Analyzing the Role of Connectivity on Economic & Human Development
- The Results
Challenge completed! Results follow soon.
In this AI challenge with UNDP 50 technology changemakers are building an AI-based solution for identifying the relationship between connectivity and human development indicators (life expectancy, education, and/or per capita income).
The problem
Connectivity has become a defining feature of the modern economy and one of the significant trends of the 21st century. In this context, the term digital divide has emerged, which refers to the gap between individuals who have access to reliable, high-speed internet (allowing them to access modern information and communication technology) and those who do not. In America for example, this form of inequality is most prevalent between urban and rural communities (with many rural communities lacking reliable internet access) and between socioeconomic groups, with lower-income individuals less likely to have access than their wealthier counterparts. Adding to this problem, COVID 19 has changed the role and importance of connectivity.
The project goals
There are several important policy implications that could be drawn from the project results; for example:
- As governments transition public services to digital in the wake of COVID-19, does exclusion from connectivity have a compounding impact on exclusion from public benefits?
- Does a better understanding of connectivity (and the reliability of data on connectivity) create urgency for governments to design policies that connect their citizens?
- Is there a way to identify causal factors that have increased the digital divide for particular groups, therefore forcing greater emphasis for governments to address the digital divide?
- How has the COVID-19 crisis impacted the digital divide? Has it exacerbated digital exclusion for particular groups and/or pushed certain demographics into being particularly vulnerable/at-risk?
This challenge is hosted with our friends at
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UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and build resilience in order to sustain development results.
