[Session 3] Technology Competition or Cooperation?

Session: Session 3
Date/Time: April 24, 2019 / 13:30-15:00

Moderator:
Lee Dongmin, Dankook University

Speakers:
Tai Ming Cheung, University of California, San Diego
Min Eunjoo, World Intellectual Property Organization Judicial Institute
Michael Sulmeyer, Center for Security and Emerging Technology, Georgetown University
Yaacob Bin Ibrahim, Singapore Institute of Technology

Panel Description
Rapid technological advancement impacts international power dynamics in various ways. The debate on free versus government-regulated technological development is now playing out in the international arena. Recently, the Trump administration imposed tariffs on Chinese imports as punishment for its alleged theft of American intellectual property. Which is more important – stronger protection of intellectual property or smooth technological transfer for economic development? Beyond such economic considerations, new technologies also pose grave security risks, as demonstrated by the U.S. ban of Huawei’s 5G technology. Should state regulators have stronger authority to block new technologies or should new technologies be allowed free access to domestic markets? In addition, to counter the spread of disinformation and illegal personal data collection, some countries have introduced extensive censorship and automated surveillance systems. Would this unduly undermine freedom of speech and internet access? Together, do these developments suggest that the internet will eventually bifurcate into two distinct camps, based on the order to which they belong—liberal or illiberal?