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2025 LG QNED EVO TRANSFORMS WITH CORE OLED TV INNOVATIONS: TRUE WIRELESS, AI AND HYPER-PERSONALIZATIONThe average rate on a 30-year mortgage in the U.S. eased this week, though it remains near 7% after mostly rising in recent weeks. The rate slipped to 6.81% from 6.84% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Wednesday. That’s still down from a year ago, when the rate averaged 7.22%. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners seeking to refinance their home loan to a lower rate, rose this week. The average rate climbed to 6.1% from 6.02% last week. A year ago, it averaged 6.56%, Freddie Mac said. Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, including the yield on U.S. 10-year Treasury bonds, which lenders use as a guide to price home loans. The yield, which mostly hovered around 4.4% last week and was below 3.70% in September, has eased this week. It was at 4.23% at midday Wednesday. Elevated mortgage rates and rising home prices have kept homeownership out of reach of many would-be homebuyers. U.S. home sales are on track for their worst year since 1995. “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage moved down this week, but not by much,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Potential homebuyers are also waiting on the sidelines, causing demand to be lackluster. Despite the low sales activity, inventory has only modestly improved and remains dramatically undersupplied.” Mortgage rates slid to just above 6% in September following the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut its main interest rate for the first time in more than four years. While the central bank doesn’t set mortgage rates, its actions and the trajectory of inflation influence the moves in the 10-year Treasury yield. The central bank’s policy pivot is expected to eventually clear a path for mortgage rates to generally go lower. But that could change if the next administration’s policies send inflation into overdrive again. September’s pullback in mortgage rates helped drive a pickup in sales of previously occupied U.S. homes last month, and likely helped give a boost to demand early last month. The National Association of Realtor’s pending home sales index rose 2% in October from the previous month, its third straight monthly increase, the trade group said Wednesday. Pending transactions were up 5.4% compared to October last year. A lag of a month or two usually exists between when a contract is signed and when the home sale is finalized, which makes pending home sales a bellwether for future completed home sales. Still, because mortgage rates have mostly kept rising in recent weeks, that could dampen sales this month and next in what's already typically a slow season for the housing market. “Though mortgage rates are likely to decline in the coming weeks, the dip will be too little and too late to boost home sales in December,” said Ralph McLaughlin, senior economist at Realtor.com. Forecasting the trajectory of mortgage rates is difficult, given that rates are influenced by many factors, from government spending and the economy, to geopolitical tensions and stock and bond market gyrations. Economists predict that mortgage rates will remain volatile this year, but generally forecast them to hover around 6% in 2025.
US President-elect Donald Trump has filed a brief urging the Supreme Court to pause a law that would ban TikTok the day before his January 20 inauguration if it is not sold by its Chinese owner ByteDance. “In light of the novelty and difficulty of this case, the court should consider staying the statutory deadline to grant more breathing space to address these issues,” Trump’s legal team wrote, to give him “the opportunity to pursue a political resolution”. Trump was fiercely opposed to TikTok during his 2017-21 first term, and tried in vain to ban the video app on national security grounds. The Republican voiced concerns – echoed by political rivals – that the Chinese government might tap into US TikTok users’ data or manipulate what they see on the platform. US officials had also voiced alarm over the popularity of the video-sharing app with young people, alleging that its parent company is subservient to Beijing and that the app is used to spread propaganda, claims denied by the company and the Chinese government. Trump called for a US company to buy TikTok, with the government sharing in the sale price, and his successor Joe Biden went one stage further – signing a law to ban the app for the same reasons. Trump has now, however, reversed course. At a press conference last week, Trump said he has “a warm spot” for TikTok and that his administration would take a look at the app and the potential ban. Earlier this month, the president-elect met TikTok chief executive Shou Zi Chew at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Recently, Trump told Bloomberg he had changed his mind about the app: “Now (that) I’m thinking about it, I’m for TikTok, because you need competition.” “If you don’t have TikTok, you have Facebook and Instagram – and that’s, you know, that’s Zuckerberg,” he added. Facebook, founded by Mark Zuckerberg and part of his Meta tech empire, was among the social media networks that banned Trump after attacks by his supporters on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The ban was driven by concerns that he would use the platform to promote more violence. Those bans on major social media platforms were later lifted. In the brief filed on Friday, Trump’s lawyer made it clear the