Our human predicament at the beginning of the 21st century is on a knife-edge, with the bright and dark sides of disruptive technologies battling for our future. Our aim is to analyse how new and fast-changing technologies – such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, big data processing, blockchain and, in the near future, probably quantum – can and should serve sustainable development goals. Better and more widespread use of digital and frontier technologies is a vital component of international development. These technologies have a significant role in tackling global poverty and accelerating progress towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is changing the whole world and we will need to understand the opportunities and challenges that are coming our way. Frontier technologies will continue to substantially change the cost and access to products and services, how we gather information, make products and interact. They are expanding access to global markets and changing business models. This will be especially true for data-intensive technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things. Advancements in digital technology, such as faster, more affordable connectivity and better data storage, allows for these frontier technologies to be used much more widely. Therefore, citizens in developing countries will be living and working in economies and societies that will dramatically change in a short period of time, or may need support to transform otherwise they will be left behind. We know that an increasingly digital and data-driven world has the potential to rapidly lift people out of poverty, but it can also amplify and worsen existing inequalities and exclusion dynamics. Our company manages projects, provides training and tutorials on issues related to technology and development.
