Written by Faisal Ahmed Bhubon (Edited by Jenna Manhau Fung)
Training Session 5: Digital Economy & Emerging Technologies was held successfully on February 2, 2023. The session consisted of a case study presentation delivered by the NetMission fellows, speaker sharing, Q&A, and breakout group discussions. Topics including “Vision for the Digital Future & Enabling Emerging countries”, “When Intimacy & sexuality meet technology”, and “Web 3.0 & Metaverse” were shared and discussed during the session.
The NetMission fellows started off the presentation by elaborating on the definition of the digital economy and emerging technologies. They stated that the digital economy refers to the activities generated by the daily online connections between people, businesses, devices, data and processes; and emerging trends are the new and developing patterns, ideas, or technologies that have the potential to shape or influence a particular industry or society. They mentioned the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017 and illustrated how it affects the cyberspace and digital economy in Japan, China and South Korea then.
After the fellow’s presentation, our first speaker, Dr. Jessica M. Szczuka, shared on the topic of “When Intimacy & sexuality meet technology”. Dr. Szczuka explained that information technology is motivated by what people want and that it is used to improve and ease their lives. For example, telephone sex, photography, and videography have evolved into virtual reality, showing how technology has changed over time to meet people’s needs.
Another speaker, Gabriel (Msabila) Karsan, added a discussion on Internet Ethics, exploring the role that the internet plays in our lives and in society as a whole. He emphasized the importance of considering the ethical implications of the use of the internet, especially as it becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives.
Finally, our last speaker, Puteri Ameena Hishammuddin shared about Web 3.0 – a community-based internet where video sites and other platforms have become businesses. As these businesses use personal data for customized advertisements, privacy has become a growing concern. Web 3.0 aims to address this issue by creating a more privacy-focused internet where users have greater control over their personal information.
In the breakout group, one participant shared her experience in policy making and laws. She initially started with the basics, but after discovering the importance of Internet Governance, she realized its potential to help her community. This realization led her to understand the significance of spreading awareness and sharing information with stakeholders.
During the breakout group discussion session, the attendees stated the importance of citizen-centric or people-centered design in overcoming the digital divide. The group emphasized that policies must be centered around people to ensure inclusion and break down barriers to accessing technology. The participants recognized that policies need to be inclusive and consider the needs of all citizens, not just a select few, to bridge the digital divide and promote equality in technology access and usage.
In summary, the breakout group discussions highlighted the importance of considering the needs of all stakeholders, particularly citizens, in policymaking and technology design. The participants stressed the significance of spreading awareness and sharing information on Internet Governance to promote the well-being of communities. The group also emphasized the need for policies that are inclusive and centered around people to address the digital divide and promote equal access to technology.
In conclusion, the fifth training session covered important topics related to the impact of technology on our lives and society. The speakers emphasized the need to consider ethical implications, such as privacy concerns, as technology continues to advance and shape our world. Web 3.0 offers a promising solution to these challenges, by creating a community-based internet that prioritizes privacy and puts users in control of their personal data.