IGF-USA 2019 Subject Matter Survey Results
The IGF-USA Subject Matter Survey ran from February 26 through March 14,receiving a total of 119 responses, from a variety of stakeholders with varying levels of experience at the IGF-USA and global IGF. The median amount of time spent on the survey was 6 minutes 29 seconds, with a 100% completion rate. 38 respondentsleft comments and suggestions for topics not covered in the survey.
Stakeholder Breakdown
- Government / Intergovernmental Organizations: 13 Responses
- Civil Society / Academia: 33 responses
- Technical Community: 18 responses
- Private Sector: 45 responses
- None / Other: 10 responses
Number of IGF-USA’s Attended
- None: 47
- 1 IGF-USA: 20
- 2 IGF-USAs: 13
- 3 IGF-USAs: 11
- 4+ IGF-USAs: 28
Number of global IGFs Attended
- None: 74
- 1 IGFs: 14
- 2 IGFs: 3
- 3 IGFs: 9
- 4+ IGFs: 19
Methods
Weighted Calculations based on Rank 1-15
This is the method used by Survey Monkey, which weights the score of each ranking in reverse order. For example, a #1 ranking has a weight of 15 and a #15 ranking has a weight of 1. Using this scale, the scores for each option are added together and divided by the total number of responses.
Weighted Calculations based on Rank 1-8
This method varies slightly from the “Weighted Calculations based on Rank 1-15” model. Similarly, it weights scores in reverse order, but only for options ranked 1 through 8. In this case a #1 ranking has a weight of 8, a #8 ranking has a weight of 1, and ranks #9-#15 have a weight of 0. The scores from each option are added and then divided by the total number of responses.
Number of Times Ranked #1
This method is straightforward. It adds up the total number of times that the option was ranked first by a respondent.
Number of Times Ranked in Top 3
This method is similar to the “Number of Times Ranked #1” method, except It adds up the total number of times that the option was ranked in the top 3 by a respondent. The scores are not weighted, meaning that being ranked #1 counts the same as being ranked #3 in the method.
Key Takeaways
There were several “Proposed Topics” that scored well across the board, 6 of which scored in the top 8 regardless of method:
- Data Governance and accountability
- Cybersecurity and safety
- TechLash in 2019
- Platform liability for user content and commerce
- Inclusion
- 5G enabling tech innovation
Similarly, there were several “Proposed Topics” that scored poorly across the board, failing to reach the top 8 under any method.
- Blockchain
- Supply Chain Innovation & IoT
- EU Taxation of digital content and advertising
- Alternative Technical Futures
- Platform moderation of user views & news
The following, scored in the top 8 in at least 1 method
- Artificial Intelligence –3 Top 8 placements.
- Antitrust vs Big Tech – 3 Top 8 placements
- IoT for Business and Consumers – 3 top 8 placements
- Internet Governance Institutions – 3 top 8 placements