The Global Governance of the Internet and of Future Emerging Technologies

Course focus and approach:
The course focuses on the governance of cyberspace, the Internet and Future Emerging Technologies (i.e., Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, biometrics, as well as quantum computing and post-quantum cryptography). These topics are approached from the perspectives of International Relations and Global Governance, including International Political Economy (IPE) and international (cyber)security.

Course description:
The course is aimed at analyzing how the Internet and Future Emerging Technologies are governed at a global level. In a continuously evolving digital environment, the course is an invitation to reflect about different initiatives at the international level aimed at addressing some of the key challenges traditionally associated to these technologies (including issues of privacy and data protection, limitations on freedom of expression and content moderation online, as well as the social and environmental impact of digital technologies). In this sense, the course will focus on understanding the role that non-State actors (such as international governmental and non-governmental organizations, non-state public organizations, private companies, and the broader global civil society) play in these initiatives as well as the models of governance that each of these players support and promote when it comes to the governance of the Internet and of Future Emerging Technologies.

Learning objectives:
At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand the models of governance of the Internet and of Future Emerging Technologies at the global level.
• Explore different initiatives at the international level aimed at addressing some of the key challenges traditionally associated to Future Emerging Technologies.
• Identify and critically assess the role played by non-State actors in these global governance initiatives.

Course workload:
the course combines lectures, case studies on specific issues, and all sorts of activities for students, including writing essays and preparation of presentations, among others. In all sessions students will be expected to actively contribute to debates and group work.

Teaching methodology:
The course will combine different activities in class and independent work to be carried out by the students between sessions. In-class session will include:

•  Lectures by the professors (about 45-60 minutes) on the topic of each session.
• Seminars that will be based on simulations (role-playing), policy analysis, presentations, and debates.
• Case studies, many of them to be prepared and presented by students.
•  'In the spotlight' sessions, combining an introductory session by the professors on a specific issue and a debate among students.
• Work outside class will include readings, watching documentaries, gathering data, and preparing the above-mentioned sessions.

Assessment criteria:

• Seminars: 40%
• Class participation 30%
• Final assignment: 30%

Weekly schedule:
PART I. THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE GOVERNANCE OF THE INTERNET
WEEK 1. Introduction to Internet governance
Session 1 (September 27). Course description and introduction to Internet governance Syllabus, assessment, and readings. Introduction to Internet Governance and Future Emerging Technologies.
WEEK 2. Normative dimensions of Internet governance
Course lectures
Session 1 (October 2). Regulating the internet: is it feasible? Session 2 (October 4). Regulating the internet: Is it desirable?
Case studies / In the spotlight
-The geopolitics of cyberspace
-Neurotechnologies and the neurorights movement.
WEEK 3. Actors and authorities in Internet governance Course lectures
Session 1 (October 9). Actors in Internet governance
Session 2 (October 11). Authorities in Internet governance
Case studies / In the spotlight
-Mapping international actors
-Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
PART II. CURRENT ISSUES ON THE GOVERNANCE OF THE INTERNET AND CYBERSPACE
WEEK 4. The Platform Economy Course lectures
Session 1 (October 16). From the data economy to the platform economy
Session 2 (October 18). Freedom of expression online
Case studies / In the spotlight
-The Big Tech -From the social media revolution to online content moderation
Course Seminar 1 (October 20): Who governs your emoji keyboard?
WEEK 5. Cybercrime and cybersecurity Course lectures
Session 1 (October 23). Cybercrime: old wine in new bottles?
Session 2 (October 25). The right to privacy and the right to data protection
Case studies / In the spotlight
-Cybersecurity.
-Key escrows / Spyware and the rise of cyber-mercenaries.
WEEK 6. Digital rights
Course lectures
Session 1 (October 30). A fourth generation of human rights? / Digital technologies and environmental rights
Case Study / In the spotlight
-Internet shutdowns
-Rights in conflict? The global governance of geoengineering
PART III. NEW GOVERNANCE MODELS FOR FUTURE EMERGING TECHNOLOGIE
WEEK 7. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Course lectures
Session 1 (November 6). Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (I)
Session 2 (November 8). Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (II) Case studies / In the spotlight -Algorithmic audits. -Biometrics. Course
Seminar 2 (November 10): Killer robots.
WEEK 8. Blockchains and Distributed Ledger Technologies
Course lectures
Session 1 (November 13). Blockchains and Distributed Ledger Technologies
Session 2 (November 15). Cryptocurrencies & CBDC Case studies / In the spotlight -Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT). -The rise and fall of Meta’s Diem.
WEEK 9. 5G and cloud infrastructures
Course lectures
Session 1 (November 20). 5G and 6G
Session 2 (November 23). Cloud infrastructures Case studies / In the spotlight -The superpower’s race for 5G infrastructures -Data protection and cloud providers – a clash of jurisdictions?
WEEK 10.Quantum computing and post-quantum cryptography
Course lectures
Session 1 (November 27). Quantum computing
Session 2 (November 29). Post-quantum cryptography
Case studies / In the spotlight
-Study visit to the BSC
-The NIST’s competition on post-quantum algorithms. Final exam of the course (December 1)