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