AFI Changemakers and UNCTAD Delegates Report on TECHNOLOGY to the United Nations

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Report written by Eugenia Novoa (Speaker), Siddhesh Kapote (Speaker) Ebba Engstrom (Speaker), Jose Alvarez (Speaker) and Smriti Sonam (Special Rapporteur).

Images provided by AFI Changemakers and UNCTAD Youth Summit Delegates 2018.

ISBN: 978-0-9990239-5-2 Copyright Š 2018 Ariel Foundation International

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, particularly its Secretary General, Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, who provided us with the unique opportunity to participate in the UNCTAD Youth Forum of 2018. The forum was held during the World Investment Forum and in accordance, participants discussed numerous topics technology advancement and its youth involvement leading to the co-authors’ inspired contributions.

Equally, we express our thankfulness to Dr. Ariel King and the AFI Changemakers team for the generous opportunity to write this report and spread our main takeaways of the UNCTAD Youth Forum.

Lastly, we would like to thank all of the friends (including our UNCTAD Youth Forum network) and family members, who constantly support our efforts toward making an impact amongst youth and in shaping the digital revolution.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................................................................... 3 UNCTAD Youth addressing data challenges in a digital economy ..................... 5

By Eugenia Novoa Technology in Agriculture ............................................................................................ 9

By Siddhesh Kapote Gendering of AI/Robots: Implications for Gender Equality amongst Youth Generations…………………………………………………………………………………..13

By Ebba Engstrom Finance in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution: How Technology and Finance are already working together to shape the new digital economy .... 24

By Jose Alvarez Blockchain, new symbol of disruption?.................................................................. 30

By Smriti Sonam

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UNCTAD Youth addressing data challenges in a digital economy

By Eugenia Novoa Abstract

tackle

During UNCTAD Youth Forum 2018

the

risks

and

opportunities

presented by this technological novelty.

sessions related to cybersecurity, social

This article aims to draw youth attention

media and even blockchains raised the

around some important issues arising

issue of data collection. The pillar role

out of data usage and collection. Starting

that data plays in the new industrial

with a reference to data’s crucial role for

revolution creates uncertainty amongst

the digital economy, followed by a brief

youth globally; hence, the international

context of the cross-border challenges to

fora must raise this topic, so that youth

the international fora; and lastly, will

undertake new opportunities and find

mention some worthy efforts to solve

solutions to foreseeable data challenges.

privacy issues.

I.

Introduction

II.

Digital Economy

Data protection and privacy two paramount topics lately discussed due to

the

upgrowing

era

of

new

Crucial role of Data in the new

Access to technology is increasingly becoming

democratized,

by

2025

technologies. Trends show a soaring

roughly every person on the planet is

need of data in different business

expected

context, for this reason people already

connected mobile devices. International

allude it as “the new oil�. Sound

reports predict that data will grow

controversies

those

exponentially from around 3 zettabytes

categorizing data as a commodity, and

in 2013 to approximately 40 Big data by

others

20201.

ascend

challenging

data

by

collection

have

access

Digitization

is

to

Internet-

transforming

persuaded by privacy of individuals. As

globalization as the volume of cross-

years go by, digital platforms steadily

border dataflows has grown 45 times

outgrow, and youth are the ones to

larger since 2005, studies show that

United Nations Conference of Trade and Development. Technology and innovation report, (2018) 1

Page 5 of 34

nearly twelve percent of the global goods

The dynamics of a global economy

trade is conducted via international e-

driven

commerce2.

technologies are enigmatic. Due to the

Moreover, European studies estimate that approximately a hundred thousand (100,000) new jobs related to data management will be created by 2020.

The

global

software

market

and

for

hardware,

professional

services

linked to the implementation of big data

by

internet

and

disruptive

cross-border nature of internet and data transfers, stakeholders seem reluctant to find a wide-reaching solution to privacy concerns through regulatory frameworks.

Perhaps,

technological

charms of the digital era are the key to solve these matters.

will reach 43.7 billion euros by 2019 to

i.

European land3.

Cross-border challenges to policymakers in a global economy

Money today is no longer in oil pipelines,

The popularity of internet services and

the new oil is data, it boosts the

privacy rights advance thorough history,

provision of digital services, improves

some

decision

different

making,

technologic

while

implemented

systems

and

rules

safeguarding its citizens data4. These

data,

regulations vary in accordance to each

Internet of things and so forth. We are

country’s data protection regime, which

living in a “Data Era” driven by the use of

incorporates

devices,

concerning data processing5.

intelligence

speed

continuous

(AI),

of

expansion

such

legal

have

as

artificial

advancements

gearing

countries

big

connectivity, of

principles

“We do not plug our devices, we plug our life. All the Internet of Things can be the Internet of Threat”

amounts of data stored in the cloud.

Such evolvements are paving future entrepreneurships and job markets for

Professor Solange Ghernaouti, UNCTAD Youth Forum, 2018

youth.

Global efforts to unravel privacy issues

From

an

economic

outlook,

the

divergent approaches to data protection

McKinsey Global Institute. What’s now and next in analytics, AI, and automation, briefing note, (2017) 3 European Commission. Enter the data economy, (2017) 2

and

new

technologies, and generating countless

III.

rights

Renee Berry & Matthew Reisman, Policy Challenges of Cross-Border Cloud Computing, J. OF INT’L COM. & ECON., May, 2012 [hereinafter Berry] at 14-16 5 Id. 4

Page 6 of 34

can thwart transnational negotiations,

topic during UNCTAD Youth Forum

take as an example the divergences

2018.

presented in the high-tech environment between the United States and Europe, which have even reached international trade negotiations (Doha round) and BITs (TPP)6.

