Curated by Anirban Sarma
In late 2015, UNESCO declared 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), and four years later the UN General Assembly recognised it as an official UN day. Celebrated annually, the IDUAI serves as an occasion to remind ourselves of the importance of unimpeded access to information, and its foundational role in fostering transparent governance, achieving development goals, and building inclusive knowledge societies.
In a digitally driven and hyperconnected world, access to information—one would believe—ought to become progressively easier. And in many respects, it has. However, technology and information flow tend to divide people and nations as much as they unite them. Highly resourced geographies power ahead while others, plagued by data and information scarcity, struggle to keep up. The rising tide of online disinformation threatens to swallow authentic content and undermines trust in journalism, publishers, and platforms. And emerging technologies like generative AI ostensibly empower millions, while concealing dangerous biases that could result in skewed and exclusionary knowledge outputs.
This series of tech-focused essays, written in observance of IDUAI 2024, explores a broad spectrum of issues. The series begins with examining the implications of global digital divides for universal access to information and then explores the promise and peril of accessing news and information online. India’s efforts to promote open data are analysed next. Three essays focus on AI, with particular reference to emerging challenges such as information overloads caused by the falling costs of information production facilitated by generative AI and social media; the need for greater algorithmic transparency; and ethical concerns around AI-driven information access. The series concludes with an inquiry into two niche areas: the access to financial and credit-related data by fintech firms to strengthen digital financial inclusion; and the promotion of accessibility for persons with disabilities.
