Session
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: A round table format is particularly suitable for an open forum session at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) due to its inclusive and collaborative nature. It aligns well with the IGF's goal of fostering inclusive, interactive, and multistakeholder dialogues on internet governance challenges. The conversational nature of round table discussions promotes free-flowing exchanges of ideas. It allows participants to engage in meaningful dialogue, share diverse viewpoints, and work collaboratively on complex issues, which is essential for the IGF. The interactive setup ensures active participation rather than passive observation. Moderators onsite and remote will guide discussions effectively, keeping the conversation dynamic and focused while allowing for both onsite and remote contributions. This is especially important in multistakeholder settings like the IGF, where diverse actors come together to discuss global internet governance issues.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and cyberdefense are closely intertwined, with AI playing a transformative role in enhancing cybersecurity strategies. At the same time, developing economies face challenges in cyber defense and artificial intelligence (AI). Addressing these challenges is critical for enabling secure digital transformation and leveraging AI for socio-economic growth in developing economies. Developing countries face a critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals, many countries have not established National Cybersecurity Strategies, funding is sometimes not sufficient, and in some cases there is the risk of cyberattacks. Emerging technologies like IoT and cloud systems further increase vulnerabilities. AI development requires high-quality data and computational resources and its development needs skilled professionals who can develop, deploy, and maintain AI systems. The purpose of the open forum is: - Evaluate the impact on the present and future of the use of AI in cyberspace and cyberdefense. - Analyze the current and future national, regional and global scenario in relation to the impact of the use of AI in relation with cyberdefense - Understand the importance of regulatory frameworks as a source of reference for the development of public technological policies - Exchange ideas about research, development and innovation in industries associated with AI and cyerdefense - Exchange information about best practices used in other regions in relation with AI and Cyberdefense The idea of the round table format is to interact with panelists and the audience to find ways to identify these challenges and share ideas on how to address them in a sustainable and effective way. This open forum is a follow up on what was reviewed and discussed in the one organized in the IGF 2024 in Saudi Arabia: https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2024-open-forum-1-challenges…
The open forum will be promoted in the different social networks of the organizer´s communities: academia, civilsociety and goverment. There will be previous meetings among the panelists in order to establish a coherent and good flow of the questions and conversations. Onsite and remote moderators will guide the dialogue in the open forum with panelists and within the audience, both onsite and remote.
Argentina Ministy of Defense
Olga Cavalli, Dean of the National Defense Faculty of Argentina, Ministry of Defense of Argentina - Government - Latin America and Caribbean Adrián Carballo, Director South School on Internet Governance - Civil Society - Latin America and Caribbean Oscar Messano, President CCAT LAT Centro de Capacitación en Alta Tecnología para Latinoamérica y el Caribe - International Organizations - Latin America and Caribbean Raitme Citterio - South School on Internet Governance - Civil Society - Latin America and Caribbean
Speakers Welcome and on-site moderation:
Olga Cavalli, Dean of the National Defense Faculty of Argentina, Director South School on Internet Governance
Panelists:
José Cepeda, Member of the European Parliament, Spain
Ram Mohan, Chief Strategy Officer of Identity Digital, former ICANN Board Member
Christopher Painter, Director Global Forum on Cyberexpertise (GFCE), former US Cyberambassador
Wolfgang Kleinwächter, Professor Emeritus University of Aarhus, former Commissioner of the Global Commission on Stability in Cyberspace (GCSC)
Philipp Grabensee - Attorney - Former Chair Afiias
Luis Adrián Salazar - Former ICT Minister of Costa Rica and Professor at ULatina
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Targets: 17.1 Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including through international support to developing countries, to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection. The open forum will exchange ideas on how to support developing countries in improving domestic capacity towards cyberdefense. 17.6 Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism. Most of the technologies used in cyberspace, cybersecurity and cyberdefense are from developed economies, in this sense the North-South and South South cooperation are relevant to access information and tools toward enhancing cyberdefense in developing economies.
Report
This open forum addressed the pressing challenges that developing countries face in confronting AI-driven cyber threats. A diverse panel of experts—including cybersecurity leaders, policymakers, and diplomats—explored how artificial intelligence is transforming cybersecurity and what this means for resource-constrained nations.
An expert panel explored how AI is reshaping cybersecurity for developing economies, emphasizing that AI both enhances and complicates threat landscapes. Key concerns included limited access to advanced AI technologies, a growing skills gap, and overreliance on major powers. Panelists called for greater international cooperation, urgent capacity-building, and flexible policy strategies. While AI offers potential for leapfrogging traditional barriers, it also poses new risks of dependency. The forum highlighted the need for inclusive, adaptive approaches that integrate cybersecurity, diplomacy, and development priorities.
Panel Composition
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Olga Cavalli (Dean of the National Defense Faculty of Argentina and Director of the South School on Internet Governance)
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Ram Mohan (Chief Strategy Officer, Identity Digital; former ICANN board member)
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Christopher Painter (former U.S. cyber diplomat)
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Wolfgang Kleinwächter (Professor Emeritus, University of Aarhus)
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Philipp Grabensee (attorney; former chair of Afilias)
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Luis Adrián Salazar (former ICT Minister, Costa Rica)
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José Cepeda (European parliamentarian, Spain, via video)
Key Themes and Insights
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AI as a Cyber Threat Multiplier:
AI-driven cyberattacks, such as phishing, are becoming more convincing and scalable. While AI enhances threat detection and response, it also increases the complexity and volume of cyber threats. -
Limitations of Existing Strategies:
Current national cybersecurity strategies, while valuable, need urgent updates to reflect the rapidly changing threat landscape. However, foundational cybersecurity principles should not be neglected. -
Access to AI Technologies:
The concentration of large language models and advanced AI tools in the hands of a few major powers creates a new technological divide. This limits developing nations’ ability to secure themselves, increasing global cyber vulnerabilities. -
Call for Diplomatic Action:
There was a shared sense of urgency around enabling access to AI for developing nations through diplomacy and international cooperation, as traditional policy cycles are too slow to keep pace with AI development. -
Human Capacity as a Bottleneck:
The most significant constraint for developing countries is the lack of skilled professionals. Capacity-building must include both technical and policy training to enable nations to use AI effectively and participate diplomatically. -
Opportunities for Leapfrogging:
AI’s knowledge-intensive nature offers a chance for countries to bypass infrastructure-heavy models. However, as Costa Rica’s experience shows, cyber threats only become a priority when they directly disrupt essential services. -
Challenges of Multilateral Participation:
With limited diplomatic resources, developing nations struggle to engage in the growing number of forums on AI and cybersecurity, forcing tough decisions about where to allocate attention. -
Regulatory Complexity:
Drawing parallels with negotiations on autonomous weapons, the panel noted the difficulty of establishing binding international AI regulations. Informal cooperation and knowledge-sharing were suggested as more effective interim solutions. -
Strategic Disagreements:
A core tension emerged between evolutionary vs. revolutionary approaches. Ram Mohan advocated for abandoning outdated models, while Christopher Painter stressed adapting existing frameworks. -
Technological Sovereignty vs. Dependency:
The dilemma of pursuing AI partnerships with major powers vs. maintaining technological independence reflects broader issues of sovereignty in the digital age.
The panel concluded that cybersecurity in the AI era is inseparable from global cooperation, resource equity, and sustainable development. Success depends on building technical expertise, navigating geopolitical realities, and addressing human needs—all within a rapidly evolving technological environment.