"Because of its relatively well-developed, highly urbanised economy and high penetration of mobile internet access, the platform economy took off quickly in South Africa, with international players vying for market share and local platforms pursuing more innovative approaches. Digital labour platfor
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ms have offered new earning opportunities to many in the country, but concerns have been raised about the quality of jobs created, and whether they meet standards of decent work. South Africa was one of the pilot countries for the Fairwork Project. This article describes the specific conditions which supported the take-off of location-based digital labour platforms in South Africa, explains the methodology used for pursuing the Fairwork research, discusses ratings outcomes based on the empirical research and summarizes the action research component of the project—with particular attention paid to outcomes for workers. We also list some of the lessons that were learnt and give a critical reflection on the project in the hope of assisting other researchers investigating the fourth industrial revolution, the gig economy, and decent work standards, especially in the Global South." (Abstract)
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"On average in the 16 countries surveyed, 56% of internet users frequently use social media to stay informed about current events, far ahead of television (44%). However, it is worth noting that differences exist among population groups: television is the primary source in the most developed countri
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es (55% compared to 37% for social media), while it lags significantly in countries with high (42% vs 63%) or medium/low levels of Human Development Index (HDI) (37% vs 68%) [...] The significance of social media as a source of information, especially during election campaigns, is even more crucial given that citizens believe disinformation is highly prevalent there. Across all 16 countries, 68% of internet users told us that social media is the place where disinformation is most widespread, far ahead of groups on online messaging apps (38%) and media websites/apps (20%). This sentiment is overwhelmingly prevalent in all countries, age groups, social backgrounds, and political preferences. This is even more important and citizens feel that the issue of disinformation is a real threat: 85% express concern about the impact and influence of disinformation on their fellow citizens." (Analysis of key results)
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"The Guatemala DECA report presents the findings and recommendations of the Guatemala DECA. It outlines the key aspects of Guatemala’s digital ecosystem and provides nine recommendations for creating a more inclusive, safe, and enabling environment. Guided by USAID/Guatemala priorities: i) partner
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with the Government of Guatemala and other stakeholders to increase economic prosperity, inclusion, and stability in areas with high irregular migration; ii) partner with the Government of Guatemala and other stakeholders to strengthen effective and accountable governance to improve quality of life and reduce irregular migration; and iii) partner with the Government of Guatemala and other stakeholders to improve justice and security to reduce irregular migration, the DECA process included desk research, consultations with USAID/Guatemala technical offices, 76 key informant interviews with stakeholders from civil society, academia, and the private and public sectors, and five focus group discussions with USAID project participants. Key findings include: Guatemala does not have a central strategy or policy for the digitalization of government services or systems; while Guatemala is home to relatively high network coverage, gaps in internet use remain and innovative solutions face regulatory barriers; the digital divide persists across gender, geography, income, education and literacy, and ethnicity, and was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic; digital rights are insufficiently protected and disinformation and harassment are present in the online space; over the last decade, the Government of Guatemala adopted long-term policies to support the development of the digital economy; progress is unclear but data show there has been some impact on financial inclusion; although in its early days, there is unprecedented growth in Guatemala’s startup ecosystem, specifically FinTech." (https://www.usaid.gov/digital-development)
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"Our analysis of digital well-being underlines the imperative for broad, inclusive and accessible digital competence development. It is only by everyone having at least basic digital competences that the health and well-being in digital settings can be adequately safeguarded and improved. Likewise,
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providers of digital solutions, managers and employers, educators, and policy makers should be equipped with at least intermediary proficiency in terms of digital health and well-being to take into account the associated responsibility in their activities of developing digital solutions, setting digital work procedures, teaching, and setting the appropriate policy and regulatory framework to foster well-being for all in this and future digital worlds." (Conclusion)
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"Today we use the Internet for everything: studying, working, communicating, shopping, getting information... even for switching on and off different household appliances, thanks to the use of the so-called Internet of Things (IoT). This intensive use of the Internet, and therefore of electronic dev
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ices, with larger and smaller screens, touchscreens and keyboards, creates new challenges and possible consequences of which we need to be aware. Excessive use of, as is often the case, social networks; can have consequences in areas such as socialisation (face-to-face), physical activity or concentration. In this module you will learn what these risks are, and how to use electronic devices correctly, achieving digital wellbeing." (Page 3)
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"Der Einsatz von Künstlicher Intelligenz (KI) im Sinne des Gemeinwohls steckt noch in einer Erprobungsphase. Dieses Policy Paper präsentiert empirische Ergebnisse der Civic Coding-Studie, die die empirischen Befunde aus 20 Expert*innen-Interviews und zehn Fallstudien aus unterschiedlichen gemeinwo
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hlorientierten Tech-Projekten vorstellt. Die Studie beschreibt zentrale Potenziale, Erfolgsfaktoren, Risiken, Herausforderungen und die Bedarfe gemeinwohlorientierter Tech-Projekte. Auf Basis der Ergebnisse wurden 16 Empfehlungen entwickelt, die zur nachhaltigen Förderung gemeinwohlorientierter KI beitragen sollen." (Zusammenfassung)
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"This report presents various economic, institutional, social and technological challenges that inhibit digital entrepreneurs in Mexico from developing solutions for climate action. As the startup market keeps growing in the country, special consideration must be given to sustainable and digital tec
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hnologies by governments, investors, accelerators and incubators, and other players in the ecosystem. Focusing on the four areas outlined has the potential to unlock environmental, social and economic impact associated with digital technologies. At the same time, a careful and thoughtful implementation is necessary to avoid negative consequences – for this, further discussion between the different stakeholders is needed." (Conclusion)
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