Recommendations & Conclusions
10 items
1
Recommendation
Third report - Encoding values: Putting…
Accepted
The growing influence of private companies in global technology governance, and on the norms and rules that shape our societies, has profound implications for the future role and identity of the nation-state. The Government has yet to demonstrate that it has seriously considered its role and influence within this new …
Government response. The Government accepts the need to engage with non-government entities and recognises the important role that tech companies play in our society. The FCDO will engage with private companies and relevant multinational bodies and Minister Norman is the FCDO Minister …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
2
Conclusion
Third report - Encoding values: Putting…
The UK’s global technology leadership ambitions should be Government-led but will need to pull in significant support from the private sector as well as academia. There is an opportunity for the FCDO to exemplify the values articulated in the Integrated Review by leading on collaboration with the private sector and …
Government response. 2.1 As set out in the Integrated Review, it is vital that the UK grow the UK’s science and technology power in pursuit of strategic advantage. Achieving this objective requires an integrated approach. HMG participates in a variety of multi-stakeholder …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
3
Conclusion
Third report - Encoding values: Putting…
Acknowledged
The UK should work with allies to ensure global practice in frameworks designed to protect data, and to prevent our adversaries exporting data from around the world to build the massive data sets needed to develop algorithms to automate surveillance systems, military systems and disinformation systems. We need to think …
Government response. The government agrees that global challenges around data collection, aggregation and access are a national security liability, and that the upcoming International Technology Strategy will cover this area. However, they do not advocate export controls on data, instead preferring free …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
4
Recommendation
Third report - Encoding values: Putting…
Accepted
We recommend that the FCDO prioritises engaging with product teams and technologists, rather than only policy teams, to gain a clearer understanding of the activities of companies that are developing and implementing new technologies, as well as helping to influence the activities of these companies. The Department will need to …
Government response. The FCDO will engage further with the technology sector, upskill staff, and leverage expertise from other departments like DCMS. It will expand its Tech Envoy network in priority locations to engage with companies and establish a secondment programme with the …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
5
Recommendation
Third report - Encoding values: Putting…
Accepted
The UK’s position on technology standards vis-à-vis the US and EU remains unclear and the Government’s stance on many elements of the Transatlantic Trade and Technology Partnership remain ambiguous. The UK therefore risks becoming Encoding values: Putting tech at the heart of UK foreign policy 31 a rule-taker rather than …
Government response. The UK Government has articulated its position on data protection, privacy, and data sharing through the National Data Strategy and the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. The International Technology Strategy will be a key document which builds on existing …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
6
Recommendation
Third report - Encoding values: Putting…
Acknowledged
We cannot meaningfully influence the global order without the cooperation and support of our partners. While there is an opportunity for the UK to exercise thought leadership, we cannot go it alone and should not seek to carve out a “fourth way” for the UK in global technology governance. We …
Government response. The UK will leverage its position and strengths in technology to ensure that the global technology ecosystem aligns with our values and shape global decisions. The International Technology Strategy makes having a values-based approach to technology governance and regulation a …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
7
Recommendation
Third report - Encoding values: Putting…
Accepted
There is a strong case for the Government to establish deeper partnerships with “digital deciders” such as India, Singapore and Brazil. There is scope for the FCDO to have more dialogue with these countries and to form partnerships around the value of an open and global approach to tech rules …
Government response. The government states that partnerships and collaborations are central to their approach, and they will continue to seek new partnerships that foster cooperation and greater alignment with our values. They highlight existing cyber dialogues and capacity building efforts with various …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
8
Conclusion
Third report - Encoding values: Putting…
Accepted
The integration of technology within UK foreign policy should reflect the intrinsic links between the UK’s domestic capabilities and its global influence. The Government’s recent measures to encourage growth and support start-ups within the UK technology sector are welcome, but they have been undermined by the Government’s previous reticence to …
Government response. The government states it is clear on intent to grow the UK’s Science and Technology ecosystem and describes the National Security and Investment Act (NSI) which allows the government to identify and intervene in acquisitions.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
9
Recommendation
Third report - Encoding values: Putting…
Acknowledged
The FCDO’s forthcoming International Technology Strategy should set out clear objectives and targeted actions for achieving them, to be used as a blueprint or framework that diplomats can easily use to guide their decisions and activities at Post level and to ensure a coherent approach across the FCDO’s global network. …
Government response. The International Technology Strategy provides a framework and sets out the UK's top international priority actions to deliver the UK's technology ambitions and will guide the development of more detailed actions across the diplomatic network via an internal implementation plan.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
10
Recommendation
Third report - Encoding values: Putting…
Accepted in Part
We recommend that the FCDO designs and publishes in its forthcoming International Technology Strategy metrics on how it is supporting the Integrated Review’s goal of establishing the UK as a science & tech superpower. Performance against these metrics should be set out in the Department’s annual report and accounts. (Paragraph …
Government response. The FCDO will publish data and information on international technology partnerships in its annual report and accounts but refers to an internal Government implementation plan for agreed metrics and milestones.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office