By Susan Aaronson

February 2, 2021January 27, 2023

Transatlantic Priorities: Data Governance

On January 6, 2021, with the siege of the US Capitol, the world saw the direct and indirect effects of a man and a party willing to move fast and break democracy and global political stability. While we may be slow learners, this lesson will likely push America and Europe closer together. We have been reminded that our democracy is fragile, and we need our allies to help protect it. Throughout disruption, our allies have stood by and encouraged a return to normalcy, e.g. competition and collaboration. But while we may share many norms and objectives, the US and the EU do not share approaches to data governance. Some have even argued that the US, EU, and China are creating separate data realms.

Trump 2.0: Clash of the tech bros

by saaronso | Dec 11, 2024 | AI, Digital Trade, Publications

December 11, 2024 The tech giants courting Trump administration officials have conflicting interests. Getty Images In 2016, tariff man couldn’t care less about tech. Newly elected U.S. President Donald J. Trump knew that the people who created and ran America’s tech...

The Age of AI Nationalism and Its Effects

by saaronso | Sep 30, 2024 | AI, Publications

September 30, 2024 Policy makers in many countries are determined to develop artificial intelligence (AI) within their borders because they view AI as essential to both national security and economic growth. Some countries have proposed adopting AI sovereignty, where...

AI could become the ‘new steel’ as overcapacity risk goes unnoticed

by saaronso | Jul 24, 2024 | AI, Publications

July 24, 2024 Policymakers in the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Japan, the U.K., and the EU have announced huge public investments in artificial intelligence, which follow large private sector investments. Hu Guan – Xinhua – Getty Images In the 19th century,...

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January 8, 2021May 25, 2021

Big Data, Big Problems as Privacy and Bias Concerns Persist

Big data analytics is the secret sauce of the American polity and economy—widely utilized but poorly understood. Organizations use various typesOpens in a new window of big data analytics to make decisions, correlations, and predictions about their constituents or stakeholders. The market for data is big and growing rapidly; it’s estimatedOpens in a new window to hit $100 billion before the end of the decade. But the recipe for data analytics can at times contain a hidden ingredient: bias. Not surprisingly, there is evidenceOpens in a new window that reliance on big data analytical processes can lead to divisive, discriminatory, inequitable, and even dangerous outcomes—collective harms—for some of the people sorted into groups. That needs to change.

Trump 2.0: Clash of the tech bros

by saaronso | Dec 11, 2024 | AI, Digital Trade, Publications

The Age of AI Nationalism and Its Effects

by saaronso | Sep 30, 2024 | AI, Publications

AI could become the ‘new steel’ as overcapacity risk goes unnoticed

by saaronso | Jul 24, 2024 | AI, Publications

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December 14, 2020January 27, 2023

Data Is Divisive: A History of Public Communications on E-commerce, 1998–2020

For 22 years, the members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have been discussing how to govern e-commerce and the data that underpins it. In 2019, some 74 (now 86) nations began to negotiate e-commerce. These talks are conducted in secret and little is known about how they are progressing. However, WTO members issued a wide range of public comments on both the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and the Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce from 1998, when the work program began, to the present. These communications provide context as well as a window into the negotiations.

Trump 2.0: Clash of the tech bros

by saaronso | Dec 11, 2024 | AI, Digital Trade, Publications

The Age of AI Nationalism and Its Effects

by saaronso | Sep 30, 2024 | AI, Publications

AI could become the ‘new steel’ as overcapacity risk goes unnoticed

by saaronso | Jul 24, 2024 | AI, Publications

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April 20, 2020May 25, 2021

Your personal data is being used to fight COVID-19, but the data market needs transparency

Personal data has become essential both to mitigate COVID-19 and to rescue our slowing economy. For example, Google is using its large trove of personal data to track the effectiveness of social distancing. Firms are also using personal data to supply us with goods and services from toilet paper to in-home meetings. Meanwhile, policymakers are using personal data to provide individuals with stimulus checks and unemployment insurance. Governmental bodies are also teaming up with data-sector firms to direct users to testing clinics, inform the public about COVD-19 disinformation or feed workers on the frontlines.

