Incubated 12 years ago, the Global Network of Internet and Society Research Centers (NoC) has connected nearly 130 centers worldwide, fostering interdisciplinary research and engagement at the intersection of technology and society.

This year, the 2024 NoC Annual Meeting was held in partnership with the Digital Asia Hub Thailand (DAH.th) in Bangkok, from October 17-18, under the theme ‘The World at a Digital Crossroads: Navigating Uncertainty, Seizing Opportunity.’

Over the two days, more than 50 centers—including universities, research institutes, and organizations from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America—gathered to foster knowledge exchange, mutual learning, and accelerate the implementation of the NoC Roadmap.

Day 1

The first day began with discussions on addressing offline crises through emerging technologies. After a keynote speech and regional perspectives, participants engaged in two panel discussions focused on governance challenges, particularly the impact of technology on democracy and global cooperation. In the afternoon, sessions highlighted academia’s role in navigating the intersection of technology and society, followed by the launch of the HEMISPHERES initiative, a collaborative project between EU and Latin American institutions to address tech policy challenges. The day concluded with a spark talk by Nicole Manger from the German Federal Foreign Office on designing inclusive digital futures and a keynote by Charles Nesson of the Berkman Klein Center on civil discourse and freedom.

Day 2

The second day shifted toward practical insights and collaboration. The morning featured sparks and discussions on cross-sector collaboration within the technology and society space, focusing on lessons learned and future inquiries. Dandy Rafitrandi, a researcher from Safer Internet Lab (SAIL) at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Indonesia, presented SAIL’s ongoing efforts to understand the use and misuse of AI. He also shared valuable lessons from SAIL’s experiences in engaging with a wide range of stakeholders—from government to private sectors.

In the afternoon, the spotlight was on AI governance, with insights from Thailand’s AI Governance Center, including updates on evolving legislation and the upcoming AI Act. The meeting concluded with internal sessions covering NoC’s governance, roadmap updates, and idea pitching, followed by a farewell reception.

As the 2024 NoC Annual Meeting concludes, the journey of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and addressing global challenges continues. The discussions showcased how cross-border collaboration can drive meaningful change, shaping future initiatives and paving the way for innovative solutions to navigate the complexities of today’s digital age.

(Photo credit: Global Network of Internet and Society Research Centers (NoC))