president-elect did not take a position on the legal merits of the current case. “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute,” John Sauer wrote in the amicus curiae – or “friend of the court” – brief. “Instead, he respectfully requests that the court consider staying the act’s deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case, thus permitting President Trump’s incoming Administration the opportunity to pursue a political resolution of the questions at issue in the case.” A coalition of free speech groups – including the American Civil Liberties Union – also filed a separate brief to the Supreme Court opposing enforcement of the law, citing censorship concerns. “Such a ban is unprecedented in our country and, if it goes into effect, will cause a far-reaching disruption in Americans’ ability to engage with the content and audiences of their choice online,” the rights groups’ filing read, in part. The US apex court agreed last week to hear TikTok’s appeal against Biden’s move to force its owner to divest from it or face a ban. With oral arguments scheduled for January 10, the case would have to be heard at a breakneck speed. TikTok argues that the law, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, violates its First Amendment free speech rights. AFP, among more than a dozen other fact-checking organisations, is paid by TikTok in several countries to verify videos that potentially contain false information. TikTok has more than 170mn US users. Bytedance has previously said the Justice Department has misstated its ties to China, arguing its content recommendation engine and user data are stored in the United States on cloud servers operated by Oracle Corp while content moderation decisions that affect US users are made in the United States as well. Related Story Al Majd Law Firm holds workshop on combating counterfeit auto parts Trump scores emphatic victory over Harris
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Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game for the 49ers with a shoulder injuryBased on Company's Dual-Track Strategy, the 2025 QNED evo Lineup Boasts Unprecedented Technological Advancements ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics USA (LG) unveiled today its renewed 2025 QNED evo lineup, featuring new proprietary wide color gamut technology, a true wireless viewing experience that transmits 4K 144Hz1 images without loss of picture quality or delay, AI-enhanced picture and sound processing, and an ultra-personalized AI-based customer experience via webOS 25. LG continues to strengthen its competitiveness in the global premium TV market through a dual-track strategy. This strategy emphasizes LG's market-leading, self-emissive OLED lineup and the QNED evo series – a premium LCD TV lineup that incorporates key OLED innovations, such as advanced AI capabilities and wireless convenience. The 2025 QNED evo lineup boasts an improved color gamut compared to previous models by applying LG's new proprietary wide color gamut technology, Dynamic QNED Color Solution, which replaces quantum dots. This unique technology enables light from the backlight to be expressed in pure colors that are as realistic as they appear to the eye in general life. With the application of Dynamic QNED Color Solution, the entire 2025 QNED evo lineup is 100 percent certified by global testing and certification organization Intertek for Color Volume, measuring a screen's ability to display the rich colors of original images without distortion. In 2025, LG will also unveil the QNED evo (QNED9M) featuring its True Wireless 4K technology. This innovation, previously exclusive to the top-tier OLED evo model (M Series) last year, will now be available in the QNED evo lineup. This expansion allows viewers to enjoy high-definition 4K content wirelessly, without compromising on picture quality or experiencing delays, moving beyond the limitations of traditional wired connections.2 The wireless solution utilizes a separate Zero Connect Box to transmit high-definition video at up to 4K resolution and a refresh rate of 144Hz. The QNED evo is designed to minimize screen disconnection and deliver natural images even in a wireless setup. Additionally, it has earned AMD FreeSync Premium certification. The TV itself requires only a power cord, allowing for more convenient storage of gaming consoles and set-top boxes. The company additionally continues to raise the picture and sound quality of its QNED evo lineup by offering more powerful editions of its proprietary AI processors. 2025 LG QNED evo models are equipped with the α8 AI Processor, offering close to 70 percent improvement in AI performance compared to the previous year. This processor delivers picture and sound at a level worthy of ultra-large TVs. These AI capabilities include more advanced upscaling, analyzing the filmmaker's intent to adjust picture noise and presenting faces, objects, text and backgrounds more naturally. Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro breaks down each scene to fine-tune HDR effects and brightness for each zone. Moreover, AI converts 2-channel sound sources to virtual 9.1.2 channel sound for a richer audio experience. It also distinguishes voices from background sounds and makes them clearer, while audio sounds natural as if it were coming from the center of the TV screen. The new AI Magic Remote, included with the 2025 QNED evo, features a new AI button for easy analysis of viewing preferences and recommendations on what to watch and which apps to use. Personalization is further enhanced by Voice ID, Generative AI Gallery3 and customized TV picture and sound quality modes. A short press on the AI button guides users to relevant keywords and TV features, while a long press enables personalized searches based on a large language model (LLM4). For example, if a user is planning a trip to France, they can ask their remote, "Recommend movies to watch on my trip to Paris." The AI will understand the context and suggest movies set in the French capital, including specific genre recommendations based on the user's viewing preferences. LG's proprietary smart TV platform, webOS25, elevates the customer experience by offering hyper-personalized service advancements and content through its best-of-all-time AI features and the ongoing webOS Re:New Program, which includes webOS upgrades for five years. The 2025 QNED lineup will also now range from 40 to 100 inches as LG is expanding its QNED lineup by introducing a 100-inch option in response to customer demand for ultra-large, premium LCD TVs. "Our renewed 2025 LG QNED evo lineup inherits OLED's differentiated picture quality along with a true wireless viewing experience and ultra-personalized solutions to deliver an outstanding super-large viewing experience that no other LCD TV can offer," said Hyoung-sei Park, president of the LG Media Entertainment Solution Company. 1 LG 2025 QNED9M series TVs provide support for 4K@144Hz. 2 Wireless transmission refers to the transferring of video and audio signals between a TV screen and the Zero Connect Box. Visually lossless, based on internal test results with ISO/IEC 29170-2 and measurement results may vary depending on connection status. 3 Only available in Korea and the U.S. 4 Only available in Korea and the U.S. About LG Electronics USA LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $68 billion global innovator in technology and manufacturing. In the United States, LG sells a wide range of innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, commercial displays, air conditioning systems, and vehicle components. LG is an 11-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. The company's commitment to environmental sustainability and its "Life's Good" marketing theme encompass how LG is dedicated to people's happiness by exceeding expectations today and tomorrow. For more information, visit . Media Contacts: LG Electronics USA LG Electronics USA Chris De Maria Christin Rodriguez [email protected] [email protected] LG-One [email protected] SOURCE LG Electronics USA MENAFN17122024003732001241ID1109004904 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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WASHINGTON — Federal officials said Tuesday that drones spotted along the East Coast over the past month do not pose a threat to national security or public safety. Four federal agencies — the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Defense — issued a statement Tuesday after weeks of reports about drone activity. In some cases, airports have been closed as a result of the drones. The Pentagon statement said that the majority of the more than 1 million drones registered with the FAA are used legally for commercial, recreational or governmental purposes. The agencies noted that the recent sightings likely involve a combination of these legal activities and misidentifications of manned aircraft, helicopters, or even celestial objects such as stars. The statement said the agencies have "not identified anything anomalous." Despite this, the agencies acknowledged the public's concern and urged Congress to expand counter-drone authorities to address potential future threats better. U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., posted on X this week that he would move for the Senate to pass legislation "giving local officials the tools and authorities necessary to act quickly and in lockstep with government agencies." The FBI received more than 5,000 reports of drone sightings in recent weeks, with fewer than 100 warranting further investigation. Advanced detection technologies and personnel were deployed to assist local and state authorities with monitoring and assessing the sightings. At a news conference on Monday, President-elect Donald Trump said the U.S. government and military know what is happening and where the drones are coming from. "Something strange is going on," he said. "For some reason, they don't want to tell the people, and they should." The joint statement comes amid heightened public interest and speculation surrounding the origins and intentions of the mystery drones. Law enforcement officials in Virginia recently reported "suspicious" drone sightings appearing over counties located within an hour outside of the Washington, D.C. metro area containing sensitive military bases and national security facilities. The increase in unexplained drone activity in the skies over New Jersey and Pennsylvania caused alarm among state officials who were already critical of federal authorities' response to the drones and demanded action. The agencies said there had been a "limited number of sightings" of drones over military facilities in New Jersey and elsewhere, including restricted airspace. They continued that sightings over Department of Defense installations aren't new and reiterated that the department takes unauthorized access to its airspace seriously and is closely working with federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities. "Local commanders are actively engaged to ensure there are appropriate detection and mitigation measures in place," according to the Pentagon.
