Critical Examination of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D)

Seminar in Critical Development Studies, Spring 2024

Abstract

In this seminar, Alejandro Mayoral Baños will delve into the nuanced and complex landscape of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D), exploring its potential benefits and inherent challenges. This seminar aims to unpack the optimistic narratives surrounding technology's role in advancing development goals, while critically addressing the darker undercurrents of data colonialism. As we navigate through various ICT4D initiatives, we confront the pressing issue of how these technologies, often heralded as tools for "empowerment and progress," can inadvertently perpetuate new forms of colonialism. Data colonialism, a term that has gained traction in recent discussions, refers to the exploitation of digital information to extend economic and social inequalities, often mirroring historical patterns of domination and exploitation. By examining case studies and theoretical frameworks, this seminar seeks to shed light on the mechanisms through which ICT4D can both challenge and reinforce existing power dynamics, urging a reevaluation of how we deploy and govern technology in the context of global development.