CIS 110 Intro to Computers: Global Distinction Project

A study on the digital divide by the Information and Technology Innovation Foundation

Digital inclusion is a critical foundation for shared economic and social progress, and it is important that no community or country is excluded from digital tools and technologies. This report goes beyond the conventional focus on access and skills, and aims to present a holistic and multistakeholder approach for digital inclusion that is action-oriented and responsive to evolving global trends.

This policy brief examines the implications of digitalization in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations (FCS). Digitalization has a transformative potential but simultaneously presents distinctive challenges, particularly in FCS characterized by infrastructural limitations, weak governance, and socio-economic disparities. The OECD identifies digitalisation as one of the intensifying factors for the growing inequality between FCS and the rest of the world. However, in FCS the story extends beyond inequalities between countries to inequalities within countries which are more critical for the FCS context as inequalities exacerbate fragility and conflict.

This essay explores the landscape of public data governance, drawing insights from the first edition of the Global Data Barometer (GDB).4 It delves into the complexities, challenges and opportunities inherent in this domain, emphasizing the potential of data governance as a catalyst for positive societal change and inclusive development.

This article examines recent trends and developments in authoritarian regimes’ transnational digital influence operations, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will address changes in the information environment that have proved fertile for such operations, the methods and goals of key players in this space, and provide insight on ways that democratic governments can update their own thinking and processes to increase resilience and capacity

This commentary explores MENA”s AI governance, addressing gaps, showcasing successful strategies, and comparing national approaches. It emphasizes current deficiencies, highlights regional contributions to global AI governance, and offers insights into effective frameworks. The study reveals distinctions and trends in MENA”s national AI strategies, serving as a concise resource for policymakers and industry stakeholders.

Research demonstrates that the digital economy, particularly crowd and ‘on-demand’ work, could provide opportunities that would enable women refugees to overcome these barriers to work. As it stands, however, the digital economy is still in its infancy, especially in host countries in MENA, and it is still fraught with challenges, including barriers to entry, employee protections and the lack of guarantees to decent work, especially for vulnerable and marginalised communities. We therefore argue that there is a need to direct efforts to maximise the benefits that the digital economy could offer, especially to refugee women – a need that has become even more pertinent since the coronavirus pandemic.

This report explores the state of digital inclusion in the MENA region, highlighting both progress and challenges. It covers the digital divide caused by factors such as income, gender, and rural-urban divides. The report also discusses efforts by countries like Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia to improve digital inclusion, particularly through infrastructure investments and policies aimed at boosting internet access and affordability.

This study analyzes how variables such as age, gender, education, and income influence internet usage across MENA countries. It offers valuable insights into the socio-economic and cultural factors driving digital access disparities in the region. The article also highlights specific challenges in countries like Yemen, Morocco, and Egypt, making it useful for understanding the broader context of digital literacy efforts in the region.

This resource focuses on the pronounced gender digital divide in MENA countries. It explains how women, particularly in rural areas, face significant barriers to accessing digital technologies due to cultural norms and socio-economic disparities.

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the digital skills gap in MENA countries and highlights how digital literacy initiatives could create job opportunities in emerging industries like IT. It specifically looks at countries like Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco, offering detailed insights into the digital economy and workforce development. 

This research highlights the importance of teaching critical digital literacy in the MENA region, particularly in addressing the spread of misinformation and fake news. It emphasizes the need to equip vulnerable groups, such as the youth and elderly, with skills to critically assess online content.