Trump 2.0: Clash of the tech bros

by saaronso | Dec 11, 2024 | AI, Digital Trade, Publications

The Age of AI Nationalism and Its Effects

by saaronso | Sep 30, 2024 | AI, Publications

AI could become the ‘new steel’ as overcapacity risk goes unnoticed

by saaronso | Jul 24, 2024 | AI, Publications

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April 15, 2020January 27, 2023

Data Is Dangerous: Comparing the Risks That the United States, Canada and Germany See in Data Troves

From posting photos and videos to tracking physical activity, apps can do almost anything, but while they may seem like harmless fun, they may also pose a threat to personal data and national security. This paper compares the different responses of the United States, Canada and Germany to data risks posed by popular apps such as FaceApp, Facebook, Strava, TikTok and ToTok. These apps and many others store troves of personal data that can be hacked and misused, putting users (and the countries in which they live) at risk.

Trump 2.0: Clash of the tech bros

by saaronso | Dec 11, 2024 | AI, Digital Trade, Publications

The Age of AI Nationalism and Its Effects

by saaronso | Sep 30, 2024 | AI, Publications

AI could become the ‘new steel’ as overcapacity risk goes unnoticed

by saaronso | Jul 24, 2024 | AI, Publications

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January 26, 2020May 25, 2021

Targeting TikTok, Grindr and FaceApp is not enough – the US needs to lay down the law on data privacy for tech firms

US intelligence and defense officials are increasingly concerned about foreign access to troves of personal data sets. This month, the US Treasury announced new regulations to limit foreign investment in companies that provide data-driven services. Policymakers fear some foreign firms might share that data with adversaries or use it in ways that threaten individuals and the nation.

Trump 2.0: Clash of the tech bros

by saaronso | Dec 11, 2024 | AI, Digital Trade, Publications

The Age of AI Nationalism and Its Effects

by saaronso | Sep 30, 2024 | AI, Publications

AI could become the ‘new steel’ as overcapacity risk goes unnoticed

by saaronso | Jul 24, 2024 | AI, Publications

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October 7, 2019February 24, 2022

The Trump administration’s approach to Artificial Intelligence is not that smart: it’s about cooperation, not domination

The White House hosted a summit on artificial intelligence last month, to discuss how the US government might use AI to improve its services. The US is not alone; many governments see AI as key to their future growth and development.

Trump 2.0: Clash of the tech bros

by saaronso | Dec 11, 2024 | AI, Digital Trade, Publications

The Age of AI Nationalism and Its Effects

by saaronso | Sep 30, 2024 | AI, Publications

AI could become the ‘new steel’ as overcapacity risk goes unnoticed

by saaronso | Jul 24, 2024 | AI, Publications

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October 3, 2019February 24, 2022

The U.S. is missing its chance to be a global leader on Artificial Intelligence

On September 9, the White House hosted a Summit on Artificial Intelligence to discuss how the U.S. government might use AI to improve government services. The U.S. is not alone. Many governments, including China, India, Canada, and Germany see AI as key to their future growth and development.

Trump 2.0: Clash of the tech bros

by saaronso | Dec 11, 2024 | AI, Digital Trade, Publications

The Age of AI Nationalism and Its Effects

by saaronso | Sep 30, 2024 | AI, Publications

AI could become the ‘new steel’ as overcapacity risk goes unnoticed

by saaronso | Jul 24, 2024 | AI, Publications

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August 12, 2019February 24, 2022

How Congress can rein in Trump’s trade tantrums

The Trump administration’s labeling of China as a currency manipulator and its escalation of tariffs on Chinese products are reminders that the United States has transformed from the world’s leading advocate of rules-based trade agreements into a protectionist bully. Yet President Trump’s tariffs do nothing to improve the competitiveness of the firms he’s protecting. Moreover, they undermine trust in the United States as a reliable partner and could plunge many nations into recession..

Trump 2.0: Clash of the tech bros

by saaronso | Dec 11, 2024 | AI, Digital Trade, Publications

The Age of AI Nationalism and Its Effects

by saaronso | Sep 30, 2024 | AI, Publications

AI could become the ‘new steel’ as overcapacity risk goes unnoticed

by saaronso | Jul 24, 2024 | AI, Publications

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July 24, 2019February 24, 2022

Data Is a Development Issue

Many wealthy states are transitioning to a new economy built on data. Individuals and firms in these states have expertise in using data to create new goods and services as well as in how to use data to solve complex problems. Other states may be rich in data but do not yet see their citizens’ personal data or their public data as an asset. Most states are learning how to govern and maintain trust in the data-driven economy; however, many developing countries are not well-positioned to govern data in a way that encourages development.

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