In previous chapters of TypeRight we have talked about the necessity of teaching the impacts of AI to the public, and the necessity of advanced computer education including AI/ML tools to more students, but today we deal with something else - it is AI that is teaching us. We also have a conversation with ChatGPT to see how self-critical it gets.
In an earlier edition of TypeRight, we spoke of the UN’s Global Digital Compact that was one of the decisions of the recent Internet Governance Forum - and how the Digital Empowerment Foundation was planning to conduct the consultation of the same in India.
In an earlier TypeRight, we discussed the issues surrounding digital, app based attendance for the country's employment program, the NREGA, and how the lack of digital access leads to exclusions. Today we look at a recent update on the issue: Aadhaar-based payment scheme on the NREGA.
Indian Internet Governance Forum conducted a series of workshops to discuss the multi-stakeholders approach to achieve meaningful last-mile connectivity which has affected people across different age groups and gender, especially from marginalised sections of the society, although India is the second largest user of the internet. Osama Manzar, Founder and Director of Digital Empowerment Foundation, was one of the panellists in the workshop stressing on the urgency of providing the basic backhaul for connectivity to reach the last mile in a meaningful and functional way so that the growing digital economy does not widen the current gaps. Today's TypeRight is based on the panel discussion.
This week, we look into the several issues surrounding a forced digitalisation in the country's employment guarantee scheme, and how it leads to even more exclusions.
This Republic Day, TypeRight delves into how, despite the constitutional recognition of the country's linguistic diversity, many languages are not given the resources they need to thrive - and how we can bring in digital inclusion to help the endangered languages.
Did you know Darjeeling Tea, Kolhapuri Chappal and Tirupati Laddu are GI tagged? This week's TypeRight will take a dive into GIs and how local communities can make use of the GI tags and digital tools to have better livelihoods and convert their location into a destination.
The UN has announced that 2023 would be the 'Year of Millet'. What are millets, how do they differ from our more commonly used grains, and why should we focus on these grassy crops? This week's TypeRight takes a look, and talks about what we at DEF the relationship and plan with the “digital” and what to do on the Year of Millets.
First, Happy New Year to our readers! This week, we would first like to share several of those New Years posts through DEF and its associate handles. And then we will get on to the real issue of the phenomenon called ChatGPT.
In a previous issue of TypeRight, we had covered the Internet Governance Forum's brief history, why it came into place and how it is relevant today. Now, several years after the first IGF by the United Nations, we look at the Global Digital Compact.
This week's TypeRight looks into how Twitter under Musk has unfolded, and what this means for free-speech.
The seventeenth meeting of the Internet Governance Forum has just concluded last week in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia. This week's TypeRight will focus solely on updates from this year's IGF, which had several discussions on a variety of topics, two of which DEF was also a part of.
Over several chapters of TypeRight, we had covered in detail the innovativeness that is brought forth by Community Networks. Before we explain them further once again, we would like to share some news from the G20 Summit in Indonesia:
The following article and presentation was prepared to share during the panel discussion that was expected to address questions pertaining to the recent increase in interest among international organisations in promoting and protecting freedom of expression, including artistic freedom and protection of artists. It would be interesting to understand if this is linked to a rise in censorship and political oppression, or an increase in the awareness and understanding among these organisations of these challenges, or both. The panel will also explore diverse challenges in this field, as well as opportunities provided by the widespread use of the internet and digital products, and the consequent responses by those targeted by censorship and persecution.
First, some news from this week that gives a scale of the money that went into edtech this year.
For over a hundred and fifty years, from 1850 to 2013, India had a telegraph service- one that many would remember before the age phones became cheap and ubiquitous. Under the British Raj, telegraph offices were set up, and trans-country services were run. While unrest and opposition to the colonial government had already existed, it was by 1857 that the colonial government faced a striking blow- in the 'first' major uprising and mutiny recorded as the First War of Independence. As the mutinies and rebellions continued, in 1885 the colonial government passed a legislation, the India Telegraph Act- because quickly transmitting information, and intercepting rebels' communications was key to holding power over the subcontinent. The act authorised law agencies to intercept communications in cases where they deem it necessary.
This week on TypeRight, we dive into a look on issues of access, data and privacy in the backdrop of data protection laws, and look at possible ways forward. The discussion here is also built upon the article published in OWSA which is available here:
Does the "government have any business doing business?" What will happen to the mounting of both losses and market monopolies of India's e-commerce giants? This week's TypeRight takes a look at the GoI's new plans for digital commerce and what it means for smaller scale retailers. Would Open Network For Digital Commerce - ONDC be the mass platform for doing business?
India@75, and @DEFIndia, we want to celebrate by mentioning that in the last 20 years it has benefited 25 million people across 135 districts in more than 25 states of India with a digital footprint of 2000 plus locations; with a historical accolades of having played roles in formation of National Digital Literacy Mission, in drafting Common Service Center, in the creation of PM WANI, in safeguarding the country from Free Basics and upholding Net Neutrality; in scheming GOAL (Going Online As Leaders) for tribal girls, and many more digital marks...
The seventh of August is celebrated as National Handloom Day, a day to honour and empower India's traditional weavers and artisans. But if you're wondering what does the handloom industry have to do with the digital, this week's TypeRight takes a dive into DEF's (Digital Empowerment Foundation) work surrounding digital and financial inclusion of the handloom weavers and artisans, and also our DigiKargha initiative.
