Welcome to the
Wikimedia Technology Summit 2023

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Keynote 1: Engaging the Digital: Digitization of Content and Knowledge: Are we Doing it Right?

Speakers -

• Prof. Raj Reddy
• Selena Deckelmann
• Balasubramaniam Iyer
• Raji Bhaskaran
• C.V. Jawahar

Facilitator -

• Soni Wadhwa

Session Brief Today, we live in a digital age where information and knowledge are easily accessible through the Internet, and digitised content and digitization of content has become an integral part of our life. However, with this abundance of digital content, comes the question of how we are engaging with it and whether we are doing it in the right way.
We need to assess the impact of digital content, digitization processes and on the ways we access, process, and utilize knowledge. In this and will present new ideas and strategies for making digital content and knowledge more inclusive, accessible, and empowering for all.
This keynote is an opportunity for us to gain a deeper understanding of the current state of digital engagement and digitization of content and knowledge, and to explore ways in which we can work together to create a more inclusive and equitable future.
Key Discussion Areas:

• There are multiple ways in which we are engaging the digital: community centric, product centric, information centric… each mode of engagement has its own advantages and disadvantages.
• What can we learn from these multiple modes of engagement with digital ecosystem?
• Which one has the least ill effects, which one is safe, which one will be the most useful for our context?
• In the context of knowledge sources, learning and education, is there any scope for non-digital content in the future?
• What are the ways in which non-digital knowledge can be interfaced with digital?

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Panel 1: Knowledge systems: Past and the future

Speaker -

• Sarika Gulyani
• Nagaraj Pappu
• Sreenivas Paruchuri
• Aniket Alam

Moderator -

• Runa Bhattacharjee

Session Brief
Knowledge systems have been an integral part of human societies throughout history, and they continue to play a critical role in shaping our understanding of the world around us. From ancient libraries and archives to modern digital platforms, knowledge systems have evolved in response to the changing needs of society. This panel discussion aims to explore the evolution of knowledge systems, and to consider the challenges and opportunities that we currently face in creating sustainable and equitable knowledge systems for the future. Key Discussion Areas:

• Some of our traditional knowledge systems survived for several centuries (if not for millennia)? How did it happen? What can we learn from that?
• What would be the new frontiers in which our knowledge will grow? Will it grow in conjunction with the academic and research institutions?
• How should we critically analyze our existing systems of knowledge? Will there be a moment where knowledge will not be hosted exclusively by institutions and organizations?
• Can communities of Knowledge shape a different future for the way Knowledge is created and disseminated?

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Panel 2: Educational resources, technological innovation and free knowledge

Speaker -

• Sameera Wijerathna
• Nichole Saad
• Praveen Garimella

Moderator -

• Padma Priya

Session Brief
Education is a fundamental human right and access to quality educational resources is essential for individuals to reach their full potential. However, with the fast-paced changes in technology and the rise of digital resources, the way we access and consume educational resources is constantly changing. This panel discussion aims to explore the relationship between educational resources, technological innovation, and free knowledge, and how these elements can be leveraged to create more equitable and inclusive education systems. Key Discussion Areas:

• Why do we need education resources and should they be free and how can technology help in achieving that?
• When does Knowledge become free? Is it at the behest of an institute?
• Can Knowledge be free and be beneficial?
• Is free knowledge inferior to closed systems of knowledge?
• Can freedom become an integral component of production of knowledge?
• Why is Knowledge not free across all of our learning resources?
• What is the impact of technology on the accessibility and quality of educational resources?
• What is the role of open access in promoting equitable access to knowledge?

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Panel 3: What does a global partnership for education look like?

Speaker -

• Subodh Kulkarni
• Praveen Das
• Jatin Malhotra
• Padma Priya

Moderator -

• Rachit Sharma

Session Brief
Education is a fundamental human right and a key driver of sustainable development. However, despite progress in increasing access to education, many individuals and communities still face significant barriers to accessing quality education. Achieving universal access to education requires a collective effort and a global partnership approach. This panel discussion aims to explore the concept of a global partnership for education, and to consider what such a partnership would look like in practice. Key Discussion Areas:

• What is the nature of available educational and learning content? Who owns this content and who takes the responsibility for it?
• What are the fair models of monetisation of knowledge?
• Is the stability of such partnerships based on content or on technology (machine translation and AI based learning)? What should be the future?
• What is the role of different actors, including governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector, in a global partnership for education?
• What is the role of technology, innovation and open knowledge in promoting global education partnership and in achieving universal education?

