Paper short abstract:

I explore the role of the engineer and tech developers in the development sector: how can emerging technologies underpin social agency? how are these technologies used and who gets to decide that? what is the role of end-users and development actors in the design process?

Paper long abstract:

While engineering has the potential to support the development sector, mainstream engineering thinking often perpetuates power imbalances and colonial practices that undermine development efforts (Eichhorn, 2020). One example can be seen in the opportunities and challenges that technological developments present to the sector. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and distributed ledger technologies (DLT) offer a wide range of applications that present radical solutions to better support development efforts. However, these emerging technologies also pose significant risks and sometimes cause harm by exposing people to increased danger and infringing their rights. Pitfalls in the application of solutions based on emerging technologies in development assistance are attributed to a lack of consideration and understanding of broader social implications when technology is being developed. This socio-technical gap has been central to the debate on engineering practice in development contexts throughout history. However, social implications remain an aspect that has been undervalued within emerging technology developments. There is an opportunity to improve development outcomes by supporting engineers and key actors in developing solutions based on emerging technologies for development. By exploring the value and role of local knowledge and having an in-depth understanding of the local social, cultural, political, and economic ethos, future technology developments can better support development assistance (Arshad-Ayaz, Ayaz and Mohamad, 2020). What does this support look like in practice? This presentation does not have the answer but rather contributes to the bigger conversation, providing an engineering perspective on the theme of digital transformation for development.