Democratisation of technology: Leveraging technology for development
The democratisation of technology has been dramatic through digitisation. New technologies and improved user experiences have empowered those outside of the technology industry to access and use technological products and services
Technology is an important factor for global development. Development is a core issue for the Global South, many of whose members are being left behind in achieving their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The key factors behind this unequal state of affairs are technology, finance, and information.
Thomas Friedman has argued that the era of globalisation has been characterised by democratisation of technology, finance, and information (The World is Flat, 2004). However, with the pace of globalisation slowing down, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, democratisation of technology too has taken a hit.
Democratisation of technology refers to the process by which access to technology progressively becomes more easily available to more people at a reasonable cost. Historically, the printing press is the earliest recorded instance of technology opening new frontiers of knowledge dissemination, leading to the empowerment of a greater number of people.
Since the mid-1990s, the internet has been the prime vehicle of universal democratisation of knowledge and information.
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The effects of democratisation of technology have been dramatic, more so with digitisation. New technologies and improved user experiences have empowered those outside of the technology industry to access and use technological products and services.
In India, think UPI, mobile banking WhatsApp, X, etc —tools being used regularly by the country's 900 million mobile phone users, mostly connected to the internet, including a vast user base in rural areas. The 'open source' model allows users to participate directly in the development of software. Upgrades in communication technology have made the globe more interconnected than ever.
Democratisation of technology has helped 'the last person in the queue' to access public services with ease and reduced corruption, get timely access to relief when hit by natural disasters, and get useful and reliable information, allowing meaningful participation in the democratic process.
It has made markets more broad-based and diversified, and consumers are able to use complex technological products without the guidance of qualified professionals.
Such job categories have taken a hit, a situation whose downward spiral is being perpetrated by developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning technology.
However, we should not lose sight of the challenges faced by the democratisation of technology, which is hampered by the slow pace of digitisation and infrastructure gaps, particularly in developing countries. Gender and social inequities restricting access to and use of technology, and the data divide, too, needs to be addressed.
Cybersecurity and data privacy concerns are felt at all levels. What is comforting is that both governments and technology-driven companies are addressing these concerns while moving ahead with their programs to harness technology for the benefit of the masses.
In India, the democratisation of technology is manifested in some remarkable programs that have changed the lives of millions.
The prime example is the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), part of the 'India Stack', which operates digital identification, payments, and data management. The Common Service Centres (CSC) are the access points for delivery of government-to-citizen (G2C) e-services within reach of citizens by creating nation-wide physical service delivery ICT infrastructure.
The Namo Drone Didi initiative has many goals, including addressing gender inequality issues, empowerment and pride among women, modernisation of agricultural practices, and substantial income to the rural women folk.
The two hundred thousand Aayushman Aarogya mandirs in India's villages directly connect health centres with the best hospitals and modern technology. bringing professional medical expertise and services, largely concentrated in urban areas, to rural India. The India AI Mission, or 'AI for All,' is aimed at the democratisation of the benefits of AI across all strata of society.
A key issue, particularly for the Global South, which has been pursued vigourously by India, is the growing gap between developed and developing countries in the access and endogenous production and development of climate technologies.
This has been a key constraint on collective progress in global efforts to achieve sustainable development and effective climate action under UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. Developing countries view technology transfer and capacity building as the keys to reducing the technology and wealth gap. Both climate mitigation and adaptation require huge funding transfers from developed countries as per past commitments.
Unfortunately, even at COP29 in Baku last year, the level of funding pledged was nowhere near the level required to achieve set goals. There have been repeated calls for enhanced international cooperation arrangements, through reform of existing WTO-mandated trade rules, to permit developing countries to protect emerging green industries through tariffs, subsidies, and public procurement.
The ray of hope on the horizon is that industries driven by frontier technologies like blockchain, drones, gene editing, nanotechnology, electric vehicles, solar and wind energy, and green hydrogen could create a market of over $9.5 billion by 2030 (UNCTAD estimate).
Some developing and emerging economies like India have made important policy changes to seize some of the opportunities in these sectors. It is hoped that with increasing democratisation of technology and effective partnership between developed and developing countries, mankind's development goals will be reached sooner rather than later.
Debnath Shaw (IFS 1984, Retd), former High Commissioner to Tanzania and Ambassador to Azerbaijan. Served in Indian Missions in Hong Kong, Beijing (twice), Bonn, and Dhaka and at Headquarters in various positions. Visiting Fellow at CSIS, Washington, DC 2004-05.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
