Inside the digital society
David Souter writes a weekly column for APC, looking at different aspects of the information society, development and rights. David’s pieces take a fresh look at many of the issues that concern APC and its members, with the aim of provoking discussion and debate. Issues covered include internet governance and sustainable development, human rights and the environment, policy, practice and the use of ICTs by individuals and communities.
The pandemic’s changed a lot of ways in which societies are working. How far are these changes temporary and how far permanent? Should governments and businesses leverage these changes or seek to rebuild what’s been lost?
Debate on children’s rights online has focused most on child protection, to some extent on education, not enough on the general digital experience of children.
This week’s blog’s a ‘sneak peek’ of the chapter I’ve written for this year’s Global Information Society Watch (GISWatch) report by APC. It’s an overview of the main issues around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the environment and the digital society.
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?
Technological disruption is complex. It shouldn’t just be understood as progress or as threat. There will be winners and losers from it.
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?
When people talk about the digital society, what’s their priority?
This week’s blog, the first of 2021, is a keynote presentation to the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD)’s review of progress towards the Information Society since the World Summit (WSIS) of 2003/2005. It reviews last year and looks forward to recovery.
Association for Progressive Communications (APC) 2020
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