APC Talk
This section is a space where APC's staff, members and readers can open up conversations on topics that are of interest for the ICT community. It is a space where authors get to be themselves – sometimes to express opinions and challenge the readers on issues and topics that are close to them, sometimes to share their personal experience on an event or a current debate. The views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the views of APC or its network, but that does not make them any less valuable.
Disruptions to the internet and social media applications have emerged as a common and growing trend of digital repression, especially in authoritarian countries in Africa. Since 2019, numerous countries in the region have either restricted or fully blocked access to the internet.
The accelerated growth of e-commerce, especially e-shopping, has been one of the themes of COVID-19’s relationship with digital. What’s been happening, what’s the likely impact and, as always, who are likely to be winners and losers in this part of the digital ecosystem?
What can AI do that humans can’t? What can humans do that AI can’t?
This piece is the second in a series where Julia Keseru explores the connection between our online systems and bodily integrity, and the long-term effects of digital innovation on our collective well-being.
Technological disruption is complex. It shouldn’t just be understood as progress or as threat. There will be winners and losers from it.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a spike in gender-based violence in India. Helplines and digital tools have been used to reach out to survivors, given the absence of physical services. But women who can't use phones, email or social media are most likely to be entirely excluded from these systems.
Last week I wrote about digitalisation and geopolitics. This week, a closer look at one aspect of that: the tussle between global data management and national sovereignty.
And what do we think the internet is made from, anyway? It is technology or is it people? Is it data moving through the ether (between bits of kit and data centres) or is it those who generate and use the data?
Association for Progressive Communications (APC) 2020
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