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Day 2 Panel 1 - How do we create sustainable knowledge systems?

Speaker -

• SRS Iyengar
• Venkatesh Hariharan
• Aakansha Natani

Moderator -

• Vidhu Goyal

Session Brief:
In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, knowledge is a vital asset for individuals, organizations, and society as a whole. However, the way in which we create, access, and consume knowledge is often unsustainable, leading to information overload, lack of critical thinking, and unequal distribution of knowledge. This panel discussion aims to explore the challenges and opportunities of creating sustainable knowledge systems, and how we can work together to build a future where knowledge is accessible, inclusive, and resilient. Key Discussion Areas:

• Why should there be stable systems of knowledge?
• What are the factors that negatively disrupt our knowledge systems?
• What role of technology in maintaining the stability of these systems?
• Can open and participatory systems of knowledge become stable?
• How should the creation of information influence the creation of knowledge?
• The importance of building communities in creating a sustainable knowledge ecosystem?

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Research Hour - The role of research and technology development in shaping the future of Knowledge creation and consumption

Speaker

• Leila Zia
• Ashutosh Modi
• Amit Awekar
• Ravikiran S
• Vikram Pudi
• Radhika Krishnan

Facilitator -

• Radhika Mamidi

Session Brief:
Today, we are living in a rapidly evolving digital age, where information and knowledge are constantly being created, shared, and consumed. The way in which we access, process, and utilize knowledge is constantly changing, and research and technology development play a vital role in shaping this process. The aim of this session is to explore the impact of technological advancements on knowledge production, dissemination, and access, and discuss the challenges and opportunities that we currently face in creating sustainable and equitable knowledge systems. Key discussion Area:

• Most of the time knowledge enables and builds skills but there are challenges in accessing the knowledge and these challenges are across the mediums we have listed. For eg: in the present age someone adept in technical skills has far more chances of making the best of knowledge than someone who lacks these skills. Similarly, in countries that have experienced high censorship regimes, it will be different (read covert engagement) with certain networks of knowledge.
• Social background, and access to resources are all interesting markers of understanding how do we engage with knowledge?
• Does it come naturally to us?
• Do we sacrifice a lot in gaining this knowledge?
• Is/are the sacrifices/struggles worth it?

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Day 2 Panel 2 - Public archives and participation- Past, Present and Future

Speaker -

• Christos Varvantakis
• Omshivaprakash
• Sneha PP
• Isha Dubey

Moderator -

• Satdeep Gill

Session Brief:
The topic of public archives and the role they play in shaping our understanding of the past, present, and future is of great importance. Public archives are repositories of information, artifacts, and records that reflect the cultural, historical, and societal experiences of a community. They serve as a vital resource for researchers, educators, and the general public, but they also have the potential to be much more than that. This panel discussion aims to explore the ways in which public archives can be used to promote participation and engagement, and how they can be transformed into active spaces that foster dialogue, collaboration and co-creation. We will also look at the challenges and opportunities facing public archives today, including issues of accessibility, representation, and preservation. Key Discussion Areas:

• Has there been a change in the way archives are imagined?
• How can an archive become participatory?
• What is the future of an archive?
• How does an archive influence current and emerging knowledge trends?
• What can archive teach us about the future of learning?

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Keynote 2 - What is the future of open knowledge?

Speaker -

• Sunil Abraham
• Jahnavi Phalkey
• Kamal Karlapalem

​​Facilitator -

• Madhan Muthu

Session Brief:
In today's digital age, access to information and knowledge has never been greater. However, despite the abundance of information available, many people still struggle to access the knowledge they need. This keynote aims to explore the ways in which open knowledge can be made more accessible, inclusive, trustworthy and empowering for all of us. Key Discussion Areas:

• What are the most important factors of change that Open Knowledge systems must keep in mind?
• Is there a common factor of 'good' for all stakeholders involved?
• Should Open Knowledge systems be agnostic of elements such as geography, economy, political and social conditions?
• What can communities, institutes, individuals, and government agencies do to encourage 'good open knowledge systems'?

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Vision panel discussing the keynote and identifying themes/questions for the 2024 conference.

Session Brief:
The Vision panel aims to set the stage for the next conference in 2024 by identifying the most critical issues and opportunities in the field of knowledge creation and consumption, and by providing a roadmap for the conference's program and agenda. The panel will provide a valuable opportunity for attendees to learn more about the current state of the field and to gain insights into the direction in which it is heading.