From Texting Capital to Digital Inclusion: Addressing the Digital Poverty in the Philippines – Nattaya Jaratruangsaeng

The Philippines is a highly communication-dependent country, especially in comparison to other ASEAN nations. Since the late 1990s, it has held the title of being the “world’s texting capital” because of how often we use SMS services to communicate with our loved ones and friends in and out of the country. While time has allowed […]

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PECA’s Power Play: Can Pakistani Youth Keep Their Voices Online? – Maryam Khalid

Pakistan’s digital landscape buzzes with activity. Young people are at the forefront, engaging in vibrant online communities and different social media scenes. However, a recent update to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) has cast a shadow of uncertainty. This article explores the implications of these amendments for free speech in Pakistan’s digital space. […]

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Inclusive AI for a Culturally Rich Future – Bea Guevarra

Large Language Models (LLMs) are rapidly weaving itself into the fabric of our lives. However, its true potential can only be unlocked if it understands the rich tapestry of human cultures and languages. Culturally inclusive LLMs hold the key to transforming how we interact with technology and ensuring it serves the global population fairly. The […]

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From Ballots to Bytes: Tracing the Impact of Parliamentary Elections on Iran’s Digital Sphere – Hesam Norouzpour

*This article is originally published in the Asia Pacific Policy Observatory May 2024 Report. The recent legislative elections in Iran, held on March 1, 2024, concluded with results that largely met expectations. A key policy area anticipated to dominate the agenda of the newly elected legislative assembly is the governance of digital space.  Iran’s approach to […]

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Cambodia’s Youth and the Digital Space of Tomorrow – Ananya Ramani

*This article is originally published in the Asia Pacific Policy Observatory May 2024 Report. The 2024 Election On February 25, 2024, Cambodia held its Senate elections. The ruling party, the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) won 55 of the 58 electoral seats with only three seats going to the opposition following an election that was marred by […]

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