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Can Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Reduce Unemployment Among Africa’s Rapidly Growing Youth Population?
Ubongabasi Kingsley Omon
16 October 2024
Africa is recognised as home to the world’s youngest population, with a median age significantly lower than that of developed countries. This demographic characteristic presents significant challenges and immeasurable opportunities for the continent’s socio-economic development. For context, the median age in Africa, a largely underdeveloped region, is approximately 19.7 years, compared to 38.5 years in … Continue reading Can Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Reduce Unemployment Among Africa’s Rapidly Growing Youth Population?
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The Missing Digital Dimension in Analysis of Climate Adaptation in Mountain Regions
Richard Heeks
9 October 2024
Why is digital tech missing from analyses of climate adaptation in mountain regions? Digital innovation is and will be central to climate adaptation. At a macro-level, as shown in figure 1, ICTs can support all aspects of the adaptation strategy lifecycle[i]. At a micro-level, digital tools are supporting households and communities with applications related to … Continue reading The Missing Digital Dimension in Analysis of Climate Adaptation in Mountain Regions
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Constructing an AI Value Chain and Ecosystem Model
Richard Heeks
26 September 2024
In this blogpost, I summarise the creation of an AI value chain and ecosystem model, based on the recently-published paper, “Constructing an AI Value Chain and Ecosystem Model”. The aim was to provide a robust and comprehensive framework for understanding how value is created in the AI landscape. While AI is driving major shifts across … Continue reading Constructing an AI Value Chain and Ecosystem Model
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The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Digital Transformation
Taiyuan Zeng
27 August 2024
In the context of the digital revolution, increasing numbers of enterprises are realising that the digital transformation (DT) is the key to maintain the competitiveness in global business environment, and are considering the DT as a crucial strategic plan for the sustainable growth of their businesses in the future [1]. In 2022, the global spending … Continue reading The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Digital Transformation
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Checklist for Digital-Transformation-for-Development (DX4D) Research
Richard Heeks
26 July 2024
The checklist below derives from the Principles for DX4D Research and Consulting, modified on the basis of presentation to an international development audience, and a revision workshop of digital development researchers. It is intended for use by researchers undertaking DX4D research, to help improve the fit of that research with the particular nature of digital … Continue reading Checklist for Digital-Transformation-for-Development (DX4D) Research
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Bridging the AI Divide: Socio-Technical Perspectives on AI in Developing Countries
Aishatu Mohammed Lawan
22 July 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key driver of the fourth industrial revolution, reshaping industries and organisational dynamics worldwide. Economically, AI is projected to contribute a staggering $13 trillion to the global economy by 2030 and create 250–280 million jobs . Despite the AI adoption challenges, around 70% of organisations globally plan to integrate AI into … Continue reading Bridging the AI Divide: Socio-Technical Perspectives on AI in Developing Countries
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Social media messaging for visual impairment in the Global South – Perspectives of community advocates
Dr Chandrani Maitra
17 May 2024
Globally, 2.2 billion people have Vision Impairment, with preventable causes. India has 270 million affected. WhatsApp is seen as a tool to improve eye health awareness. Barriers include lack of visibility of government policies, poverty, and mistrust. WhatsApp's benefits include two-way communication and easy accessibility. Challenges include low educational levels and privacy concerns. Participants suggest sharing preventative eye care information and posthumous eye donation details.
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Digital China, Platforms, Agriculture, Health: New Research Outputs from CDD Manchester
Richard Heeks
9 May 2024
Recent outputs – on Digital China; Digital platforms; Digital agriculture; Digital health – from Centre for Digital Development researchers, University of Manchester: DIGITAL CHINA China’s Digital Expansion in the Global South: Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda (open access) by Richard Heeks, Angelica V. Ospina, Christopher Foster, Ping Gao, Xia Han, Nicholas Jepson, Seth … Continue reading Digital China, Platforms, Agriculture, Health: New Research Outputs from CDD Manchester
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Swavalamban: A Co-constructed Online Professional Development Toolkit for English Language Teachers Working in Resource-constrained Schools in India
Gary Motteram
15 April 2024
The Swavalamban project, funded by the British Council in India, aimed to address the professional development needs of English language teachers in resource-constrained schools in Odisha and West Bengal. A digital toolkit was created through collaboration with the teacher community, focusing on sustainable, bottom-up development. The project faced challenges, leading to suggestions for future projects, such as hybrid solutions, diversified data collection methods, participatory materials design workshops, and longitudinal engagement. Although the project's funding has ended, the development of materials continues, with hopes of repurposing the platform for similar projects in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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AI Readiness of the US vs China
Richard Heeks
11 April 2024
What is the status of AI rivalry between the United States and China? In recent years, the emergence of China as the world’s second digital superpower has led to talk of a “digital cold war”, with global competition between the US and China in fields such as telecommunications infrastructure, e-commerce and digital governance[i] and with … Continue reading AI Readiness of the US vs China
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