Send message to Author

Short abstract:

Shed light into the inherent risks and controversies entailed in the realization of sociotechnical imaginaries of digital transformation, as well as the intricate politics surrounding technological and policy designs.

Long abstract:

Since the early 21st century, the vision of promoting the development of an information society as the foundation for achieving welfare, productivity, sustainability, and inclusion through technology has taken root in Latin America. Initially emerging as a business issue related to "boosting the digital economy and e-commerce", digital transformation has become a prominent topic on regional and national policy agendas. Far from being a neutral process, digital transformation entails unexpected conflicts like divergent ethical standards for the adoption of AI. Moreover, it is driven by particular sociotechnical imaginaries that have the power to shape technological designs, establish national policy objectives, direct public spending, and justify the inclusion or exclusion of citizens. This research aims to elucidate what are the sociotechnical imaginaries driving national digital transformation policies in Ecuador? Specifically, the article focuses on the identification of relevant publics within the national digital transformation project. How are citizens identified by the state? Are large technological companies regarded as a distinct public or as an extension of the state? How do tech giants perceive the state? What roles does each actor have? The investigation utilizes a national case study to identify the discourses and practices that constitute national sociotechnical imaginaries of digital transformation. Methods include documentary analysis, stakeholder interviews, and participant observation at digital transformation events. It is expected that the results shed light into the inherent risks and controversies entailed in the realization of sociotechnical imaginaries of digital transformation, as well as the intricate politics surrounding technological and policy designs.