AI as a Public Good: From Democratic Principles to Ground-Level Practice
AI as a public good — from democratic principles to ground-level practice. This piece explores how inclusive governance, ethical design, and community-centric deployment can unlock AI’s potential for society at large — making technology more transparent, equitable, and beneficial for all. Read this full article by: Cathal McCarthy and Gaurav Agarwal.
Why Metre by Metre Connectivity Matters for Africa’s Growth
Imagine a continent where millions of people are still economically disconnected even though oceans of bandwidth arrive on its shores. That gap exists because subsea cables alone do not deliver value unless inland fibre networks reach communities and towns far from coastal landing points. In this article Liquid shares its journey building those fibre corridors country by country metre by metre. We examine the challenges of terrain regulation electricity and local partnerships that make or break connectivity efforts. We also show how lowering the cost of data enables more people to access education telehealth and digital business. Africa is ready to rise when its ground networks match its sky-high potential.
Read the full article to see how metre by metre efforts are shaping Africa’s future.
Built your Raspberry Pi Kiwix Hotspot or have questions? Share your experiences or tips in the comments below! Let’s learn together.
Digital inclusion in action at our ACP pop up. The Broadband Hui was well represented with support from @codeforamerica @hawaiiantelcom @getspectrum and @hawaiiliteracy Mahalo to @palamasettlement for allowing us to speard the word about the Affordable Connectivity Program. #digitalequity #broadbandhui #techwithaloha (at Palama Settlement)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjf5_0bLQtY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
Beautiful weather in Kansas City but I spent most of my time in the conference room. #digitalequity @digitalequityhawaii (at The Money Museum - Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjK6XksOKGt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
Digital equity initiatives are popping up every thanks to @kaala. Here we are in Waimanalo with a full class of 20. We had a great digital literacy class, talked about telehealth, the ACP, gave away computers and spread a little Aloha. #digitalequity #broadband #techwithaloha #internetforall (at Puuhonua O Waimanalo)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CiEpQ3puQOc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
As we shift more into the digital sphere, inequalities in both the real world and digital world are becoming increasingly apparent. With the COVID-19 crisis escalating and lifestyles changing to promote remote work and learning, we see how many low income individuals are disadvantaged because they are on a different playing field than their counterparts.
Digital equity and digital divide are interconnected concepts that explain the digital world and our access and participation in it. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (2016) defines digital equity as, “individuals and communities having the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy.” Equal access to technology as well as the knowledge needed to navigate them is essential in digital participation which is equally important to personal achievement and success. When there is not equal access, there is a divide. Pazurek & Feyissa (2015) describe the digital divide as, “the disparity that exists among individuals and communities around the world with varying degrees of access to digitally mediated information and communication technologies (ICTs) and ability to benefit from digital resources” (p. 3). This divide puts many at risk in different aspects of life such as work and school.
These concepts are related and important to discuss in trying times like these, because this inequality is exacerbated by others. While inequalities do affect individuals differently, there are collective experiences shared by communities. Many households who do not have access to technological devices are paying the price by not having access to the news, school work, and the internet in general. A study done by the Pew Research Center last year found that 82 percent of white Americans reported owning a desktop or laptop computer, compared with 58 percent of African Americans and 57 percent of Hispanics (Perrin & Turner, 2019). Many of the inequalities people face in life can also translate to the inequalities they face digitally. Many people affected by this digital divide are done so because of the socioeconomic status and their race.
Because this divide exists and affects people disproportionately, people are experiencing many disadvantages especially because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students that come from households that don’t have ICTs or internet access are falling behind in school or can’t participate at all. Abdalla (2020) reports that Jordan Shapiro, author of The New Childhood: Raising Kids to Thrive in a Connected World, says, “It’s an epistemological divide where if you didn’t have a device pre-pandemic and you still don’t have one or just got one, you have not learned how to think in that way, you are at a total disadvantage in terms of not just your access to [applications], but your ability to participate well in the activity.” All in all, the digital divide affects the ability of many people in how they access and participate in the digital world.
The topic of importance this week was framed around two vital terms: digital equity and digital divide. To discuss them at depth, it’s noteworthy to determine what exactly these words mean. Digital divide is the concept of one group of individuals getting a better opportunity for internet communication between another group. As Scientific American explains an example, “ We are already experiencing the way that the old, pre-digital divides are now labeled as new types of divides in the social Web context, such as the connectivity inequalities - high-speed wireless for those who can afford it and second-class wireless for poor and rural Americans have been recently mentioned as a “new digital divide“. “ (Radovanovic, 2011) So even in a first world country such as America, we’re still experiencing new aspects of digital divide everyday.
Digital equity is the possibility of being able to use technology and have access to it. As Govtech puts it, “ Digital equity refers to whether people can access and effectively use the technology necessary to participate in modern society. Another phrase, “digital inclusion,” denotes efforts to remedy deficits in digital equity. Simply put, digital equity is what cities and states want, and digital inclusion is the work they and their partners are doing to create it. “ (Quaintance, 2018). This idea is slightly newer than that of digital divide, but it emphasizes an important point that needs to be made; everyone deserves access to the digital landscape of the web.
