The Indian economy, society and polity are undergoing fundamental and profound structural transformations due to digitisation. The one thing we cannot afford is to lose all control over the direction and pace of change and, consequently, have limited or no control over our own future. It is equally manifest that excessive controls will cripple the innovation so critical to the growth of the digital economy and society. Control, therefore, involves not mere value judgement, but also careful calibration.

The first step, we believe, is to undertake long term scenario building research on various aspects of digitisation. Can we consciously “invest” in those possibilities that are most desirable? Can we avert the many pitfalls that lurk amidst this sea of opportunities? CDF aims to be a key contributor to that large national endeavour. Thinking of the future generation requires us to start now, plan invest ahead and stay the course

We envisage a long and possibly perpetual state of transition that India would pass through on the road to becoming fully digital. Along this journey, a number of issues have already arisen and will continue to confront us. They need to be addressed with a clear vision of the desired future that we wish to attain. Our aim would be to focus not on the immediate commercial or political impact, but on the people.

How digitisation is impacting or can be made to impact lives and livelihoods of people will be the central theme of our research efforts. How markets, regulations and policies need to be structured to best leverage digital for the people is the central purpose of CDF. Our aim is not to stray into ideological or philosophical debates, but to provide frameworks in which commerce and business remain viable while being people centric.

India has a unique advantage of being a very diverse society. We have people with diverse preferences within the same income class and diverse incomes among people with similar preferences. And, given our size, regardless of how narrowly we define a particular stratum of our society, we will have millions of actors undertaking millions of actions leaving digital footprints that are amenable to all forms of mathematical and statistical analyses and experimentations. Indian data can, therefore, generate great value for Indians and the world. The over-arching research question in front of CDF is the following: How best to steer the evolving

Indian digital economy and society to maximize its value to its citizens? Our research would encompass key domains such as healthcare, agriculture, financial services and retail. We intend to investigate how policy and regulation are impacting, and can be made. CDF will create a network of researchers in India and abroad, host thought leaders on the digital economy, solicit research on various topics, invite independent researchers to work with CDF and follow an active policy of dissemination of its research. Its clientele will consist of academics, businesses and policymakers.

Our focus remains on the following key aspects:

• What is Data? Whose data? Who collects? Who uses? Who has and should have rights over raw data and processed data?
• Relationship between data owners and providers of services based on data [individual and aggregate].
• Role of the State in ensuring protection of citizen and consumer data from non-legitimate use.
• The necessity or otherwise of protection of safe harbor for platforms, their role in advancing to a digital economy, their role as disrupters and creators of new business models.
• Information asymmetry between individuals and corporates, individuals and the State, and countries and global corporations.
• Balancing development needs and national security concerns.
• Need for innovation in digital technologies, optimizing its impact and outcomes.
• Current contract and commercial laws: how they play out in the data/digital economy.
• Building India’s comparative advantage in digital technologies and leveraging it. Creating and protecting IPRs for “Innovation in India for the World”.
• Helping to evolve a conceptual framework for application of sovereign laws bounded by State jurisdictions in a globalized cyber space.

CDF will raise funds without making any commitments regarding the outcome of research projects. CDF, in turn, is committed not to undertake any research based on any pre-conceived notions, theories or positions. All research papers would be public documents to be freely used by governments, businesses, media and other stake holders as well as international entities.