Perspectives and policies on ICT in society: an IFIP TC9 (computers and society) handbook

Governments, the media, the information technology industry, and scientists publicly argue that information and communication technologies (ICT) will bring about an inevitable transition from 'industrial' to 'information-' or 'knowledge-based' economies and societies. Most agree that all aspects of our economic and social lives, in both the public and private spheres, will be radically different from what they are today. The World Summit on Information Society (Geneva 2003 and Tunis 2005) shows the importance of a worldwide reflection on those topics. The authors of this work explore the ICT policies of different nations and regions such as Africa, China, Europe, and India. They assess the arguments surrounding the impending new age as well as some of the more sensitive issues of its development. This progress will signal an expansion of ICT in many domains such as in the workplace, the home, government, and education and it will affect sensitive issues such as privacy and professional ethics. The expansion will also encompass all parts of the earth, particularly developing countries. Such growth must take place in the context of historical dimensions and should underscore the accountability of professionals in the field. This work addresses these important issues. The intent of this book is to address the issues mentioned above and to serve as a handbook of IFIP's TC9 'Computers and Society' committee. Thirty authors from twelve countries consider the ICT policies with their associated perspectives and they explore what may be the information age and the digital society of tomorrow. The book provides reflection on today's complex society and addresses the uncertain developments arising from an increasingly global and technologically connected world.