The Impact of Information Technology on Society Interview Podcasts

The form that globalisation takes is influenced by many factors today. The increasing role of information technology in all aspects of our lives is a major factor in the changes that are happening in globalisation today and which will happen in the future. Marc Levinson describes the historical development of globalisation and the factors which were significant in each of its historical phases. He argues that future globalisation will be information based and that this poses challenges to its governance.

Marc Levinson is a historian, author and economist. He has written widely on trade, globalisation, finance and business, working as journalist, including as fiancé and economics editor of the Economist, in the finance sector and as a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The Future Of Globalisation An Interview With Marc Levinson

The impact that the Fourth Industrial revolution is having on Least Developed Countries is discussed in this interview with Ratnakar Adhikari. Ratnakar describes the work of the EIF in supporting the development of the capabilities of LDCs to benefit from trade. He provides valuable understanding of the challenges that LDCs face, of the methodology adopted by the EIF to address them and offers a wealth of practical examples of the impact of their work.

Dr. Ratnakar Adhikari is currently the Executive Director of the Enhanced Integrated Framework Executive Secretariat at the World Trade Organization. Prior to this assignment, he was the Chief Executive Director of South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE), a Kathmandu-based regional think tank. Previously he served, among others, as a Senior Adviser to the National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal, and Trade Programme Specialist for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Asia Pacific Regional Centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He also worked as a Manager of Nepal Indosuez Bank Ltd. and a Lecturer at the Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, besides working as a consultant for various multilateral organizations.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution And Least Developed Countries - Ratnakar Adhikiri

Markus Kornprobst, Professor of International Relations at the Vienna School of International Studies has written extensively on globalisation today. Until recently, international relationships between nations utilised a global framework of institutions and norms, such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation. Economic, political and social integration was expanding.

Today we are seeing a growth in protectionism and a decline in the role of the globalisation focused international institutions. Information technology has enabled globalisation to continue to increase but regulation and coordinated action to address challenges and maximise benefits has declined. Markus provides his assessment of the implications of the current situation for the future and concludes with a call for greater public participation to improve the world.

The Future Of Globalisation An Interview With Markus Kornprobst

Our participation in democratic societies is influenced by our exposure to mass media, the internet and the opinions of elites or experts. Eric Merkley of the University of Toronto has researched how this influence has been changing and considers its implications for the future of democracy. He discusses the impact of technology on anti-intellectualism (our distrust of elites) and whether Canadian society is becoming more polarised. He also considers how our perceptions of science influenced Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy.

Democracy, Technology And The Influence Of Elites And Mass Media - Eric Merkley

Concerns about the impact of the internet on privacy have been growing in recent years Danielle Miller Olofsson discusses how information technology impacts privacy, including with the rapidly increasing role of artificial intelligence. Many governments, especially in Europe, have introduced legislation to address privacy issues and Danielle discusses their effectiveness. She also describes regulation in the US and Canada, where new legislation is currently being considered.

Privacy Challenges And Regulation

Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform many areas of our lives in positive ways, Lifespans could be extended through transformations in healthcare, jobs could be safer and more interesting, AI could be a valuable tool in combating climate change education could be individually tailored and more accessible.

At the same time, the potential for AI based negative consequences is of great concern. Bias is well documented, the elimination of jobs is feared by many and autonomous weapons have generated substantial fear.

Abhishek Gupta has extensive experience in advising companies, governments and other organisations on the ethical impact of artificial intelligence and their response, which he discusses in this interview.

The Future Of Globalisation An Interview With Marc Levinson

Peter Carr