It’s fascinating to see what the impact of using the web brings to an individual. It’s so important that the government has taken strides to bring the web to many. Just take a look at what Quaintance has said about the positive aspects of tech-” … it [government tech departments] will become even more important as technology continues to advance and services continue to migrate online. Overcoming major obstacles — such as having to travel to a public library to use it or lacking the skills to find resources and forms — positively impacts communities, leading to kids doing better in school, senior citizens having an easier time receiving health care, and adults being able to get and keep better jobs, said Angela Siefer, executive director of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, a nonprofit group that advocates for digital equity.” (Quaintance, 2011).
So what other things can we do to stop forms of digital inequity? Well, that’s something that the NDIA is attempting to solve. “ NDIA is offering these definitions in an effort to create consensus and provide a resource to various stakeholder groups, including NDIA affiliates, funders, and policymakers (local, state, and national). We recognize that while the technology will change, the goals and steps toward achieving digital equity should have continuity. Defining these terms is an important step in that direction. “ (Siefer, 2016). So, while the answer on HOW to solve these pressing issues is not exactly immediately present, we’ve been able to at least define WHAT the problem is. As Siefer mentions, this is a big first step that exists regardless of the new tech coming out. New tech constantly coming out shouldn’t scare us either, it should inspire us to get this tech in the hands of everyone faster!
It’s not just the government that has noted the abilities of tech and taken steps to get it in the hands of everyone; schools and other institutions are seeing the positive aspects as well. Laura Ascione, a writer for eschoolnews, has an excellent article that details 10 different stories of how digital equity and divide are being handled by various schools and companies. She also discusses the benefits of universal tech. “ Giving students a device is one step in the fight to close equity gaps–students may not have internet access at home, but at least in school, they’re closing the access gap and are able to learn to use the digital tools and build the digital skills they’ll need for success.” (Ascione, 2018).
As you may see, most of these articles have been published within the last 10 years, which to me confirms that this is a relatively recent issue that has arisen. This is especially true considering how much more our society relies on tech everyday. It’s my hope that the combined efforts of the government and citizens alike can come together to tackle this issue head on and get some form of tech in everyone’s hands. Internet cafes and libraries are a great start- we should expand on these and focus heavily on third world countries where these currently aren’t available.
SOURCES:
https://www.govtech.com/civic/The-Quest-for-Digital-Equity.html
https://www.benton.org/blog/what-do-we-mean-when-we-say-digital-equity-and-digital-inclusion
https://www.eschoolnews.com/2018/10/17/10-conversations-about-digital-equity/
Digital divide “describes the disparity that exists among individuals and communities around the world with varying degrees of access to digitally mediated information and communication technologies (ICTs) and ability to benefit from digital resources” (Pazurek & Feyissa, 2015). In short, this term encompasses the gap in digital technologies that are available to those who have certain capital and access to resources versus those who do not have this privilege. As for digital equity, this term “ensures all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy” (The National Digital Inclusion Alliance, 2016). In other words, digital equity ensures fairness and bringing services to populations or areas that would otherwise not be able to access the necessary technologies needed to be on an equal-level playing field as those communities that have access.
These two terms work well together in that one explains the gap in technologies and the other tries to close this gap. It is important to be able to provide access to all in order for people to participate in society and continue to learn. When access is limited, denied, or blocked, it closes off people to parts of the world that can benefit them or provide them with more opportunities. As a world that is constantly mediated by digital technology, those without access will be far behind and won’t be able to advance at the same levels as others. For example, when we consider education, children in low-income districts will be hindered from learning skills to make them successful in our world’s economy (Soltan). Based on a Pew Report (2012), 62% of people who live in households making less than $30,000 used the internet compared to 90% of people in households making $50,000 to $74,999 a year (Smith & Zickuhr, 2012).
This is why it is important to have digital inclusion as well, which makes sure disadvantaged groups receive access to ICTs that are affordable and meets basic requirements for continued use (The National Digital Inclusion Alliance, 2016). So while we consider digital divide, digital equity, and digital inclusion, one thing to consider is that changes won’t occur overnight. It will take awhile to ensure equity, but as long as work is being done to get there, we are on the right track. As the times change, these terms need to evolve with the increase and change in technologies every year that continue to add another layer of complexity.
Digital equity is a condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy. Digital equity is one of the most complex and urgent issues facing educators. It’s an economic concern, as schools consider how they can ensure equal access for all. I agree with Professor Benjamin when she said that “the goal is not to simply empower our students to success in the world of today, but to give them the tools and opportunities that will allow them to imagine and create alternatives to the current system and culture. Technology is making it easier for students regardless of age, gender, income, or geography to learn anytime, anywhere.
