The Global Information Technology Report 2012

The Global Information Technology Report 2012 – Living in a Hyperconnected World – World Economic Forum, 2012

  • “We live in an environment where the Internet and its associated services are accessible and immediate, where people and businesses can communicate with each other instantly, and where machines are equally interconnected with each other. The exponential growth of mobile devices, big data, and social media are all drivers of this process of hyperconnectivity. Consequently, we are beginning to see fundamental transformations in society. Hyperconnectivity is redefining relationships between individuals, consumers and enterprises, and citizens and the state. It is introducing new opportunities to increase productivity and well-being by redefining the way business is done, generating new products and services, and improving the way public services are delivered. However, hyperconnectivity can also bring about new challenges and risks in terms of security, cybercrime, privacy, the flow of personal data, individual rights, and access to information. Traditional organizations and industry infrastructures are also facing challenges as industries converge. This will inevitably have consequences for policy and regulation because regulators will have to mediate the blurring lines between sectors and industries, and will be obligated to oversee more facets of each interaction in a pervasive way. For example, in terms of security and surveillance, hyperconnectivity is transforming the way people, objects, and even animals are being monitored. Experts also predict it will have an impact on inventory, transport and fleet management, wireless payments, navigation tools, and so on. The impact of ICT on different facets of life and work is growing. In this context, the way we monitor, measure, and benchmark the deployment and impacts of ICT must evolve to take into account the rapid changes and consequences of living in a hyperconnected world. Reflecting on this imperative of adaptation, a comprehensive review process of the NRI framework has been undertaken, guided by a process of high-level consultations with academic experts, policymakers, and representatives of the ICT industry. The results of this new framework are presented for the first time in this edition of the Report.”
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