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LOS ANGELES , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- There is still plenty of time to experience the Los Angeles Auto Show ® ! Open through Sunday, Dec. 1 , including Thanksgiving Day ( Nov. 28 ), visitors of all ages can enjoy special exhibits, major attractions, hundreds of new cars on display, and a thrilling range of test ride and drive opportunities at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Car enthusiasts and shoppers are invited to touch, feel and experience all new car, SUV and truck models, spanning gas, hybrid, and electric options, all in one location from 30 premium brands including Acura, Alfa Romeo, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, INEOS, Jeep, Kia, Lucid, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche DTLA, RAM, Rivian, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, VinFast, Volkswagen and Volvo. Test drives and rides are the best ways to test out the latest models in a safe and stress-free environment. This year's LA Auto Show offers several indoor and outdoor test track experiences across the LA Convention Center. Included in a ticket purchase: This year's LA Auto Show offers car enthusiasts of all ages and levels of interest an experience they will never forget with the following activations: And so much more with food trucks on weekends, plenty of activities for kids and families, celebrity and sports autograph signings, luxury ride-ons, hard-to-find collectibles and something new around every corner. The Los Angeles Auto Show is open through Sunday, Dec. 1 including Thanksgiving Day. Operating hours are: Wednesday, Nov. 27 , 11AM to 7PM ; Thursday, Nov. 28 , 9AM to 4PM ; Friday, Nov. 29 - Saturday, Nov. 30 , 9AM to 10PM ; and Sunday, Dec. 1, 9AM to 6PM . Tickets Tickets for the Los Angeles Auto Show are on sale now and can be purchased online at laautoshow.com/tickets with a credit card or bank card. Stay up to date with the latest show news, updates, and information, follow the LA Auto Show on X , Facebook , Instagram , or LinkedIn and sign up for alerts at laautoshow.com . About the Los Angeles Auto Show & AutoMobility LA Founded in 1907, the Los Angeles Auto ShowTM is recognized as one of the world's most influential automotive events. The show celebrates the enduring love that Angelenos have for their cars and offers a global platform for industry debuts, technology, and innovation. Doors are open to the public Nov. 22 – Dec. 1 and the show runs for 10 full days, including Thanksgiving Day. It is a must-attend event for prospective car buyers, industry executives, influencers, car enthusiasts, and for families wanting to enjoy an unforgettable day out during the holiday season. Held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the LA Auto Show contributes several hundred million dollars to the city's economy, stimulates the local job market, and is the number one revenue generator for the Center. On Nov. 21 , AutoMobility LA 2024 , the show's media and industry day, included a range of groundbreaking debuts and announcements, and a conference program featuring the leading minds in automotive and technology. These experts explored the most pressing industry issues in a series of presentations and panel discussions from AutoMobility LA's main stage. Media Contacts Kat Kirsch kat@katkirsch.com Tania Weinkle tania@taniaweinkle.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/all-roads-lead-to-2024s-los-angeles-auto-show-offering-unmatched-guest-experiences-vehicle-debuts-and-special-exhibits-for-attendees-of-all-ages-302317764.html SOURCE Los Angeles Auto Show
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Tam Union District ethnic studies will be scrutinized As a Tamalpais High School alum (class of 1977), I recall something our social studies teacher, Mr. Philbrook, once said to our school: “You can gauge how the rest of the country will be in five years by looking at Tam High.” He said we were, “the meter for the rest of the country.” Now, after following recent discussions at the school board meetings (“Tam Union parents scrutinize ethnic studies plan,” Dec. 19), I look forward to watching Tam High (and the rest of the Tamalpais Union High School District) take the local lead in (hopefully) rolling back the ill-conceived ideas of ethnic studies classes (previously from elements of critical race theory and the DEI movement) that do far more harm than good. — Tim Amyx, Novato US should stop subsidizing the fossil-fuel industry Contrary to sentiments expressed in the recently published Another View commentary by Ryan