Overhauling the issues of cross border data

flows

might

be

possible

by

decentralizing privacy. All comes down to combining “a blockchain, re-purposed as an access-control moderator, with an

Many controversies pertaining misuse of

off blockchain storage solution”8. In this

data bounce around user profiling and

way, users won’t need a trusted third

giant social media platforms. Because of

party, the blockchain will validate the

this, international agencies encourage

accuracy of their personal data; and even

the

more, it will bypass the famous visible

adoption

regulatory

of

data

protection

frameworks7. Nonetheless,

legislators find very challenging

to

control cross-border flows of data, as their laws don’t have an international scope. Youth should take part of these conversation

acting

as

liaison

to

safeguard future generations’ interests. ii.

The key technological standpoint: Perfect Online Privacy

public ledger of bitcoin.

Some already

already creating a new tool called “Perfect

Online

Privacy”

through

blockchain technologies, another sound

bright-minds

Joshua Meltzer, The Internet, Cross-Border Data Flows and International Trade, ISSUES IN TECH. INNOVATION, No. 22, Feb., 2013 [hereinafter Meltzer] at 13 7 United Nations Conference of Trade and Development. Data protection regulations

innovative

to

find

innovative

protocols and make “Perfect Online Privacy” a far-reaching technology.

Conclusion

To sum up, there are still many issues

to

international

be

discussed

fora,

it

is

in

the

true

that

presently different governments are trying to boost ecommerce and data flow, yet regulations need to tie internet reality

6

this

are

This is a great opportunity for youth

While policy makers seen to have a data flows, technology wizards are

developing

protocols

approach to solve privacy challenges.

IV.

headache trying to regulate cross-border

cryptographic

and

its

cross-border

reach.

and international data flows: Implications for trade and development, (2016) 8 Zyskind, Guy & Nathan, Oz & Sandy' Pentland, Alex. (2015). Decentralizing Privacy: Using Blockchain to Protect Personal Data. IEEE. 180-184. 10.1109/SPW.2015.27.

Page 7 of 34

Innovative blockchain protocols might possibly

be

the

clue

to

About the Author

these

troublesome regulatory challenges.

V.

Recommendations

1. Creating awareness of the relevance of data flows for the new digital-based transactions,

which

are

setting

off

opportunities and challenges to youth.

2.

Fostering

undertake addressing

youth

participation

international cross-border

to

initiatives data

flows’

issues.

3. Incentivizing youth entrepreneurial skills to pave on novel alternatives like

International lawyer strongly fueled by law, economics, technology, and globalization.

Presently, founding partner of Discover and Learn International and active member of UNCTAD Youth.

Perfect Online Privacy.

References European Commission. economy, (2017)

Eugenia Novoa, 27 epnovoa91@gmail.com

Enter

the

data

Joshua Meltzer, The Internet, Cross-Border Data Flows and International Trade, ISSUES IN TECH. INNOVATION, No. 22, Feb., 2013 McKinsey Global Institute. What’s now and next in analytics, AI, and automation, briefing note, (2017) Renee Berry & Matthew Reisman, Policy Challenges of Cross-Border Cloud Computing, J. OF INT’L COM. & ECON., May, (2012)

Has led regulatory projects pertaining Ecuadorian registry system, data protection and interoperability.

Likewise, Eugenia has experience in Ecuadorian stock market and competition regime.

Young mother advocating for a borderless digital revolution. We are the future!

Love is my religion | mindfulness my method | yoga my hobby.

United Nations Conference of Trade and Development. Data protection regulations and international data flows: Implications for trade and development, (2016) United Nations Conference of Trade and Development. Technology and innovation report, (2018) Zyskind, Guy & Nathan, Oz & Sandy' Pentland, Alex. (2015). Decentralizing Privacy: Using Blockchain to protect Personal Data. IEEE. 180-184. 10.1109/SPW.2015.27.

Page 8 of 34

Technology in Agriculture

By Siddhesh Kapote 1. What is Sustainable Development?

Sustainable

development

There is

development that meets the needs of the present

without

compromising

the

ability of future generations to meet their needs as well. Today, technology plays

a

big

role

in

sustainable

development in all of its aspects: social, environmental, economic and we see more number of people relying on technology to get their daily chores done.

are

multiple

innovations

happening across the world in various sectors (vertical farming in agriculture, grid transformation using blockchain, emission-trading

policy

frameworks,

biocrude and renewable fuel production using biomass, etc.) to make possible that

technology

and

sustainable

development go hand in hand.

3. Role of Technology in Agriculture While there are so many advances taking place with the help of technology, one of

2. How is Technology beneficial for

the important and fast growing areas is

Sustainable Development?

Agriculture. Since there is a rapid

The future of technology for sustainable development

seems for

to

promising.

As

Sustainable

Development

be

any

very

kind

of

requires

a

detailed analysis and repetitive survey of

escalation of food demand due to the growing

population

worldwide,

the

demand for smart technology Artificial Intelligence is gaining pace in the agriculture industry.

many factors which is to be done

According

initially. This is a time taking, tedious

Agricultural Organisation (FAO), global

and repetitive job if done manually. Here

population is going to increase its reach

AI steps into the picture and can find

up to 9.2 billion by 2050, which means

trends

between

in the next 32 years there will be 2 billion

different independent, environmental or

more people on this earth with limited

social factors very efficiently. This kind

resources. In such a situation, only

of research can be further used for

increase in plantation will not be a

Sustainable Development projects.

feasible option, hence the adoption of AI

and

relationships

technologies needed.

