Introduction

As we have previously stated in Chapter 1, the contrast between DC and D/LDC in terms of ICT exploitation and proliferation has led to a worrying phenomenon that is known as the digital divide. This phenomenon refers to the gap between countries with effective access to digital and information technology and those with very limited or no access at all. It includes the imbalances in physical access to technology as well as in the resources and skills needed to effectively participate in a digital society. From this perspective, technology has, undoubtedly, two contradictory facets: a “positive” facet enabling the growth of the economy, business and public administration, and a “negative” facet consolidating the digital divide, the isolation of regions/populations and the degradation of living conditions. The digital divide is closely related to the knowledge divide since the lack of access to technology creates a challenge to obtaining useful information and knowledge.

One consequence of these two contradictory facets of technology is that decision makers and politicians in D/LDC countries are left with only two choices: to accept and use technology as an enabler of development and prosperity, or to ignore it and run into the risks associated with the digital divide. Indeed, not making a choice (or trying to keep to the status quo!) is a deliberate action that is equivalent to ignoring technology.

A Journey through the Evolution of ICT

Throughout time, humans have invented ingenious calculating machines.