M. Yonk (“Time to get real about renewables,” Dec. 16), the energy transition to clean renewable energy sources is well underway, especially here in California. I believe the main reason that only 17% of U.S. energy comes from sources that do not emit greenhouse gases today is that the fossil-fuel industry uses its vast wealth to slow this necessary transition. Not only do fossil-fuel companies get our money directly at the gas pump, they’re heavily subsidized with tax credits, sub-market federal royalties, and the like. More significantly, they bear little to no financial liability for selling products that damage our atmosphere. Who pays for that damage? We do, the ones whose home insurance has gone up or gone away, whose houses are destroyed by climate-driven wildfires, floods and hurricanes, whose health is degraded from smokestack and tailpipe emissions. The International Monetary Fund says that, in 2023, the world paid $7 trillion in direct and indirect fossil fuel subsidies. The fossil fuel lobby’s opposition has made the situation urgent. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently announced that the Arctic has flipped from being a carbon sink to a carbon emitter. I expect that will only accelerate wildfires, droughts and flooding. Yes, there will be costs to develop 24/7, greenhouse-gas-free resources — just as there were costs to build today’s fossil-fuel system, and there are costs to run it now. Transitioning responsibly to greenhouse-gas-free energy is far cheaper than continuing reverse-Robin Hood subsidies that result in accelerating climate change. — Ray Welch, Marinwood Hard to see pedestrians at night this time of year I submit this letter as a public service announcement to everyone walking at dusk or after dark in Marin. It’s the darkest time of year — we just passed 2024’s shortest day and its earliest sunset. The early darkness makes it harder to see people walking. So, if you are walking — possibly in all dark clothing with a black dog — do not expect to be seen by passing or turning cars. Nobody wants to hit you or your dog (or your kid in a stroller, for that matter). Would it be so hard to wear something reflective? Or maybe use a flashlight? Thanks for reading. — AR Danielson, San Rafael Sausalito council should not declare a surplus I am responding to former Sausalito Mayor Ron Albert’s letter published Dec. 14 regarding the letter critical of Sausalito City Council spending that I had published in November. I think Albert misunderstood my point. As a former council member, I believe that, much like a homeowners association can’t transfer funds from its reserve account to the operating account (and then declare a budget surplus), a city shouldn’t be allowed to transfer funds from its designated reserve accounts to the general operating account and declare a budget surplus. That is why I called the members of the City Council ‘”wishful thinkers.” If the council doesn’t focus on fixing the infrastructure instead of costly special interest projects, I think Sausalito (with its $500,000 insurance deductible) is headed toward bankruptcy. Considering that it’s mostly the same people on the City Council as before the election, and that they are pushing the same projects, I am worried. I think Albert is misguided about the role of city staff in these actions. From my perspective, the City Council sets policies and the city manager carries them out. Responsibility lies at these levels. — Carolyn Ford, Sausalito
But if a recession does hit, Illinois is ready to cushion the fall, a new economic study found. The state is in better shape to withstand a downturn than it was during either the 2007 Great Recession or the 2020 COVID recession, according to the joint study published Monday by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “No state in the nation is recession proof,” said report co-author Frank Manzo, an economist at the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, a La Grange-based nonpartisan research organization. “But Illinois is better positioned to overcome the challenges and withstand the forces that trigger recessions than at any point in recent history.” The elimination of the general fund deficit and replenishing the state’s “rainy day” fund with $2 billion lead the list of post-pandemic improvements that should help Illinois weather a possible recession with a little less pain than the previous two, the study found. Other improvements include a work-share program implemented in 2021 that allows employers to avoid layoffs by temporarily reducing workers’ hours while enabling them to receive pro-rated unemployment