A DIGITAL FUTURE FOR ALL

In just two decades, digital technologies have reached approximately 50% of the developing world’s population and transformed societies more rapidly than any innovation in our history.Technology can be a great equalizer by improving connectivity, financial inclusion, trade, and public services.

For example, AI-enabled frontier technologies are extending life expectancy, diagnosing diseases, and saving lives in the health care industry.In education, programs that would otherwise be closed to students have been made available through virtual learning environments and distance learning.Through blockchain-powered systems, public services are also becoming more accessible, accountable, and less bureaucratically taxing thanks to AI assistance.Policies and programs that are more responsive and accurate can also be aided by big data.However, those who have not yet connected will continue to be excluded from the advantages of this new era and will fall further behind.Women, the elderly, people with disabilities, members of ethnic or linguistic minorities, indigenous groups, and people who live in poor or remote areas make up a large portion of those who are left behind.Some constituencies are experiencing a slowing or even reverse in the rate of connectivity.

For instance, the percentage of women who use the internet is 12% lower than that of men worldwide.Between 2013 and 2017, this gap decreased in most regions, but it increased in the least developed nations from 30% to 33%.When they are based on data that is not sufficiently diverse, algorithms can replicate and even amplify human and systemic bias.This issue may not be adequately addressed if the technology industry lacks diversity.