“The AIDA positioned harm as an unintended byproduct of faulty AI tools experienced by individuals rather than identifiable – and marginalized – groups,” she said. “Rather than viewing AI as a tool, I position it as an assemblage of interconnected social processes.  Growing from this view, my thesis research uses the briefs submitted to the AIDA consultation to argue that the bill lacked in three areas: public accountability, marginalized perspectives, and substantive equity. Using these three areas, I propose an alternative policy framework that takes a proactive approach to mitigating AI harm, centering on community control.”

WACC-NA President Gregg Brekke said McCrory’s experience and research fits well with the region’s objectives and supports WACC’s overall mission.

“We are pleased to sponsor Ms. McCrory’s attendance at WSIS+20 as an extension of the current and anticipated goals of our WACC region,” he said. “Her work with digital policy, artificial intelligence, public education, and women’s concerns aligns with WACC North America’s focus areas. We are hopeful her learnings will provide further insight and leadership for project planning and education.”

Brekke highlighted WACC-NA’s Migrant Media Monitoring Project and participation in the Global Media Monitoring Project as two examples where broader understanding of digital media policies and artificial intelligence, along with gender biases in reporting, could benefit from learnings from WSIS+20.

“Ms. McCrory’s research work and further studies cultivate the expanded awareness and intersectionality that future media monitoring and education efforts will require as we analyze our data and plan to educate other based on those results,” he said. “Her attendance at WSIS+20 and reflections on learnings there will inform our work in the coming years.”

For her part, McCrory said she looks forward to addressing these “policy crossroads,” particularly the role the global internet and telecommunications policy can play in ensuring equitable and accessible communications with a focus on youth-led initiatives.

“This opportunity will greatly inform my future work as a policy-oriented researcher, while also exposing me to potential career pathways within the field of digital policy and internet governance,” she said. 

The WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025 marks 20 years since the original two-phase World Summit on the Information Society. Government representatives and stakeholders from around the world will review progress on the original WSIS outcomes and action lines from 2003 and 2005, while discussing the future of digital governance. The WACC Global WSIS+20 delegation is advocating for a new paradigm for digital governance – one rooted in communication rights, with digital justice at the center.

By Gregg Brekke, WACC North America. Image: Laine McCrory speaks at an event of the Centre for International Governance Innovation. Courtesy photo.