Digital transformation does not unfold equally across the world. This week in DIGISOC a course will start, that explores how ICT and AI can be designed responsibly and effectively for resource-constrained communities, with a strong focus on the Global South and the realities of the Digital Divide.
Students will examine how digital technologies can contribute to social good in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — from reducing inequalities to improving health, education, and food security — while engaging with the principles of Digital Humanism. At the same time, the course critically addresses the risks, unintended consequences, and power dynamics that accompany digital innovation.
Through interdisciplinary teamwork, guest lectures from experts in ICT and AI for development, and hands-on design science methods, students in this course will develop socio-technical solutions tailored to diverse cultural, political, and infrastructural contexts. The course emphasizes critical reflection, policy awareness, and socially responsible innovation — asking not only what technology can do, but for whom, under which conditions, and with what consequences.
With milestone-based feedback and project-driven assessment instead of a final exam, you will iteratively refine your ideas and demonstrate your ability to design inclusive, context-sensitive digital solutions. By the end of the course, you will be prepared to contribute thoughtfully and strategically to digital development initiatives across diverse global settings.