Inaugural segment of the G20 Conference in the age of NFTs, AI and Metaverse

The article is a transcript of the inaugural session of the G20 Conference on 'Crime and Security in the Age of NFTs, AI, and Metaverse,' held under India's G20 presidency. The event, organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), emphasizes harnessing emerging technologies for national security while addressing cyber threats through public-private partnerships and global collaboration. Union Minister Amit Shah is welcomed as the chief guest for his advocacy of technology in law enforcement, including initiatives like the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I-4C) for crime prevention via databases, forensic tools, and police networks. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla delivers the welcome address, highlighting the conference's uniqueness as the first G20 event on ICT-related crime challenges. He welcomes dignitaries including Ministers Rajiv Chandrashekhar (Electronics and IT) and Ajay Mishra (Home Affairs), NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Berry, and representatives from academia, industry (e.g., NASSCOM President Devjani Ghosh, Zerodha founder Nitin Kamath), and G20 nations. Bhalla stresses collective action against digital risks, the role of India's cyber volunteer scheme in citizen engagement, and the need for adaptive legal frameworks to combat cross-border crimes in NFTs, AI, and metaverse. Devjani Ghosh congratulates MHA, noting the digital era's realities: by 2025, global data will reach 175 zettabytes; India's digital infrastructure fuels economic growth but faces escalating cyber threats costing $8 trillion in 2023, rising to $10.5 trillion by 2025. She portrays technology as both a tool for attacks and defense, urging global cooperation for secure digital economies. Rajiv Chandrashekhar discusses India's rapid digitalization, with 840 million internet users projected to reach 1.2 billion soon, transforming governance via Digital India. He acknowledges technology's dual potential for good (e.g., e-governance) and harm (toxicity, misinformation, cybercrime), advocating international frameworks for cross-jurisdictional investigations, tools, and protocols to ensure a safe cyberspace. Amit Shah launches the Cyber Volunteer Squads banner, involving seven institutions (e.g., IIT Madras, National Law University Delhi, NALSAR University) to promote awareness, flag unlawful content, and provide expertise in cybersecurity. He also releases the conference medallion. In his inaugural address (delivered in Hindi with English translation available), Shah underscores technology's role in building a 'global digital village,' the need for intelligence-sharing networks, responsible AI use, real-time threat intelligence, 24x7 cybersecurity mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks for digital currencies and emerging tech to enable predictive, preventive actions against cybercrimes. The session concludes with thanks and anticipation for two days of discussions on best practices, partnerships, and strategies for a secure digital future, reflecting India's commitment to 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (world as one family) in cybersecurity.