The Fifth Global Standards Symposium (GSS-24) kicked off today at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Mr. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, marking a historic occasion for India and the Asia-Pacific region. The symposium is organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and has attracted over 1500 global policymakers, ministers, and technology experts.
This symposium plays a critical role in shaping the agenda for the upcoming World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024, also being hosted in India for the first time. The discussions at GSS-24 focus on the future of digital transformation and the importance of global standards in enabling new technologies.
India’s Role in Digital Innovation
During his inaugural address, Mr. Scindia highlighted India’s technological advancements and success stories. He pointed to the rapid deployment of 5G technology, which reached 36 states and union territories in just 22 months, covering 98% of the country’s districts. Mr. Scindia emphasized that this digital leap is expected to bring $450 billion into the Indian economy by 2040.
He also discussed India’s Global Stack, which includes the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), the Aadhar identification system, and the Digi Locker. These innovations have revolutionized digital services in India, serving 300 million users and securely storing over 6.75 billion documents.
Global Standards for Emerging Technologies
Mr. Scindia underscored the importance of global collaboration in innovation, stating, “Innovation will thrive not in isolation but in harmony.” He emphasized that India, as a global hub for telecommunications and digital innovation, is in a pivotal position to drive the future of global standards and ensure digital connectivity for everyone.
One of the key challenges discussed was the rise of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI). Mr. Scindia stressed the need for strong regulatory frameworks and ethical considerations to guide the responsible use of AI, highlighting concerns about privacy, bias, and transparency.
The Importance of Global Standards
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU, also spoke at the event. She emphasized the critical role of international standards in fostering innovation and ensuring that technologies like AI are developed responsibly. According to Ms. Bogdan-Martin, standards are essential for ensuring that emerging technologies can operate seamlessly across borders, promoting global interoperability.
Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), India, highlighted the significance of the symposium in shaping the future of telecommunications. He stressed that the work being done at GSS-24 will play a key role in determining the direction of the telecom industry, particularly in terms of interoperability, scalability, and security.
Building Blocks for the Future of AI
Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), chaired the event. He emphasized that the discussions at GSS-24 are laying the foundation for how AI will serve humanity in the future. “What we make today will define how AI serves our humanity. Our discussions are more than just conversations; they are building blocks of our shared digital future,” he stated.
The event’s focus on shaping international standards for AI and other technologies highlights the importance of collaboration across nations to build a secure and inclusive digital future.
Setting the Stage for WTSA 2024
The Fifth Global Standards Symposium sets the stage for the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), which will take place from October 15 to October 24, 2024, in New Delhi. This event, hosted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), India, will be held for the first time in the Asia-Pacific region. The assembly will bring together global stakeholders to continue discussions on the standardization of telecommunications and how to address the challenges posed by emerging technologies.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
Follow Us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn
