Digital Divide
As the digital revolution continues, it’s imperative that the benefits of technology reach everyone. In 2024, the gap between the digital haves and have-nots remained a significant challenge. With nearly half the world’s population still lacking reliable Internet access, the year saw substantial efforts to bridge this gap.
The UN’s Digital Public Infrastructure Initiative launched pilot projects in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, connecting millions to affordable Internet. In Southeast Asia, Singapore’s Smart Nation Digital Inclusion Fund expanded its mission to ensure no one was left behind in the digital age, with a particular focus on seniors and low-income families.
In Sri Lanka, community-driven broadband initiatives connected underserved areas to the Internet, proving that local solutions can be more effective than top-down policies. These grassroots efforts became powerful examples of how communities, rather than waiting for national policies, can push for and create their own digital empowerment.
The Road Ahead
As 2025 approaches, the digital world stands on the brink of transformative change. Events like WSIS+20, set for July 2025, will bring together global stakeholders to tackle challenges in technology and inclusivity. The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025, to be hosted in Norway, will be the world’s largest platform for discussing the future of the Internet. IGF 2025 aims to strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration and focus on actionable solutions to critical challenges, including AI ethics, data sovereignty, and equitable digital access.
Quantum computing also looms large, promising breakthroughs while raising urgent security concerns. For instance, Google’s newly unveiled Willow chip demonstrates significant quantum advancements but remains far from threatening modern cryptographic systems. Efforts to develop quantum-proof encryption continue to gain momentum to safeguard sensitive data in this evolving era.
Looking back, 2024 was more than a year of policymaking—it was a year of shaping the story of a connected world. As we move into 2025, the challenge remains: Can governance keep pace with technology’s rapid evolution?
What are we reading & listening
For a glimpse into the possibilities ahead, check out Top Tech Predictions for 2025 from CNBC’s Beyond the Valley Podcast, reflecting on 2024’s key developments and exploring what lies in store for the future of technology.
For those who missed the IGF 2024 workshops, we encourage revisiting sessions where NetMission and DotAsia contributed. Key highlights include:
- WS #75 An Open and Democratic Internet in the Digitization Era – Day 1
- WS #279 AI: Guardian for Critical Infrastructure in Developing World – Day 2
- WS #184 AI in Warfare – Role of AI in upholding International Law – Day 3
We can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store. Until then, thank you for being part of the NetMission journey. Don’t forget to check out our past issues for deeper dives into the topics you care about.
Written by Jenie Fernando (Reviewed by Kenneth Leung and Jenna Manhau Fung)