Need for Democratization of Technology
Kartavya Desk Staff
#### Syllabus: Governance/ International Relations
#### Source: BS
Context: At the recent G7 meeting, the Indian PM emphasized the need to turn technology monopolies into mass usage to build an inclusive society and eliminate social inequalities. He also highlighted India’s commitment to making AI transparent, fair, secure, accessible, and responsible.
What is the Democratization of Technology?
Democratization of technology refers to making advanced technological tools and innovations accessible to a broader population, rather than being confined to a privileged few.
Need for Democratization of Technology
• Inclusion and Equality: Ensures technology benefits all sections of society, reducing social inequalities.
• Access to Knowledge: Provides widespread access to information and educational resources. e.g., Massive Open Online Courses offered by NPTEL.
• Empowerment: Empower individuals to innovate and participate in technological advancements.
• Economic Opportunities: Creates new economic opportunities and supports small businesses.
• Innovation and Creativity: Encourages diverse perspectives, leading to more creative and innovative solutions.
• Transparency and Accountability: Enhance transparency in governance and corporate practices.
• Global Connectivity: Facilitates global communication and collaboration.
• Public Participation: Increases public participation in decision-making processes.
• Sustainability: Promotes the use of technology for sustainable development and environmental protection.
• Security and Fairness: Ensures technology is secure, fair, and accessible to all users.
Impact of Democratization of Technology
• Cultural Impact: Broader access to technology has challenged traditional expertise and supported the DIY trend. The economic shift demanded technological innovation, fostering optimism in progress. Technology’s design includes diverse interests, promoting inclusiveness.
• Industry Impact: Democratization has broadened markets and reduced professional demand due to consumer empowerment. This shift has led to increased business device usage and associated security concerns.
• Political Impact: Technology promotes citizen advocacy and government transparency, supporting democratic engagement. Increased global connectivity and access to information have fostered democratic trends worldwide.
• Major Innovations: The Internet democratized knowledge and access to high-tech products. Cloud computing and social media furthered accessibility and user engagement. Open-source models, Arduino, littleBits, and 3D printers made technology more accessible to everyone.
How India Has Democratized Technology:
• Digital Public Infrastructure: ‘India Stack’ was created for digital identification, payments, and data management.
• Common Service Centres: Access point for delivery of Government-to-Citizen (G2C) e-services by creating physical ICT infrastructure.
• Ayushman Bharat: World’s largest health insurance scheme providing a safety net for 200 million families using a tech platform.
• CoWIN Platform: Managed the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccine drive.
• Svamitva Scheme: Used drones to map rural land and provide property cards, reducing land disputes and improving access to financial services.
• Jan Dhan – Aadhaar – Mobile Trinity: Enabled direct transfer of benefits to authenticated beneficiaries, reaching billions of rupees to the poor.
• Government e-Marketplace (GeM): An e-commerce platform for small traders and businesses to fulfil government needs, reducing corruption and boosting transparency.
• Online Tendering: Accelerated projects and improved transparency with a procurement value of ₹1 trillion in 2021.
• Open Courses: One of the largest repositories of free online courses with over 10 million certifications.
• Low Data Tariffs: India has some of the lowest data tariffs in the world, making internet access more affordable.
• NAMO Drone Didi Initiative: Helps Women SHGs purchase drones for farming purposes.
• India AI Mission: Aims to democratize the benefits of AI across all strata of society.
Challenges in Democratization of Technology
• Digital Divide: Lack of reliable and affordable internet, especially in remote areas.
• Gender and Social Inequities: Persistent disparities in access to education, employment, and resources.
• Cybersecurity and Privacy: Concerns about data privacy and online fraud deter full tech adoption.
Conclusion:
To advance technology’s democratization, India and the world must prioritize expanding internet access, promoting gender equality, strengthening cybersecurity, fostering digital literacy, and encouraging collaborative efforts between stakeholders. These steps can ensure that technology becomes a force for equality, empowerment, and societal progress.
Insta Links:
• Use of Technology for election
• Social Construction of Technology Theory