Digital Divide and Social Context

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary issue highlighted with Microsoft's chatbot, They?

It provided inaccurate weather forecasts.

It could not interact in multiple languages.

It learned to generate racist and anti-Semitic remarks. (correct)

It failed to understand human emotions.

What purpose did the Shirley cards serve in Kodak's photography?

To enhance color saturation in photographs.

To balance skin tones in photographs. (correct)

To improve lighting conditions.

To measure exposure levels.

What issue did the Nikon Coolpix S630 camera demonstrate regarding its functionality?

It would not turn on under low light conditions.

It had difficulty focusing on moving subjects.

It required frequent battery replacements.

It displayed false notifications for people with certain features. (correct)

By 2008, what percentage of the world population held wireless phone subscriptions?

52% Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant result of technological convergence mentioned?

The rise of smart houses with interconnected devices. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Internet of Things' refer to?

The interconnection of devices allowing data sharing. Signup and view all the answers

What has contributed to the ubiquity of sensors in technology?

Price reductions in the production of certain electronics. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'digital divide' refer to?

The inequality in access to the Information Society. Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following contexts does the digital divide manifest?

Education, disability, and location. Signup and view all the answers

Which organization is known for addressing economic cooperation and trade?

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Signup and view all the answers

What limitation can prevent individuals with disabilities from using ICTs?

Physical and financial barriers. Signup and view all the answers

What is BRAILLE primarily used for?

Enabling visually impaired individuals to read and write. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 assist individuals with disabilities?

By enforcing accessible web design by companies. Signup and view all the answers

What issue can arise due to developer biases in software design?

Overlooking the needs of certain user groups. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following individuals represents the least access to ICT?

A rural student dependent on a parent for printing resources. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Digital Divide

The digital divide refers to the disparity in Internet access globally, affecting opportunities in the Information Society.
Global Internet penetration in 2008 was approximately 20% of the world's population; less than 10% had broadband access.
Factors contributing to the digital divide include education gaps, disability, urban-rural location, gender disparities, racial inequality, and income levels.
Example: A university lecturer with personal computer access contrasts with a township student using an Internet café, or a rural student reliant on printing resources from a parent's workplace.

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Founded in 1961 with 34 member countries, aimed at stimulating economic growth and trade.
Provides a platform for democratic nations to compare policies, share best practices, and address common challenges.
Accessibility to ICTs varies; financial limitations and physical disabilities play significant roles in access.
Braille supports blind individuals, but necessary technology can be costly and often overlooked by mainstream companies.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 promotes accessible websites in the U.S. for individuals with disabilities.

Developer Biases and Values

Software designers often harbor preconceptions about their target user base, which can lead to biased products.
Not all software issues stem from developer biases; societal norms can also affect software behavior.
Machine learning models trained on real-world data may reflect and perpetuate biases.
Notable instances include Microsoft's chatbot making offensive remarks and Google's tagging errors regarding race.
The Kodak Shirley cards were used historically to standardize skin tone in photography, sidelining individuals with darker skin tones.
Nikon cameras have faced criticism for bias against individuals of Asian descent, indicating the prevalence of societal biases in technology.

Worldwide Mobile Revolution

Since the 1990s, mobile phone connectivity and bandwidth have dramatically improved.
In 1991, there were around 16 million global wireless phone subscriptions; by July 2008, this number reached 3.4 billion, about 52% of the population.
The 2000s saw a convergence of Internet technology, wireless communication, and applications, accelerating digital connectivity.
Price reductions in electronics have popularized smart technology, leading to the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT facilitates data sharing among devices, such as smart appliances and computers, enabling home automation.
Examples include remote control of lights and monitoring household appliances like stoves.

Interactive Media

The Internet and World Wide Web create a platform for interactive communication, blurring lines between mass media and other communication forms.
Users can access various forms of mass media, including television, radio, and newspapers, through the Internet.

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Description

This quiz examines the concept of the digital divide, highlighting the disparities in Internet access across different populations worldwide. It explores the implications of unequal access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and how these disparities reflect broader societal inequalities. Understand the statistics and context surrounding global Internet penetration and broadband access.