
The Internet is Coming – With Risks and Benefits – To New Areas in Asia and the Pacific
New digitized financial services are coming to previously poorly connected areas in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. It should be inclusive and cost effective, and serve the interests of people at large.

Fintech is Emerging as a Driver of Innovative Financial Solutions During COVID-19
Fintech – the fusion of finance and technology – could be a game-changer for inclusive economic growth amidst the pandemic.

How Do We Capture the Digital Economy in Statistics?
By some estimates, the digital economy now accounts for trillions of dollars. But policymakers and companies still lack the data needed to fully understand it.

Leveling the Playing Field: Can Digital Technologies Address Inequity in Cities?
Throughout Asia and the world, digital solutions are being found for urban problems. Policymakers and city leaders should ensure that the poor do not get left behind in this digital transformation of cities.

Data and the Artificial Intelligence Gold Rush: Who Will Win?
The exponential growth of data and artificial intelligence is creating a tug-of-war between data for profit and data for the common good. In this struggle, it is fundamental that we protect our basic human data rights.

How Asia Can Ride the Digital Wave to Spur Financial Development
The ‘app economy’ provides potential risks and benefits for developing countries. The right policies are needed to bring out the best in these emerging economic trends.

Cracking the Secret Code of International Development Work
The over-use of acronyms turns the joy of reading into a tedious process of decoding. It also muddles the message of development communications.

How Governments Can Halt the Rise of Unfriendly, Unstoppable Super-Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence could be enormously beneficial to society, and it could also lead to catastrophe. Governments can play a role determining the outcome of AI’s development.

Can Big Data Help Us Make Better Development Decisions?
Data-driven decision making can be a powerful tool in the world of international development but it requires careful planning and management.

Will Robots Take Our Jobs? It’s an Age-Old Question.
The discussions around the impact of artificial intelligence and its impact on jobs could result in improved skills and greater adaptations by the world’s work force.