13 May 2025 | 09:00 – 10:30 CEST | Hemicycle | |
This year’s review of the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society agreed in Tunis in 2005 – the WSIS+20 Review – will conclude with a high level meeting of the UN General Assembly on 16-17 December. This process will reflect on the progress of implementation of the original WSIS outcomes and is expected to set the course of global Internet governance and digital cooperation for the next decade, including the future of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). Following the 28th annual session of the UN’s Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) on 7-11 April which agreed a comprehensive report on the implementation of WSIS outcomes, the next key milestones in the review process include the 20th annual IGF in Lillestrøm on 23-27 June and the annual WSIS Forum which is rebranded this year as the WSIS+20 High Level Event, on 7-11 July in Geneva. EuroDIG will also have the opportunity to submit an input into the stakeholder consultations during the coming months which the Co-facilitators of the review – the Permanent Representatives of Albania and Kenya – are expected to announce shortly. EuroDIG’s messages from its session on WSIS+20 in Vilnius in June 2024 recommended that the review a) should enhance the existing processes of Internet governance, global digital policy and cooperation, and b) renew the IGF’s mandate.

The aims of the plenary session in Strasbourg are:

• to agree new consensus-based messages concerning the modalities for stakeholders – assisted by the platforms of the national and regional IGFs – to engage in the WSIS+20 process.
• to consider what would be desirable outcomes from the WSIS+20 Review.

More details on the wiki.

13 May 2025 | 09:30 – 10:30 CEST | Room 10 | |

This session will explore practical measures to establish effective safeguards and remedies against discrimination in AI systems, particularly in online environments. It will delve into discussions on how to better engage with the groups most at risk, and how to empower human rights supervisory bodies to strengthen oversight and accountability.

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13 May 2025 | 09:30 – 10:30 CEST | Room 8 | |

Europe’s pursuit of digital sovereignty requires a delicate balance between autonomy and global interconnectivity. However, the EU’s reliance on non-European technologies raises questions about the true extent of its sovereignty. Many nations within and beyond the EU face similar struggles, often with fewer resources to develop independent alternatives. Their digital ecosystems are shaped by external powers, reinforcing geopolitical dependencies and limiting equitable access.

Defining digital sovereignty is not just a technical challenge: it is also a cultural and political one. This session will explore strategies for achieving sovereignty without compromising flexibility in an interconnected world, focusing on how Europe can foster a shared vision that respects national autonomy while enabling cross-border collaboration, resilience, and innovation.

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13 May 2025 | 09:30 – 10:30 CEST | Room 7 | |

This session will look at the threats and opportunities that quantum computing poses, such as for cryptography and data protection. Quantum computing is a double edge sword – it threatens today’s encryption, but it also provides new ways to secure data. It will require new frameworks that take proactive steps to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and security standards while enabling innovation to flourish.

More details on the wiki.

13 May 2025 | 11:00 – 12:30 CEST | Hemicycle | |

As neurotechnology advances, our thoughts may no longer be entirely private. A provocative discussion on the current and future state of mental privacy, brain-data regulation, and the human rights implications of technologies that can access or potentially even influence the mind.

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13 May 2025 | 11:30 – 12:30 CEST | Room 10 | |

The Global Digital Compact agreed by the UN member states in September 2024 included objectives on bridging digital divides, expanding digital economy inclusion, fostering a safe, secure, and inclusive digital space that upholds human rights, interoperable data governance, and AI governance for humanity’s benefit. This workshop takes forward the EuroDIG messages agreed in Vilnius in June 2024 to support the aims of the Compact and considers how for the national and regional IGFs can contribute to the implementation of its commitments.

More details on the wiki.

13 May 2025 | 11:30 – 12:30 CEST | Room 8 | |

The rapid growth and importance of technological and digital platforms, tools and applications in many countries poses a number of challenges due to the need to adapt these technologies to the diverse needs and capabilities of diverse users and groups. Technologies, platforms and policies must be designed to be equally accessible for all users, regardless of physical, economic or social and cultural constraints. This session explores the challenges, implications and solutions to digital inequalities in an ever-shifting multicultural society.

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13 May 2025 | 11:30 – 11:55 CEST | Room 7 |

The non-consensual dissemination of intimate images (NCDII) is a policy and regulatory matter that requires collaboration between the government, private sector and civil society.

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13 May 2025 | 12:05 – 12:30 CEST | Room 7 |

The Convention on cybercrime (Budapest convention) was drawn by the Council of Europe in peacetime, but it has already proved and continues to prove its efficiency in terms of military conflicts.

