I. ICT and Society

1. I. ICT and Society Objective To examine the Historical Development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its impact on society.

2. The Early Years of Communication • 700-800 BC - homing pigeons • 1800’s electric current deflects a magnetic needle, leading to the creation of the telegraph. Samuel Morse later uses a magnetic telegraph and the Morse code to keep the communication movement on track. • 1876 - the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell. • 1897 - Professor Joseph John Thomson discovers the electron. • 1915 - The American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) makes the first call the across country using radio. • 1939 - John Atanassoff constructs the first semi electronic digital-computing device. • 1962 - Paul Baran of the Rand Corporation develops Packet-switching network. • 1969 - the year of the Internet (ARPA.)

3. Historical perspective of ICT • Between 1950 and to 1970 (+Research and Development, compute bound) • Between 1970 and 1985 (+ High value data processing) • Between 1985 and 1991 (+ Low cost PC’s) • Between 1991 and 2001 (+ Internet) • Post 2001 (+ ICT gains strategic sector status)

4. Openness Connectivity Accessibility Democratization Accountability Decentralization Information brings about Networking of: People Projects Ideas Innovations Hence, a power shift & social transformation

5. ICT applications at the local level, some examples • Local government support and social services • Smart Communities/Schools, Multi-purpose Community Tele-centres • Market information/opportunities: buy and sell at better terms • Plug-in to the Law: Citizens’ Rights • Employment opportunities: crafts, tourism… • Local content creation

6. ICT applications at the national level, some examples • Pro-poor policies – empowerment through greater connectivity, knowledge sharing, transparency • Higher quality public services through e-Government • Systems to foster employment, investment and commercial activities; e-Commerce (services/goods) • Enabling regulatory framework and cyber-laws • Practical applications of ICT for Sustainable Human Development - e.g. tele-working, telemedicine, e-learning

7. ICT applications at the regional level, some examples • Portal for Government to Government, to Business and to Citizen transactions, transcending existing barriers to trade and commerce • Educational Applications (eg ASEAN SchoolNet + Knowledge Worker Exchange + Distance Learning) • Regional cooperation: New opportunities for developing countries to be globally competitive

8. ICT Provides Opportunities for Development of Information Systems to: • monitor water and land resources • transport and store food • manage pests/diseases • support crisis prevention and recovery • provide early warning • forecast food crop output • etc

9. Indian Example: Green Revolution MT Tons Year

10. Change Agents • Extension services • Input (seed, fertilizer, irrigation) • Mechanization (tractor/thrasher) (Cost, maintenance, indigenous) • Knowledge / information

11. Year Invented Product The Growth of Technology 1873 1876 1886 1903 1906 1926 1952 1953 1975 1983 1991 Years to spread to 25% of population

12. Post 2001 developments… • ICT has emerged as a Strategic Sector • Security of Cyber Space has gained significance • Technology Neutrality and Availability has become important • Knowledge management and IPR are attracting attention • Privacy of Individual citizens is getting affected • Convergence of media means cross sector regulations, and merging of institutions

13. Factors for Change Technology Push • High rate of Technological development • Ever decreasing cost of Technology • Increasing awareness and skills to handle ICT • Increasing absorption of Technology at Local Levels Demand Pull • Melting of geographical boundaries for Trade and Commerce • Opening new opportunities and job prospects • Easy access to information across the Globe • More informed decision-making process • New tools for improving Specific Development Goals

14. Case study - Indian Railway Reservation System 8700 trains every day 550,000 reservations every day 858 locations for booking tickets Before: Designated Counter for each train Unmanageable due to large volume leading to malpractices Unable to perform remote location booking All misc services provided at the reservation centre Now (15 years later): Passengers can book for any train from any location Full information about seat availability available on the web Automatic voice response systems for enquiries Enhanced productivity and flexible citizen services

15. Today we have new issues… • digital divide • education • knowledge • health • communication • job opportunities • business • cultural norms • economic divide

16. Other Social Issues • Poverty • Gender (performing tasks from home any time) • Youth (greater participation from youth) • Disadvantaged (greater opportunity to compete)

17. Audio Visual

18. Conclusion • ICT is redefining the economic, social and cultural scene • The impact of ICT is much more and further reaching than any other technology invented so far • ICT is empowering society in both the economic and social contexts • Digital Divide is increasing among and within nations • The Government should recognise that communication and knowledge are two intertwined success factors • New challenges for governance and institutions because of new issues

19. Food for thought • Where do I realistically feel my country should go over the short-term ? • What needs to be done to speed things up? • What is the role of government? • Based on my country’s strengths/weaknesses what can we plan over the long-term ? • What are the lessons from success and failures, and best practices?

20. Thank you!