Page 9 of 34

to

in

the

UN

Food

agriculture

will

and

be

Driven by the rising need for high

temperature, moisture, prices or GPS

precision

signals

crop

analysis,

automated

and

provide

yield

guidelines

and

farming techniques, and collection of

increasing

data from the field, the world is likely to

farming decisions. It is also helping to

witness the agriculture industry get

automate and streamline tasks in data-

smarter with the implementation of

intensive industries traditionally ruled

technologies in the coming years. Data

by rigorous science and good old-

thus derived from implementing smart

fashioned

technologies can help farmers yield high

retailers, for example, are using AI

quality and larger quantity of crops

products to churn through terabytes of

(Wilson 2018).

precision agricultural data to create the

human

making

on

analysis.

smart

Seed

best corn crops, while pest control companies are using AI-based imagerecognition technology to identify and treat various types of bugs and vermin (Boulton 2017). Looking at all these innovations

and

advances

actually

makes us believe how AI has evolved (Precision-agriculture

image

by

Montri

Nipitvittaya/Shutterstock.com)

from

science

fiction

to

practical

implementations that can potentially

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is currently

help human life make better.

among the latest and most worked on

Spurred by these factors, the global

technologies. AI is a program based

smart agriculture market is projected to

technology,

digital

report a CAGR of 13.5% between 2017

computers and robots can perform real-

and 2025 (Kishorkanade 2017). At this

time tasks by using cognitive human

pace, the market’s valuation will rise

intelligence, such as speech recognition,

from US$6.55 bn in 2016 to US$23.44 bn

visual perception, decision making, etc.

by the end of 2025.

owing

to

which

AI in agriculture is commonly used for precision

farming,

crop

monitoring,

driverless tractors, automated irrigation systems,

crop

analytics,

etc.

With

precision farming, farmers will be able to analyze real time data like weather,

With

an

increase

in

the

use

of

Technology for Agriculture, farmers in the

rural

areas

are

now

able

to

understand the importance of education and are encouraging their children to

Page 10 of 34

take up good education and contribute

In order to make this possible, our

in the smart agriculture industry. More

governments,

efficiently, this saves them a lot of time

organisations,

which they can utilise in doing other

industry and educational institutions

activities and learn new things. Also,

should all work together and facilitate

along with the least amount of efforts

Sustainable Development.

and manpower required with the help of technology, old and poor farmers no

international consumers,

private

Recommendations

more have to rely on others for their

1.

work.

Universities and institutions to develop

Looking

at

the

recent

and

Government

upcoming government initiatives, one

technologies

can

environmentally.

reasonably

agree

that

our

should

that

will

support

benefit

us

agriculture industry is developing in the

2.

smart agriculture industry.

within

Conclusion

applications so that they do not resist

These factors together add up to how

Awareness farmers

should

be

created

about

various

AI

from making use of technology.

technology is helpful for sustainable

3.

development. But along with this it is

collaborations,

also essential to know that Technology

promote recent advances in technology.

alone cannot bring about a change.

4.

The Sustainable Development of human

provide

society

requires

improvement

of

can

governments

International more

Agencies

funding

and

should

should Youth

the

structural

opportunities to facilitate the learning.

both,

individual

5.

humans and society as a whole.

Technology

With the help of international

facilitate

this,

Sustainable Development should

be added in the educational curriculum but

for all levels of education.

without the action of people to change

6.

ourselves at an individual and collective

carried out at a local and regional level

level, it will be difficult to achieve every

so that more people get familiarized

idea contained within the concept of

with the uses.

sustainable development.

Page 11 of 34

Instructive workshops should be

References

About the Author

1.

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations http://www.fao.org/home/en/index.html 2. Global Smart Agriculture Analysis - Matt Wilson (2018) ARC https://www.reuters.com/brandfeatures/ve nture-capital/article?id=49811 3. AI, Machine blossoming in Agriculture Clint Boulton (2017) https://www.cio.com/article/3184206/artifi cial-intelligence/ai-machine-learningblossom-in-agriculture-and-pestcontrol.html 4. Smart Agriculture Market - Kishorkanade (2017) http://www.hubarticles.com/pressrealese/other/article-smart-agriculturemarket-industry-insights-trends-andforecast-upto-2025-1195.html

Siddhesh Kapote siddhesh.kapote@gmail.com Siddhesh Kapote is a Computer Science and Electrical Engineering student at University of Mumbai, India. Having deep interest in technology, he has worked

on

projects

including

AI,

Robotics, Electric & Hybrid Vehicles and Visual

Positioning

System.

He

has

received merit award for successfully designing Electric Truck at Ezenith.

Siddhesh’s

past

experience

involves

work as a Team Leader for International Relations and Marketing at AIESEC India.

As a team leader, he attended several local, regional and national conferences.

He was also selected as a Facilitator at the

Regional

Youth

Leadership

Conference in Silvassa,India. Siddhesh has worked on projects like Wildlife Welfare, Women Empowerment, Quality Education and Sales & Marketing. He looks forward to keep learning about technology and implement it for the betterment of our world.

Page 12 of 34

Gendering of AI/Robots: Implications for Gender Equality amongst Youth Generations

By Ebba Engstrom Introduction

WIF’s Global Investment Game Changers Summit- one of the week’s greatest

Back at the end of October 2018, the UN

highlights. This panel discussion saw the

saw the UN Conference on Trade and

presentation

Development (UNCTAD) Youth Forum

humanoid robot granted citizenship by

take place in alignment with the World

any country, to the audience- leading to

Investment Forum (WIF). It was an

further

opportunity for selected youth to share

surrounding artificial intelligence (AI)

voices

manner,

and robots, their design and role in

regarding topics of matter to UNCTAD

future society. For the fourth industrial

with the Sustainable Development Goals

revolution it is expected that 75 million

(SDGs) as a core theme. In the rhetoric

jobs

shared by youth delegates concerning

automatisation by 2022, and robots and

UNCTAD themes, clear narratives were

AI will play a significant role in this1.

expressed regarding the future of work

With

and sustainable entrepreneurship. Two

presence and interaction, specifically

of these were, firstly, the call for greater

with

inclusive gender equality in the work

individuals, it is important to recognise

force and increased diversity- including

the societal reflections and biases they

heightened

marginalised

project in their designs- and the impact

groups to become entrepreneurs- and

these can have for instilling prejudice

secondly, a requirement for broader

toward

marginalised

understanding

regard

to

in

a

non-tokenised

support

of

and

education

of

Sophia,

the

controversial

will

these

be

Millennial

debate

displaced

technologies’ and

gender.

