Library | ESG issues

Technology & Online Harm

Technology & online harm refers to the risks and challenges linked to existing and emerging digital technologies such as AI, blockchain, and cryptocurrencies. While these innovations can enhance efficiency and productivity, they also introduce risks like fraud, misinformation, regulatory uncertainty, and ethical dilemmas, requiring careful oversight and responsible adoption.

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Salient Issue Briefing: Artificial intelligence based technologies

Investor Alliance for Human Rights
This briefing examines human rights risks from AI-based technologies in the ICT sector, outlines business, legal, and financial implications, and provides investor-oriented guidance grounded in international standards to support rights-respecting AI development, deployment, and oversight.
Research
9 April 2025

Responsible investing in defence, security and resilience

NATO Innovation Fund (NIF)
The NATO Innovation Fund advocates removing financial exclusions on defence to bolster European security. The report recommends reforming procurement for rapid dual-use technology adoption and implementing a ‘Responsible Use Framework’ to ensure ethical development of emerging capabilities like AI and autonomous systems.
Research
21 January 2025

The use of the Lavender in Gaza and the law of targeting: AI-decision support systems and facial recognition technology

The report analyses Israel’s alleged use of the ‘Lavender’ AI decision-support system and facial recognition in Gaza, assessing compliance with international humanitarian law. It highlights risks from inaccuracy, bias, automation and opacity, concluding that commanders must retain judgement and verification to meet targeting obligations.
Research
23 May 2025

Preparing for next-generation information warfare with generative AI

Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
The report analyses how generative AI reshapes information warfare by enabling scalable manipulation, behavioural influence and dual-use knowledge diffusion. It highlights heightened risks to civilians, military operations and international law, stressing gaps in protection and the need for anticipatory, whole-of-society resilience strategies.
Research
10 December 2024

Integrating ESG and AI: A comprehensive responsible AI assessment framework

The report introduces an ESG-AI framework enabling investors to assess AI-related environmental, social, and governance risks. Drawing on insights from 28 companies, it provides use-case materiality analysis, governance indicators, and deep-dive assessments to support transparent, responsible AI evaluation and investment decisions.
Research
10 June 2025

Responsible Digital Finance Ecosystem (RDFE): A conceptual framework

Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP)
The report outlines a framework for a Responsible Digital Finance Ecosystem, urging holistic, collaborative consumer protection amid rising digital finance risks. It defines ecosystem actors and four pillars—customer centricity, collaboration, capability, and commitment—to strengthen regulation, improve outcomes, and reduce harms in rapidly evolving digital financial services.
Research
1 September 2024

Fake friend: How ChatGPT betrays vulnerable teens by encouraging dangerous behavior

Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH)
This report examines how ChatGPT can expose teenagers to harmful content, including self-harm, disordered eating and substance abuse guidance. Researchers posing as 13-year-olds found safeguards were easily bypassed, with over half of tested prompts generating unsafe outputs. The report calls for stronger age controls, transparency, and safety enforcement.
Research
12 September 2025

On YouTube, a Shift from Denying Science to Dismissing Solutions

This article dives into an analysis of over 12,000 YouTube videos and finds that while outright climate-change denial is dropping, content undermining climate solutions and trust in scientists is rising sharply. It also highlights concerns over YouTube’s ad policies, which still allow monetisation alongside videos that downplay impacts or spread misleading claims about climate policy.
Article
18 November 2025

2025 World investment report: International investment in the digital economy

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
This report summarises international investment trends in the digital economy, focusing on data, digital infrastructure, and technology services. It highlights uneven global distribution, the role of multinational enterprises, and policy implications for sustainable development, emphasising the need for balanced regulatory frameworks and equitable access to digital opportunities worldwide.
Research
22 July 2025

Center for disaster management and risk reduction technology

Academic Institutions
Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM) is an interdisciplinary research centre at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, enhancing disaster resilience. Focusing on natural and human-made hazards—such as earthquakes, droughts, heatwaves and floods—it develops early warning systems, risk mapping and forensic disaster analysis. Ideal for innovators in disaster risk science.
Organisation
1 research item

Unlocking value from technology in banking: An investor lens

McKinsey & Company
The report outlines how banks can link technology investments to value creation. It presents a framework to improve returns through strategic allocation, outcome-based execution, and transparency. It identifies five tech-enabled themes that align with shareholder value drivers such as revenue growth, fee income, and risk mitigation.
Research
22 October 2024

Starting up: Responsible investment in venture capital

Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
This report examines how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are being adopted in venture capital. It outlines current practices, challenges, and industry-specific considerations, and highlights the need for tailored guidance, collaboration, and early-stage engagement to advance responsible investment across the venture capital ecosystem.
Research
19 January 2022

Artificial intelligence in financial services

World Economic Forum
AI is reshaping financial services by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs and unlocking new revenue opportunities. With $97 billion in projected investment by 2027, firms must address risks like misinformation and data bias while prioritising governance, regulation and workforce reskilling to ensure responsible, secure and effective AI adoption.
Research
21 January 2025

Regulating AI in the financial sector: Recent developments and main challenges

The report outlines AI’s growing use in finance—especially in underwriting, fraud detection, and customer support—highlighting regulatory challenges around explainability, governance, and data security. It discusses evolving global guidance and the need for risk-based, proportionate oversight, particularly as generative AI gains traction in high-impact applications.
Research
12 December 2024

Navigating portfolio exposure to conflict-affected and high-risk areas: Practical guidance for investor engagement with companies

Heartland Initiative
This report offers practical guidance for investors engaging companies on managing conflict-affected and high-risk area (CAHRA) exposure. It highlights legal obligations, best practices in heightened human rights due diligence, and governance strategies, drawn from pilot dialogues with tech and renewable energy firms. Recommendations target risk mitigation aligned with global standards.
Research
30 April 2025

AI, data governance and privacy: Synergies and areas of international co-operation

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
This report examines the synergies between artificial intelligence, data governance, and privacy, highlighting international collaboration opportunities. It identifies key regulatory frameworks, interoperability standards, and policy recommendations to address shared global challenges and promote responsible AI deployment while safeguarding data privacy across jurisdictions.
Research
26 June 2024
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