Innovating Digital Infrastructure: G7 Champions Data Agency

Abstract

The G7 countries can catalyze positive digital infrastructure innovation by rethinking the role of government as a market shaper for fair and inclusive digital infrastructure solutions (governments should invest in digital infrastructure solutions, use regulations and public markets to encourage adoption, but also develop globally coherent yet context-cognizant technical standards and implement progressive procurement policies); embedding data agency at the core of digital infrastructure (governments should mandate using open-source, interoperable, and decentralized protocols to foster trust and resilience in their digital infrastructure solutions); and mandating interoperability to prevent digital fragmentation (governments should develop digital infrastructure solutions building upon the internet while adopting a context-based approach that ensures resilience, openness, and inclusivity).