Building on urgent global conversations around platform power and digital governance, DCS 2025 interrogates the responsibilities of platforms, institutions, communities, and individuals in shaping accountable, inclusive, and participatory digital ecosystems. It invites reflection on how power operates within and through digital infrastructures, and how collective responsibility, grounded in justice, participation, and rights, can help reclaim the internet as a public good.

The Community Network Xchange (CNX) enters its 9th year, focusing on the theme ‘Meaningful Access, Data & Hyperlocal Communities‘ to promote a more inclusive approach to digital access and address ongoing challenges. It calls for solutions that are not only about connecting people to the internet but also ensuring that communities have the tools, knowledge, and resources to use technology meaningfully. Through CNX..

Artificial Intelligence is transforming governance, communication, and problem-solving worldwide. Yet, without a strong ethical foundation, AI risks deepening inequalities, marginalizing vulnerable communities, and compromising privacy and dignity. The Just AI Awards, co-created by the Digital Empowerment Foundation(DEF) and the Government of Telangana’s Emerging Technologies Wing under the World Summit Award framework, spotlight AI innovations that prioritize justice, inclusion, and the public good.

India’s artisan community, comprising over 200 million people, is a vital custodian of the nation’s rich cultural heritage and a significant contributor to the economy through industrial production, GDP, and exports. Despite this importance, artisans often face challenges such as limited access to working capital and markets. The Digital Artisans of India track, led by the Digital Empowerment Foundation in collaboration with Digikargha and Creative Dignity, celebrates artisans and organisations that have successfully harnessed digital tools and media to overcome these traditional barriers. By leveraging technology, artisans expand their reach, enhance entrepreneurial opportunities, and preserve their crafts for future generations.