Big Data, Meager returns?

Accurate, structured, and abundant data are the main source of successful Artificial Intelligence platforms. These platforms can lead to an increase in production and economic gains, better management of resources, and improved public policies. However, disparities continue to widen between the North and the Global South.

On October 12th, we brought together specialists, academics and activists to investigate the main points arising from the “Data, Artificial intelligence and the Global South” conversation. The purpose of the workshop was to explore economic fairness and the Global South. This post shares the questions we asked, some of our findings, and what we need to consider next.

There is no easy fix to the asymmetries existing between developing and developed countries. The role of technology in mending these asymmetries, while worsening others, needs to be better understood. In this respect, the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) comes as an opportunity to rethink policy frameworks so that the social and economic dividends from big data related technologies can be better distributed.

With this in mind, researchers and entrepreneurs convened at a workshop co-organized by digital HKS and the Berkman Klein Center to discuss possible solutions and frameworks needed to rethink the relationship between data, AI, and their potential returns for the Global South.

Co-written by Yasodara Cordova (digital HKS, Berkman Klein Center),  Lorrayne Porciuncula (OECD, Berkman Klein Center), and Henri Brebant (MPP 2020, Harvard Kennedy School)