CIS-A2K/Events/Roundtable on Digital Cultures

The Centre for Internet And Society (in association with Meta) is conducting a series of roundtable conversations across the country on the role of digital technologies and online platforms in governance, communication, cultural production, access, safety and everyday life. These discussions seek to serve as a platform for grassroots organisations, cultural institutions and various regional stakeholders to highlight their experiences and concerns with, and needs from web-based tools and platforms. These discussions also help facilitate discussion between Meta and these organisations on the role of social media platforms in building safer online communities, facilitating access to information and much more. A Roundtable discussion on the theme of ‘Digital Cultures’ for various stakeholders in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, was organised after two successful events about ‘Misinformation and Disinformation’ (Bengaluru) and ‘Digital Governance’ (Pune).

Key areas the discussion shed light on:

• The increasing impact of digital media on everyday life and cultural production.
• The effect of digital tools on education and performing arts
• The impact of digital media andrise of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) on livelihoods and creative labour.
• The necessity of digital literacy as part of the curriculum, and its effect on learning.
• The need for safety, accountability and transparency in the use of digital media platforms, especially by children.
• The discussion was facilitated by Pavan Santhosh and Subodh Kulkarni from CIS and was supported by Puthiya Purayil Sneha who joined via video call.

Participants

1. Amitabh Pandey, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
2. Abhijit Sharma, School of Livelihood & Rural Development
3. Brijesh Rawath, Musician and Singer
4. Ruchi Thakur, Designer and Educator
5. Neelanjana Vasishta, Classical Singer
6. Meena Mandal, Vocalist
7. Anubha Baluapuri, School of Livelihood & Rural Development
8. Rolii Khare, Jagran Lakecity University
9. Jharna Raina, Journalism student
10. Ritik Khare, PhD scholar in mass communications
11. Surekha Kamble, Dhrupad Singer
12. Ravikal Soni, Baithak
13. Raghu Pandey, iMature
14. Pradeep Ghosh, Parvarish Museum School
15. Shibani Ghosh, Parvarish Museum School
16. Tariq, Eklavya
17. Seshadri, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
18. Sudhir Srivastav, Librarian, IGRMS
19. Rashmi Shukla, IGRMS
20. Srikanth, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
21. Soma Khero, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
22. Rajendra, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
23. Sudeep Roy,  Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
24. Rehan, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
25. Garima, Curator IGRMS

Discussion

The participants had extensive expertise in a variety of fields, including Fine arts, Publishing, Education, Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM), Language Studies and Design. Various experiences and opinions expressed during the discussion highlighted the impact of digital media on education, creative expression, information dissemination and other aspects of everyday life, necessitating the need for better policies, promoting digital literacy and improved collaborations among stakeholders. The discussion also focused on Artificial intelligence-generated art, material being misused for personal gains and the disruption it has led to in cultural production.

In the round table discussion on digital cultures, participants made an effort to discuss the challenges and possibilities presented by the intricate intersections between humanity and digital technologies. The discussion not only brought out various aspects in the understanding of digital cultures but also sparked a collective contemplation on how to navigate the digital future responsibly and creatively.