Digital Policy Hub

A collaborative space for emerging scholars and innovative thinkers to share and develop research on the evolution and governance of transformative technologies.

Applying a Tech Lens to the Right to Information: Part 2

Information sovereignty exists when people are part of a healthy and culturally appropriate information ecosystem, in which quality and diverse information is available, accessible and stable and it is collected, stored, managed and disseminated with ethics, meeting peoples’ information needs and preferences for an open, inclusive and plural public sphere.

Paula Martins - Photo

Paula Martins

Digital Policy Hub Doctoral Fellow
Summer 2024 term

Balancing Stakeholder Interests in Bill C-27

The Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA), one part of the Digital Charter Implementation Act or Bill C-27, aims to regulate the development and use of artificial intelligence systems by companies operating in Canada. Another part of the bill, the Consumer Privacy Protection Act (CPPA), aims to regulate the collection and use of Canadians’ personal information by these companies. Both AIDA and the CPPA can be modified to better reflect the interests, and satisfy the demands, of non-governmental actors.

Elia Rasky - Headshot

Elia Rasky

Digital Policy Hub Post-doctoral Fellow
Summer 2024 term

Digital Regulatory Networks and Evolving Internet Governance Spaces

Australia, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have all devised digital regulators forums. These forums increase regulators’ capacity for evolving digital regulations by bringing competition, privacy and communications regulators together to share insights, data and policy approaches toward the regulation of online platforms. The emergence of digital regulators forums can allow for comprehensive digital policy; however, with these forums in early stages, there are questions as to how they will achieve this comprehension.

Dana Cramer

Dana Cramer

Digital Policy Hub Doctoral Fellow
Summer 2024 term

Standards as a Basis for the Global Governance of AI in Research

Artificial intelligence (AI) risk in the research sector will require international governance to ensure the preservation of an independent and reliable global research sector. While many types of governance and safety tools will be necessary, the use of international standardization would be a useful initial phase that could allow for rapid and inclusive governance on which other frameworks could build. International standardization for AI implementation in research institutions could help to build global consensus on preserving and protecting research institutions and their information from AI risk and could help to support other efforts at global AI governance outside of the sector.

Matt Photo

Matthew da Mota

Digital Policy Hub Post-doctoral Fellow
Summer 2024 term

Canada’s Alliance Politics and the Revolution in Quantum Military Affairs

Canada has recognized the importance of the next generation of quantum technologies for a variety of applications; however, Canada’s level of public investment remains somewhat modest compared to other leading nations. Increased public investment in quantum science and technology can help secure Canada’s position within its alliance politics, not only because general investment will alleviate allies’ concerns about budgetary allocations, but also because specific quantum technologies are poised to address the unique challenges facing Canada’s key alliances.

Michael Murphy - Headshot

Michael P. A. Murphy

Digital Policy Hub Post-doctoral Fellow
Summer 2024 term

Generative AI’s Copyright Challenges in Agricultural Extension

Generative AI can be applied in various agricultural extension and advisory services, including farm mechanization, food processing, water management, crop monitoring and livestock management. Most training data sets contain copyrighted works, raising legal questions about their use, especially in agricultural extension services, where training data includes copyrighted images of soil, climate and plant conditions.

Mahatab Headshot

Mahatab Uddin

Digital Policy Hub Post-doctoral Fellow
Summer 2024 term

Countering Fossil-Fuelled Climate Disinformation to Save Democracy

Countering climate disinformation requires a multi-faceted approach that includes global information sharing and collaboration, capacity building and technical assistance, regulatory measures and legal frameworks, engagement with technology platforms, and support for independent journalism and public awareness campaigns.

Andrew Heffernan

Andrew Heffernan

Digital Policy Hub Post-doctoral Fellow
Summer 2024 term

Assessing Satellite Internet Potential in Rural Kenya

This working paper explores the intricate factors affecting the adoption and diffusion of satellite internet technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically in Kenya. With a digital divide focus, this paper seeks to understand why rural Kenyans, who constitute 75 per cent of the population, prefer older, less cost-effective broadband technologies over newer, more affordable satellite internet options.

Fred-Okello_Photo

Frederick (Fred) Okello

Digital Policy Hub Master's Fellow
Winter 2024 term

Technology, Bodies and Emotions: Researching Gendered Gig Work

This working paper demonstrates how the Gig Economies Living Lab (GELL) model can be applied as a framework to conduct policy research through a critical feminist approach that centres the micro-level everyday experiences of workers in the gig economy. The author examines the intersection of technology with individuals’ daily work and life practices in relation to their bodies and emotions.

Laila Mourad - Photo

Laila Mourad

Digital Policy Hub Doctoral Fellow
Summer 2024 term

From Central Banks to Governments and Standards: CBDC Governance in Canada

When it comes to central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), this working paper offers a novel perspective by shifting focus from central banks to the crucial role played by governments. It explores the democratic governance required to make an informed decision on whether to issue a CBDC and, if one is to be issued, how to develop and implement it responsibly.

