The Fourth Revolution and the Bottom Four Billion

Making Technologies Work for the Poor
Erscheinungsjahr 2023
ISBN: 978-0-472-05589-0
Verlag: University of Michigan Press

Buch, Englisch, 368 Seiten, Paperback, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 229 mm

Products and services based on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain are normally considered to be for rich consumers in advanced countries. This book demonstrates how marginalized and vulnerable groups with limited resources, specifically the world’s bottom four billion population, can also benefit from these technologies. Nir Kshetri suggests that the falling costs and ease with which applications based on these technologies can be developed and deployed are making them increasingly more accessible. He illustrates how key emerging technologies are transforming major industries and application areas such as healthcare and pandemic preparedness, agriculture, finance, banking, and insurance and looks at how such transformations are affecting the lives of low-income people in low- and middle-income countries. It considers entrepreneurial activities and the creation of new markets facilitated by technologies in those countries. The book also highlights the areas needing regulatory attention for the adequate protection of marginalized and vulnerable groups from the abuse and misuse of these technologies. Kshetri discusses how various barriers such as the lack of data, low resource languages, underdeveloped technology infrastructures, lack of computing power and shortage of skill and talent have hindered the adoption of these technologies among marginalized and vulnerable groups. The book argues that most of these barriers are not insurmountable and suggests that it is the responsibility of diverse stakeholders—governments, NGOs, international development organizations, academic institutions, the private sector, and others—to ensure that marginal groups also benefit from these transformative innovations.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Fachgebiete

• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaft und Gesellschaft | Kulturwissenschaften
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Theorie, Politische Philosophie
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziologie Allgemein Gesellschaftstheorie
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Wissenssoziologie, Wissenschaftssoziologie, Techniksoziologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Systeme Verwaltungswissenschaft, Öffentliche Verwaltung

Inhaltsverzeichnis

- List of Illustrations
- List of Tables
- List of Boxes
- Preface and Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Part 1: Background and Overview of the Fourth Revolution and the Bottom Four Billion
- Chapter 1: The Fourth Revolution and the bottom four billion: Key underlying concepts and developments 
- Part 2: Major Fourth Revolution technologies
- Chapter 2: Artificial intelligence 
- Chapter 3: Blockchain 
- Chapter 4: Remote sensing and satellite imagery
- Chapter 5: Internet of things* 
- Part 3: The 4R in economic and social developments
- Chapter 6: Healthcare and pandemic preparedness
- Chapter 7: The agricultural sector
- Chapter 8: Finance, banking, and insurance
- Part 4: Opportunities, challenges, implications and the way forward
- Chapter 9: Opportunities, barriers and challenges
- Chapter 10: Economic developmental implications
- Chapter 11: Social, political and ethical implications 
- Chapter 12: Discussion, conclusion and recommendations
- Glossary
- About the Author