benefits. In addition, the state’s 2019 Rebuild Illinois capital plan, bolstered by federal infrastructure funding during the Biden administration, will invest $41 billion in roads, bridges, rail, air and public transit over the next six years, providing ongoing jobs and economic activity — even through a downturn. “The research shows that states which prioritize investments in skilled labor and infrastructure not only are more resilient, but also have higher growth rates,” Manzo told the Tribune. “So they do have better performing economies, regardless of whether they fall into recession or not.” A post-pandemic recession seemed inevitable to many economists last year after the Fed made 11 rate hikes over 16 months in an effort to curb inflation , which peaked at an annual rate of 9.1% in June 2022, due largely to supply chain disruptions. Next week, with inflation hovering at about 2.5% and the economy relatively stable, the Fed will weigh its third rate cut since September amid increasing optimism that a recession can be avoided. But a September report by the Peterson Institute for International Economics predicts that Trump’s tariff and deportation policies will cause consumer prices to rise and inflation to spike to as high as 9.3% by 2026, once again raising the specter of imminent recession. Manzo puts the odds of a recession during Trump's second term at about 30%, meaning Illinois needs to be ready. “When there’s a 30% chance of precipitation, most people pack an umbrella or bring a raincoat,” Manzo said. “And it’s really no different for states, which must work to create resilient economies that are prepared to weather the next downturn.” Despite its improved recession resilience, Illinois is still grappling with significant economic problems, including its worst-in-the-nation standing for unfunded pension liability and one of the highest corporate tax rates among the states, a competitive development disadvantage. Illinois has lost a number of big-name corporations to other states in the post-pandemic landscape, including billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin’s investment firm, Citadel, which moved from Chicago to Miami in 2022. Other recent high-profile exits included Boeing and Caterpillar. Even in some economic areas in which it has improved, such as the rainy day fund to keep the state operating during a downturn, which is up 700% since the Great Recession, Illinois still lags most other states, Manzo said. But the study did not compare Illinois to other states, only against itself as it navigated two recessions and the pandemic during the new millennium. And on that measure, Illinois is in much better financial shape, with nine upgrades from credit rating agencies since 2021. For Illinois employers and employees alike, the state’s improved financial health could make “a material difference” when the next recession hits, according to report co-author Robert Bruno, a professor of labor and employment relations at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and director of the Project for Middle Class Renewal. “People would likely, if a recession occurred, experience less hardship, there would be more shock absorbers available,” Bruno said. “We think there’s a real high probability that there would be less stress on families and on workers and on businesses.” Inflation and the economy were key issues during the recent presidential campaign, with divergent views on which party’s platform was more likely to put the U.S. on the road to recession. Vice President Kamala Harris touted a letter signed by 23 Nobel Prize-winning economists who said the Democratic nominee’s economic agenda was “vastly superior” to Trump’s plan for higher tariffs, which they said would lead to higher prices and larger deficits. Meanwhile, the Republican presidential campaign leveraged the high cost of eggs and frustration over inflation — among other topics — to a victory in November, returning Trump to the White House for a second term of promised tax cuts and tariffs after a four-year hiatus. Bruno said national politics, however, played no part in the Illinois recession study, which was undertaken before either party had even chosen a candidate, much less formulated an economic plan. But if the long-predicted recession does happen during the second Trump administration, Illinois may make some red and blue states green with envy over its improved resilience to the downturn. “A national recession is going to be felt everywhere if it happens,” Bruno said. “Illinois is better prepared to deal with it than they were. You can’t prevent it, but you can do better.”