first

through

increasing

Generation

groupsThe

as

Z

in

showcased

surrounding the developments of the

example of Sophia’s normative female-

fourth Industrial Revolution and the

gendered design, clearly raises strong

skills needed to face challenges brought

concern surrounding biased gendered

on by automatisation.

design of robots and AI- and its impact

The discussions emphasising on these points fell in high alignment with the

on gender equality and inclusive social economic development. In this written

Page 13 of 34

piece,

the

gendering

(such as language-recognition) without

technologies in the form of robots and

being specifically programmed for this

AI (and their overlap) will be explored,

output- which is how Amazon’s Alexa or

with emphasis on its significance for

Apple’s Siri functions3. Artificial general

youth generations, as they are the ones

intelligence (AGI) is rather comparable to

who will potentially live the ethical

human intelligence (HI), as it has an

dilemmas of future societal gender

adaptable intellect toward carrying out

equality, poised by these technological

numerous types of tasks- but as of today

designs.

it has not yet been developed3. However,

Robots

topic

and

of

AI-

Relating

to

Gendering: Definitions and Issues

in a study conducted amongst expert groups in the field in 2012/13, a 50% chance

was

reported

for

the

development of AGI by 2040 and 20503.

Defining Robots and AI

What is the Outlook for the Job

To understand the issues perpetrated by

Market?

the gendering of technologies such as robots and AI, there must first be a

There is no doubt AI and robots- and

stated definition of these technologies

robots embedded with AI- will play a

and that of gender. To begin with, robots

significant

are described as machines which are

automatisation landscape of the 4th

programmed to carry out functions

Industrial Revolution. And this will have

either

semi-

a heavy direct impact on Millennials

not

(who now occupy the majority of job

necessarily need to be able ‘to think’, as

roles)4 and individuals from Generation

this would require some form of AI-

Z, entering the workforce4. With current

which

technologies,

autonomously

autonomously2.

Robots

instead

regards

or do

computer

role

in

the

the

shifting

consultancy

firm

programming and algorithms designed

McKinsey, has reported that in American

to process information, learn from it,

industry 30% of activities across 60% of

tackle complex logical problems, and/or

occupations could be automated5. In

have language-understanding2. There are

fact, in a study carried out by the OECD6

various forms of AI, but they can be split

in 2018, it was described that across 32

into two broader classifications- narrow

participatory countries studied, one in

and general AI . Narrow AI has its

two

purpose of carrying out specified tasks

automation to a significant extent- but

3

Page 14 of 34

jobs

were

to

be

affected

by

the figures for this statistic varied highly

workforce

between the countries. More so, different

functions/roles. In a study conducted by

jobs showed different degrees to which

Fuze, it was for example found that

they

and

current youth in workforce were more

youth

sceptical than older generations of AI

employment (especially in regard to

coming in to complete job tasks- as they

gender equality), findings from the study

foremost had a negative perception of

suggested that teenage and entry level

their humanised HI aspects, which could

job tasks were of highest risk of

make their own creative and problem-

automation, in comparison to senior

solving skills replaceable9. On the other

positions6. In addition, according to the

hand, in a survey of members from

WEF, women were more likely to hold

Generation Z in comparison to members

these types of positions7. Yet, the OECD6

of Generation X, it was found that 29% of

also stated that young people are better

the former group saw that AI provided

skilled to face the redundancy provided

an opportunity in taking over jobs they

by this change, and better suited to

otherwise deemed boring- whereas only

adapt to it and to find jobs created by

16% of the latter group shared this

the new technologies. In accordance, the

opinion10.

WEF reported that 75 million jobs will be

comfortable or not with the notion of AI

specifically displaced by a combination

and robots coming into the workforce

of AI, robots and other automation

and society to replace tasks earlier

technologies

also

carried out by humans, this is a reality in

suggested 133 million new jobs could be

the happening- and thus, we must

created by the same year1. Furthermore,

understand

as shown by the OECD , AI specifically

reflections of designers’ views, impact

puts

societal

could

interestingly,

be in

by

impacted6terms

2022-

of

but

6

low-skilled

jobs

at

risk

than

and

Yet,

how

norms

gaining

whether

their and

societal

youth

designs

are

and

prejudices.

previous technological progresses, but as discussed by Forbes, in alignmentnew industries and careers will come about which do not exist as of yet8.

Defining Gender When defining the concept of gender, we must

first

differentiate

it

from

a

In observing such statistics- it is of

person’s ‘sex’. According to the WHO11,

interest to further understand how

gender is observed as the “socially

youth themselves perceive this future

constructed characteristics of women

reality of AI and robots entering the

and men”, which can refer to the

Page 15 of 34

relationships between men and women,

In reflection of the gendering (designing

norms and roles which they take on.

normative attributes associated with

These social constructs differ between

genders) of technologies, robots or AI

varying societies. Sex, on the other hand,

designed up to this day with gendered

is assigned accordingly to a new-born’s

attributes, first of all, do not have a

genitals12- which is most often either

biological sex (as they do not have

biologically female or male- yet, there is

biological genitals), but also do not have

a spectrum due to differing intersexes13.

a self-developed gender- their gendered

The gender of an individual is often

aspects have merely been coded in (in

presumed with the sex, however, it lies

the form of voices as with for example,

and develops within a broader spectrum-

Amazon’s Alexa) or on a physical front,

based on a person’s experience of their

added as design-additions13,15. This is not

own body and society’s perception of

to say that future AI may be able to

their

an

develop their own genders- and maybe

their

even invent genders not falling into any

gender in the context of their society12.

existent human classification. Thus, the

body,

individual,

their

and

identity

expression

as of

gendering of AI or robots, is currently Gender remains a big part of our identity

human-induced

and a reflection of

as humans, as it still impacts how we

designers’ views on gender associated

perceive and feel in harmony with

attributes- as well as, their weighted

ourselves- especially in the context of

understanding of (and potentially, care

external societal created gender roles,

for) how different expressed genders are

norms, and outlooks on intra- and inter-

impacted

gender relationships11,12. Today, it is

technologies (even if unintentionally)

widely more accepted that gender holds

produced to carry out certain functions

a broader spectrum rather than a binary

and end up being treated with particular

categorisation12, and some individuals

mannerisms.

when

represented

by

choose to either identify with a more fluid notion or no gender at all14.