Ori Freiman - Headshot Mac

Ori Freiman

Digital Policy Hub Post-doctoral Fellow
Summer 2024 term

Digitalization in Korea, Sweden and Canada: Examining Governance

Korea and Sweden have shown significant progress in adopting digital technologies as well as in reckoning with the challenges that digitalization brings. In the case of Canada, while progress has been made in some domains, governance of digitalization has been characterized by more jagged priority setting. Overall, there is a distinct lack of policy durability and targeted focus on digital priorities. As Canada confronts digital transformation, there are policy lessons it can learn from the Korean and Swedish experiences.

Shirley Anne Scharf - Headshot

Shirley Anne Scharf

Digital Policy Hub Post-doctoral Fellow
Winter 2024 term

Farm Data Ownership and Intellectual Property Laws

Expanding climate-smart agriculture relies on deploying artificial intelligence- (AI-) driven digital technologies, such as big data, machine learning and deep learning. Farmers are concerned about sharing their data because they fear it may be mishandled by untrustworthy parties and used against them, particularly as they typically encounter two primary legal challenges in AI-enabled climate-smart agriculture: data ownership and privacy.

Mahatab Headshot

Mahatab Uddin

Digital Policy Hub Post-doctoral Fellow
Winter 2024 term

University of Toronto Libraries: A Case Study for AI Governance

Existing governance structures for data and information in Canada-based research institutions are varied and often overlapping. The sector requires binding standards for machine learning/artificial intelligence (ML/AI) deployment, alongside broad strategic planning, the promotion of safe experimentation with ML/AI tools and the development of frameworks for institutions to mobilize and exchange their data.

Matt Photo

Matthew da Mota

Digital Policy Hub Post-doctoral Fellow
Winter 2024 term

Applying a Tech Lens to the Right to Information: Part 1

The current recognized international standards on the right to information must be expanded to include other crucial dimensions beyond accessibility, such as availability, quality, stability, ethics, cultural appropriateness, agency and usability.

Paula Martins - Photo

Paula Martins

Digital Policy Hub Doctoral Fellow
Winter 2024 term

A Blueprint for AI Integration in the Canadian Armed Forces

Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming the weapon of choice in military conflicts. Despite the advantages of AI-based military applications, such as enhanced data analysis and decision making, the risks are substantial, compounded by the lack of laws governing their use.

Emanuel Lukawiecki - Headshot

Emanuel Lukawiecki

Digital Policy Hub Master’s Fellow
Winter 2024 term

Countering Climate Disinformation in Africa

Climate change is a particularly acute issue for Africa, as the continent’s already fragile environment has been severely impacted. Climate disinformation is an existential risk for many on the continent: misinformation can decrease support for effective mitigation policies and also significantly limit effective adaptation measures.

Andrew Heffernan

Andrew Heffernan

Digital Policy Hub Post-doctoral Fellow
Winter 2024 term

Potential of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations in Developing Countries

Decentralized autonomous organizations provide a modern and promising substitute for the conventional Village Savings and Loan Association model by integrating blockchain and smart contract innovation, thereby allowing community-based finance and governance in developing economies in the Global South to be scaled up.

Tyler Stevenson - Headshot

Tyler Stevenson

Digital Policy Hub Undergraduate Fellow
Winter 2024 term

Universal Convention on Artificial Intelligence for Humanity

The fast-paced integration of large language models into societal facets such as finance and security introduces a new set of complex ethical, legal and rights challenges, emphasizing the need for a unified international governance framework for artificial intelligence (AI). Such a framework underscores the call for a universal convention protecting humanity’s most fundamental rights and values against unethical and unsafe AI systems.

Maral Niazi PhD (7)

Maral Niazi

Digital Policy Hub Doctoral Fellow
Winter 2024 term

Navigating Digital Neocolonialism in Africa

The dominance of foreign entities in African digital infrastructure and data control threatens national sovereignty and perpetuates inequalities, with African data often exploited by foreign corporations, echoing colonial resource exploitation patterns.

Tyler Stevenson - Headshot

Tyler Stevenson

Digital Policy Hub Undergraduate Fellow
Winter 2024 term

Generative AI Policy in Higher Education: A Preliminary Survey

The world of higher education is being transformed by generative artificial intelligence (AI), as instructors, researchers and students begin using this technology for various purposes. If used ethically and responsibly, this technology can enhance teaching, research and learning practices. If used recklessly and unscrupulously, however, it can undermine academic integrity and produce negative educational outcomes.

Elia Rasky - Headshot

Elia Rasky

Digital Policy Hub Post-doctoral Fellow
Winter 2024 term

Artificial Realities: Mitigations against Deepfakes

This working paper delves into strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of deepfakes while simultaneously highlighting the measures that various actors, including states, social media platforms and tech companies, are taking to tackle this issue.

