This half-day conference organised by Start-Up Nation Central (SNC) Fellows at the Blavatnik School of Government, will bring together leading academics, policymakers and technologists. We welcome students from all academic domains at the University of Oxford to join us in a unique opportunity to discuss and rethink about the link between technology and government. This event will look at technology from two perspectives: one, the use of technology by governments as a platform for better governance and efficient public service delivery; and two, the role of government in regulating digital technology. Join us for great panel talks and workshops to dig in and discuss the challenges and potential solutions!

In recent years emerging technologies have been impacting economic activity, public service delivery, governance and even the way citizens interact with each other. Disruptive emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and the ‘internet of things’, will allow unprecedented capabilities. Nevertheless, we must not underestimate the challenges that arise from the introduction of technologies into the fabric of our modern society.

SNC Fellows at the Blavatnik School are Master of Public Policy students who have been awarded scholarships through Start-Up Nation Central. The SNC Fellows have demonstrated outstanding academic ability, a commitment to public service and an interest in innovation and technology. Start-Up Nation Central is a facilitator of partnerships between Israeli innovators and entrepreneurs and business leaders, governments, NGOs and academic institutions across the globe. SNC Fellows are offered opportunities to learn about Israel’s expertise and experience in innovation and technology, to visit entrepreneurs and innovators in Israel and to write a paper reflecting their learning.

The aim of this conference is to discuss how we might improve our chances to benefit from the vast positive potential that technology presents while minimising the risks of the digital revolution.

Programme

We are hosting two panel discussions on technology and public policy related topics that are widely discussed across the world, followed by workshops led by experts so that smaller groups can discuss specific issues. The sessions will be interactive so do come prepared with questions for our panelists and points of discussion for the workshops.

8:30–9:00am: Registration - Inamori Forum

9:00–9:15am: Welcome to the Blavatnik School of Government and Key Note speech - Lecture Theatre 1

Professor Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government
Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt, Principal of Jesus College and Chairman of the Open Data Institute.

9:15–10:00am: Panel topic: technology as a tool for governing - Lecture Theatre 1

Technology and innovation breakthroughs are introducing new ways in which governments can connect with their citizens. New digital platforms have allowed citizens to exercise greater powers and hold politicians to account. These technological advancements have also optimized public institutions and enabled public services to be delivered more efficiently. This panel discussion will cover how governments use technology to lead political conversation and the impact that this has on democracy, freedom and rights of citizens. Also, it will address the use cases of technology for governing purposes internally (as a tool for administration, policymaking and organizational systems e.g. health and education policy areas) and externally (as an interface with citizens to connect with them, to deliver public services and to empower citizens to hold their governments accountable). The overall aim is to discuss how governments can use technology as an asset for good governance.

Panelist: Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt, Principal of Jesus College at the university of Oxford and Chairman of the Open Data Institue
Moderator: Professor Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government

10:00–10:45am: Panel topic: the governance of technology - Lecture Theatre 1

The 4th industrial revolution brings new challenges to societies, the government has a leading role in policymaking in fields that are directly affected by emerging technologies such as the digital economy and employment, cybersecurity (cybercrime and security beyond borders), and the interaction between artificial intelligence and society. This panel discussion will cover the role that governments play to address challenges such as personal data being collected, held and used by third parties. Topics such as user consent, transparency, responsibility and legal liability will be covered during this panel. Important questions will be discussed such as who do we prefer to hold our data, governments or private companies?  Who should design standards of security and values to be protected in the development and adoption of technology? Can we agree on minimum guidelines at a global level or is it enough to tackle this at a national level? How can governments respond to these challenges given the rapid pace of innovation and the presumable lack of expertise in bureaucracy?

Panelist: Professor Luciano Floridi, Professor of Philosophy and Ethics of Information and Director of the Digital Ethics Lab
Moderator: Professor Thomas Simpson, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government and Senior Research Fellow at Wadham College.

10:45–11:15am: Coffee break - Inamori Forum

11:15–12:15: Workshops (these sessions will be held simultaneously)- Seminar Rooms

• The Future of Digital Economy and Employment. Led by: Professor Niron Hashai, Academic Director of the Asper Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and the Head of the Strategy and Entrepreneurship Area at the School of Business Administration at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
• Digital Government – Technology & Public Policy. Led by: Emma Martinho-Truswell, co-founder and COO of Oxford Insights based in Oxford.
• Internet of Things and Smart Cities. Led by: Michael Blake, Cities Economist for the International Growth Centre (IGC) based at the Blavatnik School of Government.
• Pathways for Prosperity Commission on Technology and Inclusive Growth. Led by: Rafat Ali Al-Akhali, Head of the Secretariat of the Blavatnik School's Pathways for Prosperity: Commission on Technology and Inclusive Development at the Blavatnik School of Government, and Tebello Qhotsokoane, Research and Policy Officer on the Commission on the Pathways for Prosperity.

12:15–12:45pm - Connecting the dots and closing remarks - Lecture Theatre 1

The aim of this last session is to share the key insights from the workshops and to conclude on key challenges and potential solutions.