Open Net Korea leads discussions on AI Digital Textbooks and Southeast Asian Democracy at the Summit for Democracy with Korean law students and regional activists

<Privacy and Surveillance Issues in AI Digital Textbook Policy>
– Date & Time: March 19 (Tue), 2024 2 PM ~ 3:30 PM
– Venue: Coex E1(3F, 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam, Seoul)

<Tech and Democracy in Southeast Asia>
– Date & Time: March 19 (Tue), 2024 4:30 PM ~ 6 PM
– Venue: Coex E1(3F, 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam, Seoul)

Sign up: https://s4dkorea.kr/kor/?menuno=13(**All participants should creat an account and sign up)

Privacy and Surveillance Issues in AI Digital Textbook Development Policy

Background

The timeline for the development of AI digital textbooks is to phase in the introduction of digital textbooks in subjects such as math, English, information technology, and Korean language (special education) in 2025, and to introduce all subjects such as Korean language, social studies, and science by 2028. The Ministry of Education and the Korea Institute of Education and Research Information, the main developers, define AI digital textbooks as “software that includes various learning materials and learning support functions using artificial intelligence and other information technologies to provide various personalized learning opportunities that meet students’ individual needs and abilities.” The commercialization of AI digital textbooks means that students’ personal information will be collected, as the data they produce will be loaded into the platform. AI digital textbook policies should include children’s rights to privacy, security, and protection from surveillance risks when using AI digital textbooks. However, there is a lack of safe design policies to minimize invasions of privacy. It also does not take into account students, teachers, and parents who do not want to learn, teach, or raise their children digitally. This discussion will examine the progress of AI digital textbook development policies with education experts, policymakers, legal experts, and technology experts. The panelists will discuss and share ideas on specific concerns that should be prioritized in the development process and essential considerations, including developing technologies that prioritize children’s digital rights, especially privacy and security.

<Privacy and Surveillance Issues in AI Digital Textbook Development Policy> Date & Time: March 19 (Tue), 2024 2 PM ~ 3:30 PM -Venue: Coex E1(3F, 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam, Seoul)Hosted by: Open Net and Korea University Internet Law Clinic Moderator: OH Kyoungmi, Researcher, Open Net Korea Speakers and organizations represented: – JEONG Hyeon-Seon, Professor, Gyeongin National University of Education – Woohyun Koh, Public & Advocacy Senior Manager, Save the Children – CHO Kyung-sook, Software engineer/Activist of Tech-feminism – PYO Jiwoo, Korea University Internet Law Clinic – SON Jooeun, Korea University Internet Law Clinic Contact: OH Kyoungmi, Researcher, Open Net Korea / followingrubin@gmail.com *Korean will be the main language of this session.

Technology and Democracy in Southeast Asia

Background

Digital authoritarianism is on the rise in Southeast Asia, where laws criminalize speech through defamation, fake news laws, insulting heads of state, and blasphemy laws to persecute journalists and human rights activists who criticize the current government or ruling party. Some countries hold information providers legally liable if they fail to take down or block webpages within a very short period when government agencies request content removal. At the same time, social media abusers, including pro-government forces, are attacking vulnerable populations with disinformation and hate speech, chilling freedom of expression and undermining democracy. In addition, governments in Southeast Asia are using various means to monitor human rights defenders, including data collection, data location, identification, and warrantless access to human rights defenders. In this session, CSOs from the Southeast Asian region and law students from Korea will discuss the possibility of forming a regional network of local civil society movements and ISPs to work together to counter legislative trends in Southeast Asian countries that violate freedom of expression and privacy from an international human rights perspective.

<Tech and Democracy in Southeast Asia> Date & Time: March 19 (Tue), 2024 4:30 PM ~ 6 PM Venue: Coex E1(3F, 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam, Seoul)Hosted by: Open Net, Southeast Asian Collaborative Policy Network, and Korea University International Human Rights ClinicModerator: Damar JUNIARTO, Southeast Asian Freedom of Expression Network  Speakers and organizations represented (countries discussed in bracket):Darlene Ramos GAN, Dakila (Philippines)Emilie PRADICHIT, Manushya Foundation (Thailand and Laos)Vi TRAN, Legal Initiatives for Vietnam (Vietnam)Nenden Sekar ARUM, Southeast Asian Freedom of Expression Network (Indonesia)Svetlana ZENS, Article 19 (Myanmar) Discussants (Legal Analysis under international human rights):Elonnai Hicock, Global Network InitiativeYongmi KWON, Korea University International Human Rights Clinic (Indonesia)Jihyun KANG, Korea University International Human Rights Clinic  (Philippines)Yihyeon KANG, Korea University International Human Rights Clinic  (Vietnam)Jiyong KIM, Korea University International Human Rights Clinic  (Myanmar) Contact: KS PARK, Open Net Korea / followingrubin@gmail.com *English will be the main language of this session.

Sign up: https://s4dkorea.kr/kor/?menuno=13(**All participants should creat an account and sign up)

Korean version text here