Gendering

However,

Questions and Issues Raised

the

discussion

of

even

(and

Humanising):

identifying with a gender at all, still remains,

demonstrating

gender’s

When gendering AI and robots, it is

highlighted role as an identification

definite that this brings along biases in

concept.

design determined by the designers at Page 16 of 34

play- which raises several issues. In this

Tay-scenario could have been avoided if

piece, the issues reflected on pertain

women had been consulted and been at

specifically

of

the table when designing and developing

expressive

the chatbot17. Additionally, in a talk

manner. However, it should also be

offered by Neff at the Oxford Internet

mentioned

inherent

Institute18, the question was raised of

issues, and several case examples of

how coded biases in AI and robots

these, of coding of AI being carried out

embedded with AI, would affect persons

by a non-diverse, male-dominated group

of

of persons , as well as of AI being fed

interacting

AI/robots

to

the

in

gendering

physically

that

there

are

7

with

data

stereotypes

representing and

marginalised with

societal these

groups

technologies.

gender

perceptions

in

a

In looking at the issues concerning the

patriarchal society16. One such example

gendering of AI and robots, it is

is that of prejudicial Google searches

important to factor in that this both

reported by the Guardian, whereby in

entails the design of these with both

searching the phrase “unprofessional

normative female and male qualities-

hairstyles for work” provided images of

and both of these can do harm toward

black women with natural hairstyles,

the perception of the different genders.

whereas “professional hairstyles” led to

Now, firstly, one of the issues lies with

the display of Caucasian women with

the sheer design of these technologies.

done-up hair-does7.

The way in which they are designed and thereafter identified by humans who

Another example, is the AI chatbot Tay

have either created or use them- can

gendered as a female, launched by

enforce

Microsoft in 2016 on Twitter to interact

different genders should look, sound or

with the community, only to be taken

act. Secondly, if different gendered AI or

down

robots take on differentiating roles or

16

formulate

hours her

later17.

responses

Tay

would

based

on

functions

stereotypes

in

society-

regarding

in

the

how

way

conversational input with Twitter users-

Amazon’s Alexa or Apple’s Siri have a

yet as a result of these interactions she

perceived ‘female’ voice and are virtual

started

and

assistants- it can reinforce stereotypes

racist phrases- as that was how she was

and negative social norms of the roles

bemet17. Professor Gina Neff at Oxford

(including workforce roles) different

Internet Institute, has argued that the

genders should undertake. For example,

expressing

misogynistic

Page 17 of 34

it has been found in different studies

technologies would cause us to feel

that female voices for virtual assistant

empathy and want us to treat them as

technologies and for guidance on for

equals- which would not be suitable as

example,

in

they are there to perform tasks for

preference over male voices19. However,

humans. This is a highly unsettling

when it came to AI systems instructing

vision- and one we must be aware of

orders

as

could happen due to current gender

computing- male voices were preferred19.

norms and perceptions, as well as

This is a problematic scenario, yet by

cautious of- in order to ensure societal

allowing for gender stereotypes to be

gender equality.

relationships,

on

subject

were

areas

such

played on and be lived out- the issue becomes

even

Thirdly, by technologies

further

in

certain

roles

human standard, it can furthermore reinforce ideas that a gender can be treated in such a way20. The latter, is specifically a concern raised in the production of gendered robots intended for sexual use, as it can contribute to the furthered objectification of any gender represented by these21,22.

Laurie Penny23 has in accordance with this third point argued, that with the of

AI

and

robots

to

specifically take care of domestic and service functions- that expanded female gendering is of likelihood to happen in current

patriarchally

normed

society. In a discussive piece23, she rather provocatively points out that this is because exposure to the male gendered

Robots:

How

Remaining

and

disrespectful or authoritarian by any

our

and

putting these gendered

allowing for their treatment to be

introduction

Gendering and Humanising AI

exacerbated.

With

all

Viable

these

are

They

Options?

underlying

issues

associated with the gendering of AI, one might ask why it is still considered as a viable design option. In regard to voice systems, Robert Weideman (an executive vice

president

at

Nuance

Communications Inc.) has stated that creating genderless versions of these, is first of all, and in

simple

terms-

difficult19. However, the company was in fact able to create a more childlike, less gender-associated voice for SoftBank’s Pepper- but which may in turn raise other

concerns

of

AI/robot

design

incorporating children-features, and in the way they then are treated. Secondly, using voices identified as female, also has a marketing and consumer aspectas female voices have been found more welcoming by both men and women19.

Page 18 of 34

Yet, in a study carried out at Indiana

ask ourselves whether our perception of

University- when more responses were

them as machines changes- for example,

acquired in regard to preference of

whether it causes us to feel empathy or

female

voices,

even love for them, and whether will it

which were beyond the voluntary survey

make us have higher expectations on the

scope- men showed no preference, but

technologies

women

responsibilities or it will make us

or male

showed

synthesised

an

even

stronger

to

carry

out

human

preference for the female voices19.

hesitant to have them carry out certain

Beyond both the technical and consumer

jobs which could cause them harm24,27. In

aspects of gendering technologies, the

feeling

question

the

strong bonds, we may expect robots/AI

‘neutral’

to attain certain human rights and

arises as to

gendering

(even

androgynous

if

level)

whether

at

a

of

these

is

such

potential

empathy

citizenships

and

forming

(which

the

furthermore, a foremost step in their

consulting firm Accenture has argued

humanisation

share

are necessary to keep robots/AI on ‘the

in

right track’28)- raising them to the same

representation of humans)24- as gender,

position as humans in society. Perhaps

in all its forms, remains a prominent

this will be the first step in AI/robots

part

attributes

of

(designing of

to

humans

self-identification.

