The Internet Coming of Age

Description:

Computer communications pioneer Louis Pouzin understands well the challenges that accompanied the development of the Internet and the serious challenges that remain, particularly in terms of the social, political, and economic fabric of a globalized world. These challenges include conflicts of interest, multinational squabbles, and the technological dominance of certain cultures.

Pouzin discusses the current state of the Internet and the critical issues that will affect its future, such as Internet governance, control of critical resources, and business applicability of the current Internet platform. Pouzin also addresses the effectiveness of the network, which was primarily developed based on technical expertise, in a multi-polar world, where politics, language, culture, and religion often intersect and diverge. Ultimately, he says, the continued growth and integration of the Internet will require the cooperation, at many levels, of various groups.

It is important to note that, despite all kinds of disagreements and service interruptions, the Internet has been well engineered and is largely resistant to physical trouble, Pouzin says. Access can still be problematic, particularly in the developing world, he says.

But the lack of clear international standards creates opportunities for monopolies to stake competing claims without interference or oversight, warns Pouzin. The coming decade, he says, will include further technological evolution; tensions between the “connected” and the “disconnected”; a familial/social divide; ethnic, cultural, geographic, and religious clashes; nonexistent or obsolete legislation; and alternative communities.

A question-and-answer session follows the lecture.

May 7, 2009