Experts and other resource persons at the 2024 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) have been sharing views and perspectives on a wide range of digital transformation subjects including how countries can tailor their efforts towards building trusted digital ID systems which they say are indispensable in driving their growth and development ambitions. The IGF is taking place in-person and online from December 15 – 19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the theme “Building our multistakeholder digital future” with hundreds of delegates from governments, international development organizations, industry and civil society taking part. The discussions have been broad and varied but with one objective – to chart ways through the estimated 2.5 billion people who are said to be currently offline in the world due to different forms of divide can be digital included. One session on trusted digital IDs featured experiences from the host country and Namibia, with speakers including Bandar Al-Mashari, Saudi Arabia’s assistant minister of interior for Technology Affairs; Emma Theofelus, Namibia’s information minister, and Siim Sikkut, managing partner of Digital Nation, a digital change advisory network. The speakers noted factors that must be considered in building digital ID systems that can be trusted, mentioning country experiences in terms of innovation, inclusion and finding solutions to local needs, to internet platform Digwatch. Such systems, they held, require putting in place the right legal and policy frameworks and the right technology such as biometrics, blockchain and other AI-based solutions that can guarantee high-level security, privacy and data protection. Other aspects raised by the speakers include the need to dismantle factors that stifle collaboration and partnerships and for countries to recognize their peculiarities and implement their projects in a phased manner, reflecting customized realities. A campaign like the is one global movement that aims to encourage a spirit of collaboration among countries of the Global South to support each other in building safe, inclusive and interoperable digital public infrastructure (DPI), including trusted digital ID systems. Another session during the Forum focused on the Global Digital Compact and the challenges and opportunities for implementing it. The Global digital Compact is a framework proposed by the UN to guide the inclusive and responsible use of technologies through measures such as closing the digital divide, protecting digital rights, ensuring data privacy, and promoting ethical development and deployment of artificial intelligence. DPI has in the Global Digital Compact, adopted as part of the Pact for the Future during the UN General Assembly in September. Various speakers, drawn from UN agencies, governments and civil society organizations shared thoughts on how countries can disband barriers to their digital transformation efforts by closing infrastructural gaps and integrating technology into every-day life in line with the principle of the Compact. It was observed during the IGF session that while some level of progress has been recorded in achieving these goals, there are issues that still need to be addressed. In the course of the session, speakers noted that there are divides at different levels of society which must be addressed, and action aimed at addressing these challenges must reflect local realities. Public-private partnerships were mentioned as one of the ways of closing the digital divide and translating initiatives enshrined in global frameworks into concrete local action to improve people’s lives. Some speakers also suggested accelerating local efforts on existing frameworks, while also paying attention to capacity building and choosing the right approaches to govern new technologies like generative AI, measuring progress and maintaining the steam. Meanwhile, in another session, ideas were also shared about aligning the Global Digital Compact framework and that of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in order to ensure unity of purpose in meeting global digital transformation objectives. During the session, the IGF was identified as a key player in uniting these efforts through the development of performance targets for the Global Digital Compact implementation, although concerns were raised about the Forum’s declining mandate and funding challenges, which beg for fresh solidarity and innovative solutions. Apart from discussing the Global Digital Compact and its relation with WSIS, discussants also touched on coordination and harmonization of digital cooperation processes, challenges and opportunities in digital cooperation, progress sand gaps in digital inclusion, and they role civil society organizations can play. | | | | |