or

And

the

dissociating

is

the

creators, and making us dispensable.

technological development direction we

Furthermore, it must be explored how

are heading in24- even if the question has

these new robot/AI-human relationships

arisen of whether the humanisation of AI

will impact the societal fabric and

and robots is really necessary, and if it

human-human

should even be allowed at any level of AI

reflection of gender- whether this be cis-

which is not on par with HI (as it could

female or male, trans, or even a-

have unintended consequences for how

gendered- as stated in prior, this is still

we perceive humans)21.

a prominent part in how we define

humanisation

Studies

have

of

in

AI/robots

prior

shown

that

specifically robots are perceived as being more trustworthy if they are humanisedwhich could potentially lead to their increased adoption in society24,25,26.Yet, in

themselves

from

relationships24.

their

In

ourselves as humans. Thus, it is of interest to see if we can actually move away from the whole concept, even from the level of androgyny, if trying to achieve highly humanised robots or AI.

humanising robots and AI, we have to Page 19 of 34

Gender Equality amongst Youth:

highlighted criticism and protests of the

More

gender pay gap, movements such as

Important

Than

Ever

#MeToo

and

#TimesUp29,

and

the

Now, the gendering of AI and robots, and

incorporation of the UN SDG 5- working

its consequences for gender equality, is

toward

most definitely an issue all generations

despite all these pushes, and even

should take an interest to and engage in-

statistical data produced presenting the

as current views and voices will have an

benefits of a more gender inclusive and

impact on the designs of tomorrow.

diversified workforce in organisations

However, it is especially pivotal for

and companies30, there is still a lot of

youth to be part of these discussions. It

work to do.

is

For today’s and future society, the

the

forthcoming

generations

gender

equality.

(Millennials and Generation Z included)

newest

who are predicted to (and will most

workforce, Generation Z, expects gender

likely) experience, the most direct and

equality to be the norm29- as they see

challenging impact of automatisation-

gender inequality and ‘glass ceilings’ in

and be in increasing contact with AI and

the work place as outdated. In a survey

robots. To ensure that these generations’

carried out on Generation Z, it was found

expectations

in

that 69% of respondents wanted to work

overarching society, including in the

and live in a diverse community. More

workforce, are fulfilled- they must both

so, there has been a resurgence in the

be educated on the topic of biased and

feminist movement amongst youth- and

gendered design, and also be able to

today, the movement has developed its

shape the ethical discussions which

narrative to be more inclusive and

determine the designs themselves.

focused on all genders- including men,

on

gender

equality

women,

generation

trans

to

However,

and

enter

the

non-binary

In recent years, the question of gender

individuals31. Furthermore, it is strongly

equality (even if still heavily discussed

recognised that there is intersectionality

through a binary lens) has really been of

to gender perceptions- and the realities

emphasis. This reality has possibly

for, for example different races of a

brought on by 4th wave feminism

gender, must be taken into account31.

mechanisms of using social media to

In a future where the humanising and

spread

foster

associated gendering of AI and robots,

by

appears to be an expected trajectory24, it

information

communications-

and

and driven

Page 20 of 34

is essential that a more diverse group of people of varying genders and races are sat at the table when producing the designs for AI and robots- as well as in discussing the implications these will

Conclusion To conclude, today we are experiencing the employment sector’s entrance into the 4th Industrial Revolution and the furthered adoption and development of robots and AI for work and societal functions. Millennials, Generation Z and future generations are those who will grow alongside these developments, as people and in job role. Moreover, they will observe and be in direct experience, of the impact these will have in how we perceive other humans and human In

designing

1. World Economic Forum (2018). The Future of Jobs Report 2018. [online] Www3.weforum.org.

Available at: http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Futur e_of_Jobs_2018.pdf.

2. Owen-Hill, A. (2017). What's the Difference Between Robotics and Artificial Intelligence?. [online] Blog.robotiq.com. Available at: https://blog.robotiq.com/whats-thedifference-between-robotics-and-artificialintelligence.

have for gender equality.

relationships.

References

and

humanising AI/robots, and doing so with a gendered outlook, our society must discuss and raise the ethical questions of the impact this will have for the reinforcement of gender stereotypes and gender equality amongst humans.

Furthermore, for these conversations to be the most insightful and bring about the most representative outputs, voices from across the spectra must be heardincluding, and pivotally, those of youth.

3. Heath, N. (2018). What is AI? Everything you need to know about Artificial Intelligence | ZDNet. [online] ZDNet. Available at: https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-aieverything-you-need-to-know-aboutartificial-intelligence/.

4. Loehr, A. (2018). Future Of Work Trends To Watch: Gen Z, AI & Automation [Infographic]. [online] Anneloehr.com.

Available at: https://www.anneloehr.com/2018/07/12/f uture-work-trends-gen-z-automation-aiinfographic/.

5. Social Chain (2018). AI Equals Disruption, But What Will the Impact Be for Gen Z? Scribe - Social Chain. [online] Social Chain.

Available at: https://www.socialchain.com/scribe/aiequals-disruption-will-impact-gen-z/.

6. Nedelkoska, L. and Quintini, G. (2018).

Automation, skills use and training. OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers, No. 202, OECD Publishing, Paris.

7. Bartoletti, I. (2018). Women must act now, or male-designed robots will take over our lives | Ivana Bartoletti. [online] the Guardian.

Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ee/2018/mar/13/women-robots-ai-maleartificial-intelligence-automation.

8. Marlin, D. (2018). Millennials, This Is How Artificial Intelligence Will Impact Your Job For Better And Worse. [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielmarlin /2018/01/16/millennials-this-is-howartificial-intelligence-will-impact-your-jobfor-better-and-worse/#444bbac34533.

Page 21 of 34

9. Middleton, C. (2018). The Future of Work: Youth sceptical of A.I., 'work as a service' rising | Internet of Business. [online] Internet of Business.

