RESEARCH HANDBOOK ON DIGITAL
REGULATORY AGENCIES
Edward ElgaR
Call for Chapters
A wide variety of developments related to information technology, communication, and artificial intelligence show great promise but also have potential downsides that may require the involvement of new digital regulatory agencies.
Information technology is evolving at a rapid pace and is now embedded in all aspects of our lives. IT has transformed the business landscape, making possible online transactions and the use of data analytics for more efficient production and targeted marketing efforts. However, with increased reliance on digital systems and data storage, businesses face greater risks of data breaches, hacking, and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Education has been transformed by digital technology making online learning accessible to a wide range of learners and providing e-learning platforms and virtual classrooms that enhance the learning experience. However, easy access to information and, more recently, AI can tempt students to engage in academic dishonesty, such as copying and pasting content that can impede learning while reducing critical thinking and originality.
In health care, electronic health records, telemedicine, health monitoring devices, and AI technologies can improve outcomes for patient. However, overreliance on technology can potentially lead to biases, erroneous diagnosis and treatment that can threaten a person’s life.
In our personal lives, faster and more ubiquitous networks enables us to connect instantly with others across the globe through email, messaging apps, video calls, and social media platforms. But the social interactions that happen through these platforms have also brought negative consequences, namely detrimental effects on our mental health, particularly among teens and young adults, cyberbullying, the potential misuse or exploitation of personal information due to the vast amounts of personal data these platforms collet, and the spread of misinformation.
The introduction of artificial intelligence in general and the release of ChatGPT in particular is raising significant concerns among governments, which is yet another reason why now is the right time to ask ourselves if it is necessary to consider establishing a digital regulatory agency.
The purpose of this handbook is thus to present insights into the functions, responsibilities, and regulatory frameworks of what could eventually be digital regulatory agencies. It would describe the dynamic landscape of digital technologies, their impact on various sectors, and the role of a digital regulatory agency for those areas. It will discuss the challenges that a digital regulatory agency would face, promoting innovation and consumer protection, managing data privacy and security, and balancing free speech and misinformation. It will cover a wide range of topics related to a government agency’s role and responsibilities in overseeing the digital landscape. We bring together contributions from experts in many areas of information technology to explain whether a regulatory agency would be desirable and the benefits and risks associated with creating an agency of this type.
Topics can include but are not limited to the following:
Digital governance and policy: This covers the laws and regulations that the agency could be responsible for enforcing, as well as the principles and values that guide its decision-making.
The legal framework for digital regulation: This explores the legal and regulatory frameworks that underpin digital regulation, such as intellectual property laws, antitrust laws, and consumer protection laws.
Key functions of a digital regulatory agency: This describes the key functions that a digital regulatory agency would perform, including licensing, monitoring, and enforcing compliance with regulations.
Cybersecurity and data privacy: This shows how a digital agency can protect consumers and businesses from cyber threats and ensure the responsible use of data by digital companies.
Competition and antitrust: This examines how a digital agency could monitor or enforce competition laws in the digital sphere, including issues related to market dominance and anti-competitive practices of network industries.
Digital regulation in specific industries: This explores how digital regulation applies to specific industries, such as creators, social media, and online businesses.
Innovation and emerging technologies: This looks at how a digital agency would approach the regulation of emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and the Internet of things, and how it balances the need for innovation with the need for consumer protection.
International cooperation and coordination: This describes how a digital agency works with other regulatory bodies around the world to address global digital challenges.
Country level regulatory agencies. This presents case studies of efforts in other countries to install a digital regulatory agency.
Enforcement and compliance: This delves into an agency's potential enforcement strategies.
Future challenges and opportunities: This considers the evolving digital landscape and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for a digital regulatory agency, including issues related to AI governance and the growth of digital platforms.
Proposal submission
A chapter proposal should be up to 1,000 words and include the objective, the area of focus, and the chapter’s structure. Please include brief biographical information for each author. Acceptance of the chapter will be determined by the relevance, quality, and originality of the contribution. Submissions should be sent by email to Martha Garcia-Murillo (email: [email protected]) using the subject line “Digital agencies proposal”
Anticipated Dates
*** Proposal Submission: August 31st, 2023 ***
- Proposal (Acceptance/Rejection): September 30th, 2023
- Authors meeting: ~October 31st, 2023
- First draft and second authors meeting: June 30th, 2024
- Second draft and third authors meeting: October 31st, 2024
- Chapter submission (to editors): December 15th, 2024
- Chapter submission (to publisher): February 28th, 2025
Inquiries to Editors
For any inquiries and additional information, please write an email to
Martha Garcia-Murillo ([email protected]), University of Nebraska, Omaha
Roslyn Layton ([email protected]) Visiting Researcher at Aalborg University Center for Communication, Media, and Information Technologies
Ian MacInnes ([email protected]), University of Nebraska, Omaha
Inquiries
**Our apologies if you receive multiple copies of this call**
A wide variety of developments related to information technology, communication, and artificial intelligence show great promise but also have potential downsides that may require the involvement of new digital regulatory agencies.
Information technology is evolving at a rapid pace and is now embedded in all aspects of our lives. IT has transformed the business landscape, making possible online transactions and the use of data analytics for more efficient production and targeted marketing efforts. However, with increased reliance on digital systems and data storage, businesses face greater risks of data breaches, hacking, and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Education has been transformed by digital technology making online learning accessible to a wide range of learners and providing e-learning platforms and virtual classrooms that enhance the learning experience. However, easy access to information and, more recently, AI can tempt students to engage in academic dishonesty, such as copying and pasting content that can impede learning while reducing critical thinking and originality.
In health care, electronic health records, telemedicine, health monitoring devices, and AI technologies can improve outcomes for patient. However, overreliance on technology can potentially lead to biases, erroneous diagnosis and treatment that can threaten a person’s life.
In our personal lives, faster and more ubiquitous networks enables us to connect instantly with others across the globe through email, messaging apps, video calls, and social media platforms. But the social interactions that happen through these platforms have also brought negative consequences, namely detrimental effects on our mental health, particularly among teens and young adults, cyberbullying, the potential misuse or exploitation of personal information due to the vast amounts of personal data these platforms collet, and the spread of misinformation.
The introduction of artificial intelligence in general and the release of ChatGPT in particular is raising significant concerns among governments, which is yet another reason why now is the right time to ask ourselves if it is necessary to consider establishing a digital regulatory agency.
The purpose of this handbook is thus to present insights into the functions, responsibilities, and regulatory frameworks of what could eventually be digital regulatory agencies. It would describe the dynamic landscape of digital technologies, their impact on various sectors, and the role of a digital regulatory agency for those areas. It will discuss the challenges that a digital regulatory agency would face, promoting innovation and consumer protection, managing data privacy and security, and balancing free speech and misinformation. It will cover a wide range of topics related to a government agency’s role and responsibilities in overseeing the digital landscape. We bring together contributions from experts in many areas of information technology to explain whether a regulatory agency would be desirable and the benefits and risks associated with creating an agency of this type.
Topics can include but are not limited to the following:
Digital governance and policy: This covers the laws and regulations that the agency could be responsible for enforcing, as well as the principles and values that guide its decision-making.
The legal framework for digital regulation: This explores the legal and regulatory frameworks that underpin digital regulation, such as intellectual property laws, antitrust laws, and consumer protection laws.
Key functions of a digital regulatory agency: This describes the key functions that a digital regulatory agency would perform, including licensing, monitoring, and enforcing compliance with regulations.
Cybersecurity and data privacy: This shows how a digital agency can protect consumers and businesses from cyber threats and ensure the responsible use of data by digital companies.
Competition and antitrust: This examines how a digital agency could monitor or enforce competition laws in the digital sphere, including issues related to market dominance and anti-competitive practices of network industries.
Digital regulation in specific industries: This explores how digital regulation applies to specific industries, such as creators, social media, and online businesses.
Innovation and emerging technologies: This looks at how a digital agency would approach the regulation of emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and the Internet of things, and how it balances the need for innovation with the need for consumer protection.
International cooperation and coordination: This describes how a digital agency works with other regulatory bodies around the world to address global digital challenges.
Country level regulatory agencies. This presents case studies of efforts in other countries to install a digital regulatory agency.
Enforcement and compliance: This delves into an agency's potential enforcement strategies.
Future challenges and opportunities: This considers the evolving digital landscape and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for a digital regulatory agency, including issues related to AI governance and the growth of digital platforms.
Proposal submission
A chapter proposal should be up to 1,000 words and include the objective, the area of focus, and the chapter’s structure. Please include brief biographical information for each author. Acceptance of the chapter will be determined by the relevance, quality, and originality of the contribution. Submissions should be sent by email to Martha Garcia-Murillo (email: [email protected]) using the subject line “Digital agencies proposal”
Anticipated Dates
*** Proposal Submission: August 31st, 2023 ***
- Proposal (Acceptance/Rejection): September 30th, 2023
- Authors meeting: ~October 31st, 2023
- First draft and second authors meeting: June 30th, 2024
- Second draft and third authors meeting: October 31st, 2024
- Chapter submission (to editors): December 15th, 2024
- Chapter submission (to publisher): February 28th, 2025
Inquiries to Editors
For any inquiries and additional information, please write an email to
Martha Garcia-Murillo ([email protected]), University of Nebraska, Omaha
Roslyn Layton ([email protected]) Visiting Researcher at Aalborg University Center for Communication, Media, and Information Technologies
Ian MacInnes ([email protected]), University of Nebraska, Omaha
Inquiries
**Our apologies if you receive multiple copies of this call**
