Technology and Innovation with equity - Perspectives from Asia and the Pacific

• What is the impact of frontier technologies on inequalities?
• How can governments minimize risks and maximize opportunities?
• What are critical policy considerations to ensure that the promotion of technology and innovation leaves no one behind?
• And how can international cooperation help?

The answer to these questions is critical for the achievement of the SDGs.

We live in a time of growing prosperity alongside growing inequalities. People on average are living longer and healthier lives, getting more years of education and having better access to clean water, sanitation and electricity. A global middle class has emerged, fueled by rapid growth in emerging economies. At the same time, extreme poverty is stubbornly persistent in some pockets in developing countries and within country inequalities have increased in many countries. Crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic lays bare these and other gaps.

Against this backdrop, technology is ambiguously seen both as a friend and a foe. Innovation drives prosperity, and frontier technologies (e.g. AI, robotics, biotechnology, and nanotechnology) could be transformative in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But rapid advances can have serious downsides if they outpace the ability of societies to adapt. There are fears, for example, that jobs are disappearing as more economic activity is automated, and that social media are exacerbating divisions, anxiety and doubt. The implications could be serious for developing countries – if poor communities and countries are either overwhelmed or simply left behind.

Objective

The event co-organized by UNCTAD and ESCAP briefly presented UNCTAD's Technology and Innovation Report 2021 and ESCAP’s Frontiers of Inclusive Innovation Report followed by a roundtable discussion by experts and policymakers from Asia and the Pacific region. The discussion centered around artificial intelligence for social good and ways of sharing the benefits and risks of frontier technologies. The event has raised awareness of policy options for countries in the region to harness these frontier technologies and leave no one behind.

Programme

Opening remarks

• Shamika N. Sirimanne, Director of the Division on Technology and Logistics, UNCTAD
• Rupa Chanda, Director of Trade, Investment and Innovation, ESCAP

Presentations

• Technology and Innovation Report 2021 - Clovis Freire, Economic Affairs Officer, Division on Technology and Logistics, UNCTAD, Team Leader of the Technology and Innovation Report 2021
• Frontiers of Inclusive Innovation Report – Marta Perez Cuso, Economic Affairs Officer, TIID, ESCAP, Team Leader of the Frontiers of Inclusive Innovation Report

Panel discussion

Moderator:  Jonathan Tsuen Yip Wong, Chief of Technology and Innovation, Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, ESCAP

• Parminder Jeet Singh, Executive Director, IT for Change
• Kanchana Wanichkorn, Vice President, Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NCPO), Thailand
• Marcus Bartley Johns, Asia Regional Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Microsoft
• Mark Findlay, Professorial Research Fellow and Director, Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance, Singapore Management University

Q&A - The floor was opened to questions and contribution from the audience (via chat function).

Closing

The webinar was held in English on Thursday, 24 February 2022 (8:30 am to 10:00 am CET, 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm Bangkok time).

Watch event recording