Available at: https://internetofbusiness.com/future-ofwork-youth-sceptical-of-a-i-work-as-aservice-rising-special-report/.

10. Onrec.com. (2018). Gen Z most concerned about robots taking their jobs | Onrec. [online] Available at: http://www.onrec.com/news/statistics-andtrends/gen-z-most-concerned-about-robotstaking-their-jobs.

11.

World Health Organization.

(2018). Gender. [online] Available at: http://www.who.int/gender-equityrights/understanding/genderdefinition/en/.

12. Gender Spectrum. (2017). Understanding Gender. [online] Available at: https://www.genderspectrum.org/quicklinks/understanding-gender/.

13. Søraa, R. (2017). Mechanical genders: how do humans gender robots?. Gender, Technology and Development, 21(1-2), pp.99115.

14. McQuater, K. (2018). Gen Z: realness, gender fluidity and in search of balance | News. [online] Research Live. Available at: https://www.researchlive.com/article/news/gen-z-realnessgender-fluidity-and-in-search-ofbalance/id/5033622.

15. Robbins, M. (2016). Is BB-8 a woman: why are we so determined to assign gender to AI?. [online] the Guardian.

Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/science/thelay-scientist/2016/feb/12/is-bb-8-a-womanartificial-intelligence-gender-identity.

16. Bano, M. (2018). Artificial intelligence is demonstrating gender bias – and it’s our fault. [online] Kcl.ac.uk. Available at: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=c97f7c12-ae02-4394-8f8431ba4d56ddf7.

17. Alumni.ox.ac.uk. (2018). Oxford Alumni / Alexa, does AI have gender?. [online] Available at: https://www.alumni.ox.ac.uk/quad/article/ alexa-does-ai-have-gender.

18. Neff, G. (2018). Does AI have Gender?.

19. Stern, J. (2017). Alexa, Siri, Cortana: The Problem With All-Female Digital Assistants. [online] WSJ. Available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/alexa-siricortana-the-problem-with-all-female-digitalassistants1487709068?mod=rss_Technology.

20. LoCascio, R. (2018). Tech’s Future Is Female: Why Women Must Lead the AI Revolution. [online] Thriveglobal.com.

Available at: https://thriveglobal.com/stories/tech-sfuture-is-female-why-women-must-lead-theai-revolution/.

21. Winfield, A. (2016). Should robots be gendered? | Robohub. [online] Robohub.org.

Available at: https://robohub.org/robotsshould-not-be-gendered/.

22. World Economic Forum (2018). AI has a gender problem. Here’s what to do about it. [online] World Economic Forum. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/04 /ai-has-a-gender-problem-heres-what-to-doabout-it/.

23. Penny, L. (2016). Why do we give robots female names? Because we don't want to consider their feelings. [online] Newstatesman.com.

Available at: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/fe minism/2016/04/why-do-we-give-robotsfemale-names-because-we-dont-wantconsider-their.

24. Robert, L. (2017). The Growing Problem of Humanizing Robots. International Robotics & Automation Journal, 3(1).

25. You, S. and Robert, L. (2017). Emotional Attachment, Performance, and Viability in Teams Collaborating with Embodied Physical Action (EPA) Robots. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 19(5), pp.377-407.

26. Robert L.P. and You, S. (2015). Subgroup Formation in Teams Working with Robots in the Extended Abstracts of the 33rd ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2015). South Korea, pp. 20972102.

Page 22 of 34

27. Carpenter, J. (2014). Just doesn’t look right: exploring the impact of humanoid robot integration into explosive ordnance disposal teams. In Robotics: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications. IGI Global, USA, pp. 1354-1380.

About the author

28. The Telegraph. (2018). How do we educate our robot citizens?. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/esse ntial-insights/robot-citizens/.

29. Kovary, G. (2018). Gender Equality at Work and How Gen Z Feels About It | n-gen. [online] Ngenperformance.com. Available at: http://www.ngenperformance.com/blog/ge n-z-2/gender-equality-at-work-and-how-genz-feels-about-it.

30. TheHill. (2018). Gender equality is good for business. [online] Available at: https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/37739 1-gender-equality-is-good-for-business.

31. Aune, K. (2018). Why feminism still matters to young people. [online] The Conversation.

Available at: https://theconversation.com/whyfeminism-still-matters-to-young-people91299.

Ebba Engstrom ebbaengstrom28@gmail.com Ebba Engstrom is an MPA Development, Technology graduate

and from

Innovation University

Policy College

London, with a prior BSc (Honours) background in Biotechnology from the University of Edinburgh. She holds multi-faceted experience and interest within a variety of fields- including agricultural

development,

innovation

policy, gender equality issues and urban studies- and is a Youth-Ag Summit alumni via Bayer Ag and recently sat as a panellist regarding the SDGs at the UNCTAD Youth Forum. Ebba has in prior carried out research with focus on how technologies and innovative concepts, can pave way for development within sectors such as agriculture- with an attributed policy lens.

Page 23 of 34

Finance in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution: How Technology and Finance are already working together to shape the new digital economy

By Jose Alvarez Introduction Geneva,

transactions.

Switzerland;

The

week

of

October 22nd through October 26th,

The

fourth

industrial

revolution is particularly impactful in that new technologies will make their way into individuals’ hands across the

2018 –

world faster than ever before. Below are These were the dates of the 2018 World

just some of the highlights on how the

Investment Forum (WIF) hosted by the

Fourth Industrial revolution is already

UN

having an impact on Businesses and

Conference

on

Trade

and

Development (UNCTAD) and the dates

Consumers alike.

