The 19th Annual Meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Lightning Talk, co-organized by Wuhan University (WHU) and the China Federation of Internet Societies (CFIS), was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec 17, 2024. A WHU delegation, led by Vice-President (VP) Lu Wei, attended the event.

Attendees of the 19th IGF Annual Meeting Lightning Talk gather for a group photo. [Photo/journal.whu.edu.cn]

Lu Wei, vice-president of WHU. [Photo/journal.whu.edu.cn]

Co-organized by WHU's Research Center on Network Communication and Social Governance and the School of Journalism and Communication, the forum focused on the theme "Internet Governance: Joining Practices and Reciprocal Understanding".

The discussions covered several critical topics, including child protection, artificial intelligence (AI) governance, security technologies for sustainable online content ecosystems, and algorithmic governance. Zhao Hui, secretary-general of CFIS, shared China's progress and best practices in online child safety and digital education. VP Lu introduced a new framework for evaluating AI governance in China, providing valuable perspectives for global governance.

Professor Zhao Bo from WHU's School of Cyber Science and Engineering explored the relationship between trusted computing technology and the online content ecosystem, emphasizing its role in ensuring content security, user privacy, and content diversity. Doctor Yasir Javed from Sultan Qaboos University in Saudi Arabia discussed the challenges of algorithmic governance and proposed strategies to balance the opportunities and risks of technology by enhancing transparency and ethical oversight.

Qiang Yuexin, dean of WHU's School of Journalism and Communication. [Photo/journal.whu.edu.cn]

The forum concluded with Professor Qiang Yuexin, dean of WHU's School of Journalism and Communication, making a call for strengthened mutual trust and cooperation among stakeholders to advance internet governance. The event provided a platform for over 70 attendees from government, social organizations, academia, and business to engage in meaningful dialogue and foster collaboration in the field of internet governance.

VP Lu emphasized the need for global collaboration to tackle the challenges of digital governance and promote the sustainable development of the online ecosystem. As a leading research university, WHU will continue to innovate in talent cultivation and contribute to the sustainable development of the global internet ecosystem and cyberspace.

During the event, VP Lu also led a visit to the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia and King Saud University.