Grassroots ICTs in India: Some Preliminary Hypotheses Ken Keniston, MIT CSE 590DW March 31, 2003

Digital Divide ● Divide between Information 'Haves' and 'Have- Nots' ● First coined in 1996 to distinguish between those in US who had good telecom and computing facilities and those that didn't ● Some speculate that bridging this divide will have great ramifications for the economic and social equality of people across races, countries, continents and socio-economic conditions

ICT For the 'Masses' ● Some believe ICT can allow developing nations to leapfrog intermediate stages in national economic development ● Solve problems like poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, corruption, etc. ● Where is the theoretical grounding? ● Where is the empirical evidence?

Keniston's Observations ● More talk than action ● Difficulties abound ● Sustainability? ● Grassroots involvement? ● Locally relevant content? ● Impact of technical considerations ● Lack of information exchange and experience sharing ● Credibility?

Open Problems: Infrastructure ● Power ● Connectivity ● Proper Shelter / Housing ● User Education (Literacy) ● Appropriate Devices – Low Cost – Rugged – Multi-User – Appropriate Content and Applications

Open Problems: Economics ● Cost vs. Benefit ● Sustainable Usage Models ● Local Service, Support and Maintenance Models ● Appropriate Software and Applications for local Economic Development – I don't think selling 'X-Box' to a farmer in Bihar is what we are talking about

Open Problems: Society and Culture ● Local-language Computing ● Cultural Localisation ● Value-centered design ● Accessibility to Local Users ● How will these devices and applications affect local society and culture?

Open Problems: Policy ● Telecom Policy and De-regulation ● Local language Software Standards and Tools ● Government role in funding pilots, prototypes, fundamental research, local language tools and applications, etc. ● Commercial interests role ● Open Source vs. Proprietary

Class Organisation ● Like other 590s – Student presentations, guest lectures, etc. ● Except background materials are often spotty, incomplete and inaccurate – Requires more google searches, and synthesis of your own ideas (yeah!) – Dont worry if you have never been to India, Mongolia or Tibet – Ask me if you have any question, ideas etc...