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13 May 2025 | 14:00 – 15:30 CEST | Hemicycle | |

This session will discuss the resilience of critical infrastructure and essential services against the need for stronger cybersecurity requirements. For example, with the October 2024 deadline, NIS 2 has introduced a broader scope that includes digital infrastructure providers as essential providers under the stricter security compliance framework, this is impacting providers by increasing costs and requiring infrastructure upgrades to comply with the regulation. This session will focus on balancing the need for digital sovereignty against the importance of a robust digital infrastructure in Europe.

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13 May 2025 | 14:30 – 15:30 CEST | Room 10 | |

As artificial intelligence becomes a staple in business operations, the question is no longer if companies will adopt AI, but how they do it—and at what cost. Experts will reflect on how companies and institutions can align AI strategies with human rights principles, build trust, and embed responsibility into their digital agendas. Together, we’ll unpack the human, ethical, and operational dimensions of this transformation—from efficiency-driven deployment to concerns over transparency, surveillance, and algorithmic bias.

Join us to discuss the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of innovation, responsibility, and the future of work.

More details on the wiki.

13 May 2025 | 14:30 – 15:30 CEST | Room 8 | |

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) systems present unprecedented opportunities for societal progress, inclusivity, and innovation. Amongst these, Generative AI (GenAI) stands out as for its widespread and diverse use, capable of creating content across various formats. This technology’s ability to produce and disseminate new forms of expression has significant implications for the right to freedom of expression (FoE), a cornerstone of democratic societies. Alongside its potential to enrich public debate, enable artistic creativity, and foster knowledge sharing, GenAI raises critical concerns about the quality, accuracy, and fairness of its outputs, which can shape public perceptions and discourse. Considering GenAI’s profound impact, stakeholders – including policymakers, the private sector, civil society, and individuals – must thoroughly navigate its potential opportunities and risks. The session will investigate GenAI such potentials, including by further building on the work of the Council of Europe Expert Committee on GenAI implications for FoE (MSI-AI) and by encouraging collaborative and informed approaches.

More details on the wiki.

13 May 2025 | 14:30 – 14:55 CEST | Room 7 |

Digital natives, who use AI for writing their homework …
… or legitimate stakeholders in internet governance?

If you are interested in why it is important to include young people in Internet Governance, join us for this practical talk!

More details on the wiki.

13 May 2025 | 15:05 – 15:30 CEST | Room 7 |

In this workshop we will demonstrate the GNU Taler payment system. GNU Taler is an open protocol implementing digital cash in Free/Libre Open Source. The system is developed by a global community and is about to be deployed in Europe.

More details on the wiki.

13 May 2025 | 16:00 – 17:30 CEST | Hemicycle | |

The recent tensions between tech giants from across the Atlantic and European regulators center around fundamental disagreements on the scope of freedom of expression. Politicized charges about censorship are leveled against attempts to rein in disinformation and interference in elections. The session will discuss appropriate European responses to these developments and look for reconciliation possibilities between the diverging approaches.

More details on the wiki.

13 May 2025 | 16:30 – 17:30 CEST | Room 10 | |

AI opens up new opportunities and challenges for security: AI can be used to orchestrate sophisticated cyberattacks, but AI can also be used to detect and defend against cyberattacks. AI itself also introduces new vulnerabilities. AI can be ‘hacked’ by exploiting blind spots introduced by false generalisations in automated learning. AI is often protected against misuse, but it is not impossible to jailbreak through these limitations.

More details on the wiki.

13 May 2025 | 16:30 – 17:30 CEST | Room 8 | |

The strategic relevance of raw materials is growing as Europe seeks to reduce its dependence on external suppliers and strengthen its resilience. This session offers an introduction to the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act, highlighting its goals and key instruments. A case study of extraction within Europe will shed light on both opportunities and challenges. Moreover, the session also discusses the environmental impacts of the CRMA.

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13 May 2025 | 16:30 – 16:55 CEST | Room 7 |

Join us for an engaging session showcasing the innovative outcomes of the Digital Future of Justice Hackathon, with a spotlight on the winning solution – Justice Indexers. We’ll take a closer look at how it was developed, the technology it uses, and how it could support future improvements in the justice system.

More details on the wiki.

13 May 2025 | 17:05 – 17:30 CEST | Room 7 |

Can robots assist doctors, nurses and at home care assistants? What issues should we be aware of and how might we resolve these issues?

More details on the wiki.

13 May 2025 | 18:30 CEST

More details on the wiki.