You were recently a Visiting Fellow at the Global Governance Centre. Would you please let us know the reason for your choice and how this experience shapes your current research work and career development?
I feel that the idea of pursuing this fellowship has been growing in me for quite a while.
When I first joined the World Bank, it did not take me long to realize that people always referred to the latest research papers and novel academic concepts in meetings and peer discussions. Within a few months, it became even more evident that the Graduate Institute was consistently referred to as the birth-hub of some of the most interesting and forward-looking approaches to issues of global interest . Since then, I had been following its work and seeking an opportunity to have an academic affiliation that would allow me to become part of this stimulating educational environment.
Given my background in international organizations, applying for the Fellowship at the Global Governance Centre was a no-brainer. Throughout my Fellowship, I had the academic support to dive deeper into certain intriguing issues I had encountered through my work and could not analyze to the depth that would have satisfied my intellectual curiosity. This Fellowship offered me the ideal environment to do exactly that.
Dr. Velibor Jakovleski, my supervisor at the Centre, gave me excellent guidance and the faculty members to whom I reached out to, were happy to meet and discuss my research and other trending issues. Networking in Geneva was pleasant and smooth, as I felt that the city offers a sense of neutrality and international character, which makes everyone open to new people and ideas.
My stay at the Institute gave a kickstart to my academic endeavors and a great network in Geneva's academic and legal space. I was also able to learn about some great resources, organizations, and initiatives in Europe.
What were and are the main influences that brought you to focus on digital development, privacy, compliance and international regulations?
I have always been fascinated by how technology serves as a key driver of change and opens new avenues to address the world's most complex challenges. In emerging economies, digital development is targeted in providing the public with safe and affordable internet, supporting governments in their digital transformation, and promoting access to finance. It has played a crucial part in overcoming remoteness, exclusion, and offering economic opportunities, especially for women.
Digital development is also reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as a set target to "significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in least developed countries by 2030" (SDG target 9.c). The possibilities of accelerated progress that technology can offer are one of the greatest miracles of the modern era.
However, as a critical lawyer, I cannot oversee the inherent risks on cybersecurity and privacy that all digital solutions may entail. Such risks become even more evident in economies with poorly developed data protection legal frameworks and weak enforcement mechanisms. Pessimists in the field claim that technological innovation has outpaced our privacy protections, exposing our digital footprint and allowing it to be tracked by governments and corporations in ways that were once unthinkable - I partly agree. Indeed, the digital footprint is constantly growing, containing more and more data about the most intimate aspects of our lives. But privacy challenges are not a novel concern. In historical times, town fountains in many Arab cities were places to hold private conversations, as the sounds of flowing water would drown out what eavesdroppers could hear. Now, especially after the enactment of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), we are experiencing a moment in history where the legal community has made immense progress towards tackling such issues. Striking a balance between the unlocked potential of technological advancement and safeguarding the fundamental right to privacy is a fine act with policy and legal implications that challenge modern professionals to push for even further accountability. It is definitely exciting and stimulating to witness and contribute through my work to implement such solutions.
Would you let us know your views on governance trends (international regulations), particularly in this rapidly changing digital environment?
Let me start by briefly dropping some buzzwords: Digital Currency, AI and Machine Learning, Sustainability.
According to the World Economic Forum digital currencies, whether these are central-bank issued, price-stabilized cryptocurrencies ("stablecoins"), or non-stabilized cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, are expected to have a significant impact on the financial system. With the bitcoin recently reaching new price heights, institutional interest and investment have peeked globally. Yet, there is still a lot of research and experimentation to be made in the field, possibly led by the Central Bank for Digital Currency (CBDC).
Another trending topic is the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence ("AI") and Machine learning ("ML") in financial services, based on the potential of ML to improve risk prediction and credit access for large groups of the population. Racial minorities, recent immigrants, women, and small businesses are only a few of the many groups facing difficulties in obtaining credit due to the operation of algorithms that may reinforce discriminatory patterns. Recognizing these patterns and their lasting effects on personal, business finances, and society as a whole is a milestone for the banking sector and a starting point to initiate sustained efforts to re-train algorithms towards a more inclusive treatment.
Finally, an "umbrella" term used by governments and the private sector regarding digital development is that of "digital sustainability", as a practical approach in achieving better sustainability through informed technology investments. Although it initially seemed unorthodox to pursue the SDGs and better ESG standards through IT processes and digital transformation, the norm has shifted. More and more, public and private entities have realized that it is easier to deliver more social accountability and achieve environmental goals – such as the reduction in carbon emissions- through digitalization initiatives. I am pretty sure that we will be seeing more of these holistic approaches to development in the future.
Tell us more about your experience as an attorney and also as legal consultant at the World Bank Group?
The World Bank is a great place for professionals with a drive for international development and eager to adapt to its client-economies' ever-changing needs. The Bank is divided into several thematic and regional divisions, each tackling issues in an interdisciplinary manner.
On a day-to-day basis, I needed to learn how to work with economists, political scientists, statistics experts, and specialists on particular topics such as environment and immigration. The immense talent of my colleagues and the opportunity to work on issues that truly matter make the challenges worthwhile. During the past decade, the Bank has expanded its lending activities by adding dynamic research and consulting aspects in its services that extend to issues like gender, climate change, education, and healthcare infrastructure.
Any particular focus you may want to give to this interview, such as a reference to your recent or upcoming activities, is welcome.
Influenced by my recent academic experience in the Global Governance Centre of the Graduate Institute, I had the chance to dive deeper into topics that trigger my interest in big data, technology, and privacy. I recently published a commentary on the ICO vs. Experian case at the International Association for Privacy Professionals platform (IAPP). I will also be participating as a discussant at the Sustainable Finance and Digitalization conference organized by SusFin and the Universities of Zurich and University of Geneva in March 2021. I aspire to continue my research in these topics and offer my academic contributions on questions around digital sustainability and the definition of data ownership, while humbly recognizing that other burning questions of the global community - like what is the best way to cut a square-shaped sandwich - will forever remain unanswered.
Disclaimer: The opinions, findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this interview are the personal opinions of the interviewee and do not reflect the views of the World Bank.
Read the IAPP commentary here
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