IGF 2026 WS #99 Judging AI: Rights, Trust, and Internet Governance

Description

Judging AI: Rights, Trust, and Internet Governance brings together judges, policymakers, the technical community, civil society, academia, the private sector, and international organizations to examine the judiciary's evolving role in the age of artificial intelligence. As AI increasingly shapes digital societies, courts are being called upon to decide cases involving digital rights, online trust, privacy, cybersecurity, digital evidence, algorithmic decision-making, platform accountability, and cross-border Internet governance. Judicial decisions in these areas are becoming increasingly important in interpreting laws, safeguarding fundamental rights, and strengthening trust in the digital ecosystem.

Building on the successful judiciary-focused sessions at the Internet Governance Forum in 2024 and 2025, this workshop forms part of the Global Judiciary Dialogue on Digital and Internet Governance (GloJuDDIG), an intersessional capacity-building initiative that complements the IGF by strengthening judicial engagement through year-round dialogue, knowledge exchange, webinars, collaborative learning, and the Global Judiciary School of Internet Governance (GloJuSIG).

Using an interactive, multistakeholder, and case-based format, the session will facilitate dialogue between judges and other Internet governance stakeholders on emerging legal and policy challenges presented by AI and digital technologies. Participants will exchange experiences across jurisdictions, identify emerging good practices, and explore how judicial perspectives can contribute to rights-based, trustworthy, and inclusive Internet governance.

By bringing judicial perspectives into multistakeholder dialogue, the workshop will bridge the gap between legal practice and Internet governance policy, fostering greater mutual understanding and helping ensure that emerging governance frameworks are informed by practical judicial experience and the rule of law.

The discussion will also identify opportunities for continued collaboration and capacity building that strengthen judicial engagement and enrich National, Regional, and Global IGF processes throughout the year.

Policy Question(s)

How can judicial perspectives strengthen rights-based, trustworthy, and inclusive Internet governance in the age of artificial intelligence? How should courts balance innovation, fundamental rights, and public trust when deciding cases involving AI, digital platforms, and emerging Internet technologies? How can collaboration between the judiciary and the multistakeholder Internet governance community strengthen judicial capacity and improve responses to cross-border digital challenges?

Expected Outcomes

Expected Outcomes 1.Strengthened understanding of the judiciary's role in Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital technologies, and Internet governance through multistakeholder dialogue and comparative judicial experiences. 2.Enhanced collaboration among judges, policymakers, the technical community, civil society, academia, the private sector, and international organizations. 3.Identification of good practices for balancing innovation, trust, fundamental rights, judicial independence, and the rule of law. Expected Outputs 1.Key recommendations to support judicial capacity-building under the Global Judiciary Dialogue on Digital and Internet Governance (GloJuDDIG). 2.Inputs for webinars, collaborative learning, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and the Global Judiciary School of Internet Governance (GloJuSIG). 3.Stronger judicial engagement in national, regional, and global Internet Governance Forum (IGF) processes.

Reference Document

Format

Roundtable Duration (minutes): 90 Format description: The proposed room layout and session duration are designed to maximize interaction, dialogue, and meaningful participation among judges and other Internet governance stakeholders. Rather than relying on presentations, the workshop will use a moderated, case-based discussion that encourages participants to exchange experiences, compare judicial and policy perspectives, and collaboratively explore practical responses to emerging AI and Internet governance challenges.

The format provides adequate time for concise expert interventions, guided discussion, audience engagement, and interactive questions, ensuring balanced contributions from judges, policymakers, the technical community, civil society, academia, the private sector, and international organizations. This approach reflects the IGF's multistakeholder model, promotes cross-sector learning, and facilitates the exchange of diverse perspectives. It will enable participants to identify practical lessons, emerging good practices, and opportunities for sustained collaboration, strengthening judicial engagement and contributing to future National, Regional, and Global IGF discussions.

Hybrid Format

Hybrid Format: The session will ensure equal participation for onsite and online attendees through a dedicated online moderator who will manage the virtual platform, monitor questions, and facilitate interaction throughout the discussion. The session moderator will alternate between onsite and online interventions to ensure balanced participation.

The workshop will use a moderated, case-based discussion with interactive Q&A and live polling, encouraging participants to exchange experiences, compare perspectives, and contribute to practical solutions on AI and Internet governance. Speakers will respond to questions from both onsite and online participants, creating an inclusive multistakeholder dialogue.

To enhance participation, complementary tools such as Slido or Mentimeter will be used for live polls, audience questions, and prioritization of discussion topics. Key messages and recommendations will be captured during the session and shared with all participants to support continued engagement beyond the workshop.

Organizers

Organizer 1: Dr. Nazarius Kirama, 🔒Internet Society Tanzania Organizer 2: Athanase Bahizire, Youth IGF DRC Organizer 3: Keith Andere, African Centre for Climate Research and Innovations - ACCRI

Speakers

Speaker 1: ELIAMANI ISAYA LALTAIKA, Technical Community, African Group Speaker 2: Marcia Whitney, Private Sector, Intergovernmental Organization Speaker 3: Diana Kavedza, Government, African Group Speaker 4: Dr. Nazarius Kirama, Technical Community, African Group Speaker 5: Elena Garcia, Government, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC)

Moderator

Dr. Nazarius Kirama, Technical Community, African Group

Online Moderator

Sharon Polsky, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

Rapporteur

Athanase Bahizire, Technical Community, African Group

Participant Benefits

What will participants gain from attending this session?

SDGs

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Reduced Inequalities
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Partnerships for the Goals

7.0 KiB Raw Permalink Blame History