Overview: Infrastructure for the Digital Age

By

Allison Price

,

Silvana Rodriguez

, and

Alberto Rodríguez

Two things are clear in today's digital age: Effective democracies must show they can deliver for their people, and data-powered technology - one potential tool to help get there - is here to stay. Yet without an intentional approach, clear guardrails, and an effective policy agenda to better bridge these two realities, the digital future will remain rudderless.

As the United States transitions to the next four years under a second Trump administration, it is critical that upgrading the nation's roads, transit systems, utility grids and broadband networks remains an area of bipartisan agreement. Further, heated debate over artificial intelligence and the values underpinning technology provides an opportunity for the United States and other rights-respecting partners to consider how an emerging approach, digital public infrastructure, could strengthen digital architecture in the public interest. DPI is frequently referred to as a stack of interoperable digital systems and solutions that facilitate identity verification, digital payments, data exchange, and other functions on which effective and inclusive digital products and services can be developed. Its value lies in offering a blend of tech and governance as a public good that individuals and organizations can use to build solutions across any sector.

Regardless of who is in the White House, the next ten years represent a pivotal moment to lay the foundations for America's DPI by ensuring that the digital rails that help people run businesses, access public services, trust content, and go about nearly every facet of daily life are safe, effective, and accessible. This is particularly urgent in light of the challenges outlined in the recent U.S. International Cyberspace and Digital Policy Strategy, which prioritizes resilient and trusted technology ecosystems and digital solidarity with like-minded countries.

There is a window of opportunity to better connect the United States' global priorities to much-needed innovation at home in a way that advances economic opportunity for all. This will require rethinking major gaps, among them privacy, smart regulatory regimes, connectivity, cross-sector incentive alignment, ethical considerations, public procurement, and capacity challenges.

A shift toward a more comprehensive approach to infrastructure in the United States may already be emerging. Public-private partnerships that are free, optional, and driven by the U.S. government are powering early examples of such publicly accessible tools as login.gov, e-filing with the Internal Revenue Service, and digital identity verification approved by the Transportation Security Administration. The potential for DPI rests on what tools can be built on top of foundational layers as these kinds of identity verification, payment, and other programs expand. The question isn't whether some version of DPI will happen; it will, whether or not we use that label. The challenge is determining how to best shape DPI as a tool to support a safer and more resilient ecosystem that is also secure and trusted.

Collective Insights for the Next Decade

This research collection, Infrastructure for the Digital Age, features perspectives from leading scholars and practitioners in public interest technology, computer science, law, ethics, and economic development. Experts shared a wide breadth of ideas on what may or may not be achievable in the next 10 years along the following five major themes. These themes are examined in greater detail in each article of the collection:

• The potential of DPI in the United States is not fully scoped, but it remains intriguing.

Although there is consensus on the need for healthier digital ecosystems, several factors that are unique to (or particularly pronounced in) the United States weigh heavily in experts' assessments of what DPI implementation would look like - or if it would even be possible as a nationwide approach. But there is also a perceived opportunity in the high level of innovation throughout the vibrant U.S. community of builders, legacy of exploration, and can-do attitude that has not just powered a dynamic start-up community in this country but that continues to push the boundaries of what is achievable with better data and open solutions.

• International DPI efforts offer best practices, signal opportunities, and flag cautionary warnings for countries considering DPI implementation.

A growing number of countries are in various stages with respect to their DPI systems, and high-level efforts to recognize, coordinate, and advance trusted DPI initiatives are increasingly on the global agenda. DPI could conceivably help the implementing country buffer the potential impact of global political and commercial dynamics by bolstering its public services and economic activity. Additionally, competition is on the rise among countries seeking to export their digital infrastructure and the values encoded within. Concerns include autocratic overtones, sociopolitical and data privacy risks from potential government overreach, and the risk of further marginalizing vulnerable communities.

• Overcoming potential barriers to DPI implementation and managing risks are essential for the public interest.

Experts recommend wide-ranging safeguards and strategies to mitigate risks and harms and overcome barriers to DPI adoption in the United States. A major area of effort would entail creating the policy, legal, and governance frameworks to support a DPI ecosystem and hold stakeholders accountable. This includes national privacy protections, guardrails to better protect users, redress mechanisms, law enforcement reforms to address digital harms, transparency requirements for both public and private actors, and measures to ensure a user's ability to opt out. Another priority is determining how to secure the financial sustainability of DPI systems that are essential to society.

• Effective DPI requires collaboration and incentive alignment across sectors (public, private, and civil society).

Government has a strong leadership role to play in establishing clear policies and a vision. More broadly, there is a need to carefully recognize and align incentives by creating an environment and the arrangements that motivate every sector to participate in the governance, development, or implementation of DPI. This shift could go a long way toward securing sector-wide buy-in.

• The United States can best serve global objectives in the public interest tech space by leading by example at home. Factoring in the AI and geopolitical considerations of a DPI approach is a necessary element of the overall effort.

The United States can choose to lead with decisive action on a foundational DPI approach, both on the global stage and at home, and better model the policies, practices, and priorities that need to work in tandem to yield a healthier ecosystem. As artificial intelligence becomes central to innovation and influence, linking it to a DPI approach given the inherent overlaps in data sharing infrastructures can help frame the AI debate in terms of public values. Understanding the broader geopolitical implications and fostering cooperation around technologies will be key to ensuring stability and resilience across borders.

While the next administration has not yet signaled what their approach to digital transformation may entail, there is still a reason to advocate for strengthening digital solutions in the public interest. Ultimately, the decisions made about our digital systems today will have long-term implications for the health, prosperity, and resiliency of societies.

Go to the first article in the research collection: Assessing the Potential for DPI in the United States

Go to the main collections page