Ozan Ayata - Headshot

Ozan Ayata

Digital Policy Hub Master’s Fellow
Winter 2024 term

Improving Canadian Digital Defences: A National Security Priority

This working paper uses open-source reporting from organizations that experienced cyberattacks, government agency reporting and quantitative analysis using eSentire’s internal data set on cyberattacks detected and responded to in customer environments in North America. This data set demonstrates the value of managed detection and response firms and how they have helped to reduce the cost of cyberattacks to North American organizations by preventing attacks before they have serious financial consequences.

Ryan Westman - Bio

Ryan Westman

Digital Policy Hub Visiting Fellow
Winter 2024 term

Sustainable Data Governance Frameworks in Africa

The nascent digital economy in Africa presents both opportunities for indigenous innovation and development as well as challenges that have the potential to worsen expected gains. This working paper gives an overview of the critical challenges and opportunities for developing sustainable data governance frameworks in the region.

Badriyya Yusuf - Headshot

Badriyya Yusuf

Digital Policy Hub Doctoral Fellow
Winter 2024 term

Assessing the Near Future of Multi-stakeholder Internet Governance

Against the backdrop of a more regulated internet and enhanced digitalization, the United Nations is proposing both a Global Digital Compact and a Digital Cooperation Forum ahead of the Summit of the Future. These have the potential to upend much multi-stakeholder internet governance work, shifting how the internet has been governed since its public release in the 1990s.

Dana Cramer

Dana Cramer

Digital Policy Hub Doctoral Fellow
Winter 2024 term

Forgotten Web3 and Metaversal Technologies in the Wake of AI

Big tech corporations play a significant role in developing and maintaining emerging technologies, such as Web3 and metaversal tech, by providing cloud infrastructure services that enable developers to create and deploy these technologies. Effective regulation requires analyzing the behaviour of entities controlling emerging tech, particularly their political andeconomic motives.

Madison Lee - Photo

Madison Lee

Digital Policy Hub Doctoral Fellow
Winter 2024 term

AI Governance Needs a Climate Change Strategy

With increasing investments in Canada’s artificial intelligence (AI) computing capacity, little attention has been paid to the growing environmental harms that emerge from scaled-up AI developments. To address those harms, this working paper proposes including environmental impact assessments and corresponding limitations on environmentally degrading developments.

Christelle Tessono - Headshot

Christelle Tessono

Digital Policy Hub Master's Fellow
Winter 2024 term

Machine-Learning Theory and Its Policy Implications

The goal of this paper is to present an intuitive summary of computational learning theory, and its application for analyzing the most popular learning algorithms in machine learning, neural networks.

Naod Abraham - Photo

Naod Abraham

Digital Policy Hub Undergraduate Fellow
Fall 2023 term

Patent as a Tool for Facilitating Innovation: Lessons from Green Technology

Despite the adoption of various patent-based mechanisms, the inadequacy of patent systems in incentivizing green technology is well documented and persists. A potential solution to capture more positive externalities associated with green technologies involves the implementation of a patent prize system, also known as a “patent reward.”

Mahatab Headshot

Mahatab Uddin

Digital Policy Hub Post-doctoral Fellow
Fall 2023 term

How Can Impact Assessments Improve Protection from TFGBV?

Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) is a pervasive aspect of digital societies and requires urgent and innovative solutions, which include the adoption of smart regulations. The EU Digital Services Act is a recent example; however, challenges that may jeopardize its potential for success in addressing TFGBV must be addressed.

Paula Martins - Photo

Paula Martins

Digital Policy Hub Doctoral Fellow
Fall 2023 term

The Climate Policy Crisis: Governing Disinformation in the Digital Age

Climate change is the quintessential global challenge, while also perhaps the issue that has experienced the most polarization in recent years. New policies and approaches for policy development and implementation will be required to match the alacrity of the proliferating online flows of misinformation and disinformation.

Andrew Heffernan

Andrew Heffernan

Digital Policy Hub Post-doctoral Fellow
Fall 2023 term

Conceptualizing Global Governance of AI

An institutional framework for global artificial intelligence (AI) governance should incorporate lessons from international organizations to guide AI’s ethical development and deployment within and beyond national borders.

Maral Niazi PhD (7)

Maral Niazi

Digital Policy Hub Doctoral Fellow
Fall 2023 term

Toward an AI Policy Framework for Research Institutions

Research institutions, for example, research libraries, archives and universities, are an essential part of society that are at high risk for artificial intelligence (AI) adoption within basic systems such as search and cataloguing functions. This working paper surveys existing policies for AI in universities, ethical frameworks for library and archive associations, and existing international and national policies that are relevant to helping to construct a policy framework based on existing norms, practices and values.

Matt Photo

Matthew da Mota

Digital Policy Hub Post-doctoral Fellow
Fall 2023 term

Language Power-Up: Are LLMs a Fair Play for International Students?

Large language models through generative artificial intelligence (AI) offer a unique opportunity to bridge linguistic gaps for international students, assisting non-native English speakers while minimizing universities’ costs. This paper also explores the ethical considerations of their usage and suggests a university policy framework for responsible generative AI use in academic settings.

Daria Bielik

Daria Bielik

Digital Policy Hub Master's Fellow
Fall 2023 term