Shifting Digital Landscapes
AI, Inclusion, and Governance Challenges in Asia-Pacific
The NetMission Case Study Series 2026 presents a collection of case studies on key Internet governance issues, developed by the sub-groups of the NetMission Academy 2026. Drawing from collaborative research, regional analysis, and discussions held during the online academy sessions from December 2025 to February 2026, this series captures critical challenges and emerging trends shaping the Asia-Pacific digital landscape. Through a youth-driven, multi-stakeholder lens, the case studies highlight both the transformative potential of digital technologies and the governance gaps that continue to hinder inclusive, secure, and rights-based digital development.
Chapter 1 (Access & Digital Empowerment) contrasts grassroots innovation in Punjab, India, with controlled digital access in China. While community-led, vernacular digital solutions in Punjab demonstrate how local innovation can enable meaningful access and service delivery, China’s restrictive digital ecosystem highlights how connectivity without openness limits empowerment. The chapter underscores that digital inclusion must go beyond access to ensure usability, trust, and rights.
Chapter 2 (Human Rights Online) explores threats to digital identities through private-sector exploitation and state-led repression. From cyber-dependent crimes involving hacked surveillance footage to internet shutdowns in countries like Myanmar and Afghanistan, the chapter highlights severe violations of privacy, safety, and freedom of expression. It calls for stronger rights-based governance and international cooperation.
Chapter 3 (Cybersecurity & Trust in Digital Systems) examines cybersecurity risks through deepfake fraud in Hong Kong and a major data breach in South Korea. These cases reveal how both AI-driven deception and weak internal governance can undermine trust in digital systems. The chapter emphasizes the need for proactive, multi-stakeholder approaches that combine technical safeguards with institutional accountability.
Chapter 4 (Digital Economy & Emerging Technologies) analyzes governance challenges in the digital economy, focusing on gig work in Malaysia and AI-generated misinformation during crises in Australia. Issues of algorithmic opacity, worker precarity, and the rapid spread of synthetic content highlight growing risks to fairness and trust. The chapter stresses the importance of transparency, accountability, and balanced regulation.
Chapter 5 (Diversity & Inclusion) examines Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) as a critical barrier to meaningful digital inclusion across Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India. It highlights that increased connectivity has intensified online harms, disproportionately affecting women and gender minorities through harassment, abuse, and intimidation. Drawing on case studies and data, the chapter reveals gaps in legal frameworks, weak enforcement, and limited platform accountability. These challenges restrict participation by fostering fear, self-censorship, and withdrawal from digital spaces. The chapter emphasizes that inclusive digital governance must prioritize safety, accountability, and gender-responsive approaches to ensure equitable participation.
These chapters call for a shift from mere connectivity toward meaningful digital empowerment. By bridging governance gaps, strengthening resilience, and fostering collaboration among governments, private sector actors, civil society, and local communities, the region can move toward a more inclusive, secure, and equitable digital future where no one is left behind.
Chief Editors
Nawal Munir & Khushbakht