Projects

Workstreams and Deliverables

STREAM 1│Develop and promote a new generation of digital public goods

Identify gaps in tax and fiscal administration adoption of technology solutions and opportunities for transformation, and bring together a diverse stakeholder group to fund, build, and deploy innovative open-source technology solutions that respond to the needs of multiple governments in developing countries.

1. Conduct a survey of technology solutions, country needs, and gaps. The survey will focus on tax administrations’: (i) adoption of technology across multiple areas including but not limited to digital payment, digital identity, and data interoperability, as well as advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (“AI”), blockchain, and data systems; (ii) experiences with designing and implementing such solutions; (iii) inventory of solutions developed in-house; (iv) needs not currently met by commercial off-the-shelf software; and (v) data governance, including policies on data privacy, access to information, use of data for research purpose, and open source software. The study will be undertaken in developing countries, emerging markets, and advanced economies.

2. Develop the market for a new class of digital public goods. The forum will provide a “marketplace” for developing country and emerging market governments, foundations, other investors, and members of the Collaborative to learn about and access a network of digital public goods for investment. The Forum will use the market survey as the point of departure and develop the appropriate mechanisms for advising countries in prioritizing needs, securing commitments from client governments, and managing governance risks (e.g., regarding software maintenance, information security controls, and vendor lock-in.) The Collaborative will choose one or more high impact technology areas and design and execute a comprehensive process to bring them to market.  This work will include identifying and bringing in the right stakeholder groups; designing a product strategy that solves common needs across a number of countries; developing and operationalizing a technology governance model that prioritizes open-source software license models and transparency; identifying and pursuing funding sources; and overseeing the development and implementation of the technology. This forum will be introduced, recognized and supported by AI World Society Innovation Network (AIWS.net)

STREAM 2│Establish a network of change agents to advance technology adoption

Create a network of experts and champions (i.e., “change agents”) at the managerial / technical and political levels that can champion the adoption of innovative technologies in government, in particular those involving the Ministries of Finance and Tax Administrations. The network is over time expected to support the second work stream, namely the prioritization, design, and adoption of digital public goods.

3. Create a Management of Tax and Technology training program. Establish a network of capable champions of technology transformation in tax administrations. The training will be case based, focusing on practical applications of data analytics, artificial intelligence, blockchain, open source solutions, and other technologies; opportunities and challenges in the integration of innovative technologies into production environments; legal, ethical, procurement, security risks, and safeguards pertaining to their use; and governance of disruptive technologies. The training program will draw upon world class lecturers from the Collaborative, academia more broadly, governments, and the private sector. The class will be designed and overseen by a committee, with responsibility for course management delegated to VIA University. Participant trainers will be appointed by the relevant government bodies.

4. Coordinate a Lecture Series on Technology, Governance, and Fiscal Policy. The lecture series will focus on current topics at the intersection of technology, business strategy / process, and law, as well as technology governance and principles development within the realm of advanced technology. The purpose is to shape decision making in governments by: (i) facilitating knowledge sharing regarding the evaluation and use of innovative technologies; (ii) showcasing proven and experimental solutions; (iii) creating awareness of risk and key success factors in the design, procurement, and implementation of innovative software solutions; and (iv) sharing good practices and soft standards for their governance. This work will be coordinated by a committee and each session will be managed by a member of the Collaborative.

5. Exercise thought leadership on new technology governance models. Author and publish thought papers discussing: (i) new technology innovations that have the potential to disrupt tax administration; (ii) case studies describing countries or areas where technology adoption has improved aspects of tax administration; and (iii) new technology governance models that promote flexibility, transparency, interoperability, and collaboration, e.g., in the form of new technology standards.