Latest news with #InformationandCommunication
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Connected but corrupted: Ethics lost in the digital age
AS the world marks World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on May 17, we are once again reminded of how far we have come in harnessing the power of communication technologies. Yet, have ethics kept up with technologies? Despite the immense advantages that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) provides—such as bridging geographical divides, boosting economies, and enabling instant communication—misuse continues to plague the digital age. Ethical decay in the digital sphere may be the most pressing concern of our time. One of the most troubling trends we now face is the deliberate and rampant spread of misinformation and disinformation. The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2025 ranks misinformation and disinformation as top societal risks, capable of destabilising institutions and eroding public trust. While lies and propaganda are nothing new, ICT has exponentially magnified their reach and speed. Social media, in particular, has become a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it empowers voices and communities. On the other hand, it serves as a playground for slander, fake news, and conspiracy theories. A doctored video or artificial intelligence (AI)-generated fake image can go viral within minutes, fooling millions and even influencing elections. What makes this more alarming is how easily these technologies are being manipulated. With generative AI, anyone can create convincing deepfakes or false narratives with little effort. From synthetic voices impersonating political leaders to AI-generated news articles and images, the line between reality and fabrication is blurring. As a result, trust— the backbone of any functional society—is rapidly eroding. Citizens no longer know which sources to rely on, which information to believe, or whom to trust. The consequences are grave: growing political polarisation, public unrest sparked by online lies, and the vilification of innocent individuals based on viral misinformation. What is perhaps most disappointing is that much of this is not accidental. There are coordinated efforts to mislead and manipulate public opinion. In a society where digital tools are easily accessible, the lack of ethical grounding makes them dangerous. The problem lies not with technology but in our failure to educate on and enforce responsible digital behaviour. While we have succeeded in producing coders, engineers, and content creators, we have fallen short in producing ethical digital citizens. Many users, especially the younger generation, are growing up in a digital environment without ever being taught how to evaluate the credibility of online content or understand the impact of spreading lies. Schools may teach computer skills but rarely include lessons on digital ethics or media literacy. Likewise, tech companies and governments have been slow to act. Content moderation remains inconsistent. Regulations are either too weak or too slow to keep pace with innovation. And while some nations have introduced laws against online slander and fake news, enforcement remains a challenge, especially when perpetrators conceal themselves behind anonymous accounts. To truly celebrate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, we must go beyond showcasing technological marvels. We must recommit ourselves to ethical digital citizenship. Several steps are essential: MEDIA AND DIGITAL LITERACY EDUCATION: From schools to universities to community outreach, we must teach people how to identify false content, question sources, and avoid spreading unverified information. STRONGER POLICIES AND ENFORCEMENT: Governments must collaborate with tech companies to develop legal frameworks that hold platforms and users accountable for the spread of harmful content. TECHNOLOGICAL SAFEGUARDS: AI should also be part of the solution. Tools can be developed to detect and flag false content, trace the origin of viral posts, and offer content verification in real time. COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT: Religious leaders, educators, influencers, and civil society groups all have a role in reinforcing ethical norms in digital spaces. ICT is one of humanity's greatest achievements, but it must be matched with equal progress in values, integrity, and civic responsibility. Otherwise, we risk creating a hyperconnected world that is more divided, misinformed, and ethically adrift than ever. The solution begins with choosing truth over virality, integrity over popularity, and wisdom over reaction.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ICT Adoption in the Public Sector Set to Accelerate, Projected to Grow at 10.21% CAGR by 2030
Sustainable 10.21% CAGR Reflects Rising Demand for Transparency, Efficiency, and Scalable Digital Infrastructure MIDDLETON, Mass., April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- QKS Group, a premier market intelligence and advisory firm, has released its latest vertical-specific research highlighting the rapid expansion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage across the Public Sector, projecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.21% through 2030. The report delivers key insights for technology vendors enabling the modernization of government services, public administration, and civic engagement platforms. The Next Growth Frontier for ICT Vendors in Public Sector Governments across the globe are accelerating digital initiatives to improve service delivery, citizen experience, and operational transparency. ICT domains such as Application Development & Deployment, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, Communication & Collaboration, Data Management, Information Security, CX & MarTech, and BPM & Process Automation are increasingly critical in modernizing legacy systems, enabling real-time governance, and enhancing cross-departmental coordination. These technologies are at the core of initiatives ranging from digital identity programs to smart city platforms and e-governance portals. According to Sofia Ali, Associate Director and Principal Analyst at QKS Group, "Public sector organizations are shifting from reactive service delivery to proactive, insight-driven engagement. ICT solutions that improve transparency, scalability, and service accessibility are key to transforming citizen-government interactions and building future-ready institutions." Key Market Insights from QKS Group's Report Global and Regional Market Analysis: A deep dive into how ICT domains for the Public Sector and specific regions reshaping service models are, driving process optimization, and enabling digital citizen engagement. Competitive Benchmarking: A comparative assessment of leading ICT vendors focused on public sector transformation, highlighting deployment scale, regional coverage, and domain specialization. Industry Adoption Trends: Insights into how governments and public institutions are implementing ICT to support smart governance, secure workflows, content automation, and inter-agency collaboration. Technology Disruption & AI's Role: How AI and analytics are being used for policy modeling, fraud detection, and citizen sentiment analysis, while content platforms and integration tools streamline public workflows. Market Leaders & Competitive Landscape The report includes top ICT vendors driving transformation in the Public Sector, including Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce, SAP, AWS, IBM, Google Cloud, Adobe, Cisco, ServiceNow, Zoho, OpenText, Box, Informatica, Snowflake, NICE, Pegasystems, Infosys, Capgemini, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Become a client and Explore the Opportunities in Public Sector: Why This Matters for Public Sector Vendors? In an age of digital governance and rising citizen expectations, ICT has become fundamental to public sector modernization. Vendors must deliver secure, interoperable, and scalable platforms that support real-time decision-making, citizen-centric services, and policy agility. Long-term value will stem from addressing regional needs while supporting innovation in mission-critical workflows and compliance environments. Get Access to Exclusive Market Insights (single report or subscription offering) The comprehensive research package includes: Most Comprehensive Market Forecast Analysis: A separate market forecast report for each region for a specific market in ICT in the Public Sector industry, including North America, Asia Pacific, European Union, MEA, and Latin America. Unmatched Competitive Analysis: A separate market share report for a specific market in ICT in the Public Sector industry for each of the regions, including North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, MEA, and Latin America. QKS TrendsNXT on the specific market in ICT in the Public Sector industry QKS TAMSAM Insights report on the specific Market in ICT in the Public Sector industry Exclusive Analyst Advisory Sessions for strategic decision making and validation Speak to Our Expert Analyst: About QKS Group QKS Group, formerly Quadrant Knowledge Solutions, is a leading global advisory and research firm, dedicated to empowering technology innovators to accelerate their growth journeys and enable technology adopters to achieve their digital transformation objectives. To gain access to the full market insights, growth forecasts, and competitive analysis, Connect: Shraddha Roy PR & Media RelationsQKS GroupRegus Business Center35 Village Road, Suite 100,Middleton Massachusetts 01949United StatesEmail: shraddha.r@ Source: Connect with us on LinkedIn- Logo: View original content: SOURCE QKS Group