2018 UNCTAD Youth Forum. Thousands of people flew in during the week to

Financial Reporting

attend sessions to learn about the latest

In

developments

investing,

International Federation of Accountants

finance and technology. Throughout

identified that the accounting profession

both the WIF sessions and the Youth

would undergo tremendous change in

Forum session, one topic kept coming

the next three decades attributed to

up: The Fourth Industrial Revolution. In

“evolving smart and digital technology,

an article posted by the World Economic

continued

Forum, The Fourth Industrial Revolution

reporting/disclosure standards, and new

was described as “the advent of ‘cyber-

forms of regulation2.” Accounting and

physical systems’ involving entirely new

financial reporting had been completed

capabilities for people and machines1.”

manually for thousands of years until

With any industrial revolution, as society

the advent and subsequent adoption of

changes with the adoption of new

computer technology during the Third

technology, so must the methods for

Industrial

recording

optimize financial reporting and thus

and

in

trade,

reporting

financial

Page 24 of 34

a

February

2017

article,

globalization

revolution

that

began

The

of

to

change how accountants approached

software

their work. This trend continues to this

transactions

day. Accounting and financial reporting

finance professionals more time to focus

software

on data integrity and analysis. These

has

evolved.

Initially

the

that

will

and

automate recording,

giving

software offered could only be locally

enhancements

hosted on a desktop or internal server

financial

with access to view financial information

changing how financial reports are able

limited to only those in finance who

to be analyzed. Auditors no longer have

knew which parameters to adjust for the

to be on-site for their full engagements

desired reports to be run from these

if

systems3.

reporting

completely cloud based solutions. In the

functions were very limited and there

non-profit world, funders can receive

were high costs to customizing the

real-time reports on how particular

software

a

projects are doing financially from the

number of cloud-based options that

other side of the world without having to

provide customization to organizations

step foot on a plane to access that

of every size. Software is no longer a

information. Accounting software such

one-time purchase to be used on one

as Sage Intacct is even using technology

computer, but sold as a subscription

found on social media platforms to

service3.

transform

The

financial

used. Today, there are

Along

Accounting

and

with

this

financial

change, reporting

to

these

reporting

organizations

accounting

and

software

are

have

how

communicate

moved

to

organizations

about

financial

software has become more varied and

transactions by allowing users to tag

accessible to more users than ever

other users and leave comments on

before.

Transactional

particular transactions or reports4. The

stored

in

accounting

lines between technology and financial

software as well as integrating with

reporting start to blur even further when

other ERP systems to automatically sync.

you consider the amount of raw data

Rather than having to manually record

finance professional have to handle on a

transactional events such as payables,

daily basis. The American Institute of

receivables, payroll, taxes, depreciation

Certified

and

encouraged

other

cloud

data is being

based

miscellaneous

expense

Public

Accountants

students

has

pursuing

allocations, there are options depending

accounting to start studying coding and

on the system being used to either

several financial reporting software even

customize a program or use a third party

allow users to create enhancements and

Page 25 of 34

build out modules that can then be

investment

included in future updates and pushed

presents a new set of opportunities for

out to end users5.

individuals to be able to circumvent traditional

Investing

platform,

access

RobinHood,

to

investment

markets. RobinHood is a mobile app

Another area where the Fourth Industrial

accessible only by mobile phone that

Revolution is disrupting an industry is in

allows you to start trading NYSE and

investing. Technological advances have

NASDAQ listed stocks commission free

helped break down access barriers for

with an initial investment of $50 USD

individuals and organizations alike by

and provides incentives such as free

automating

and

stocks by sharing a custom invitation

lowering the amount of capital needed to

link with friends7. Stash and Acorns ease

enter financial capital markets7. One

the barriers to access for individuals

such

an

even more by lowering the amount to

uses

start an account to $5 USD. These apps

automated algorithms to provide its user

connect to users bank accounts and

financial

round up each transaction to the nearest

financial

platform

investment

advising

is

Betterment,

platform advice

that

tailored

to

each

individual user situation. In the past

dollar

year,

first

amount rounded up is then transferred

independent financial advisor to reach

to an individual’s investment account in

$10

under

each respective app for the individual to

success,

be able to invest as they wish7. While the

Betterment billion

became

USD

management .

7

in

the

assets

Betterment’s

or

currency

equivalent.

The

along with the success of other similar

platforms

online

primarily on the US Markets, there is

independent

spurred

platforms

long-standing

has

investment

increasing

mentioned activity

above

from

focus

emerging

companies and investment branches of

markets as access to mobile phones and

banks to develop their own automated

data continue to increase. For example,

financial

Charles

Saxo Bank started off as a small

Schwab, Black Rock and Deutsche Bank

brokerage over 19 years ago, but has

have all taken steps to become more

grown by tapping into early trends in

competitive

after

like

Globalization and Technology. While the

Betterment

caused

to

majority of Saxo Bank’s client still come

traditional routes for individuals to

from developed countries, the brokerage

reach

firm notes their digital strategies have

advisor

investment

platforms.

platforms disruption

markets .

7

Another

Page 26 of 34

resulted in four out every 10 customers

Leaving your wallet at home has never

being located in developing countries6.

been easier with the proliferation of

Given that more individuals worldwide

payment Apps like Venmo, PayPal and

continue to gain access to data enable

M-Pesa,

mobile phones and that barriers to

partnership with PayPal that will connect

access

investment

Kenya’s 27.8 million M-Pesa users to

markets continue to fall, we can expect

PayPal’s 227 million users world wide9.

emerging markets to strengthen their

However, the future looks to take cash-

presence

less transactions even further. The

and

transact

across

the

in

board

as

has

happened with Saxo Bank.

which

recently

brokered

a

Fourth Industrial Revolution has been described as cyber-physical, blurring the

Consumer Purchases

lines between what is strictly physical

Each industrial revolution has enhanced

and what is strictly digital in nature1.

how consumers paid for goods and

Imagine being able to pay for goods

services. Consumers were either paying

using with only a smile. While this may

for goods by exchanging services or

sound

exchanging physical currency backed by

companies

gold and silver for millennia. Paper

technology in testing phases across the

money back by government didn’t quite

world. AliBaba has partnered with KFC

take off until the renaissance which

for

brought

scientific,

program. Customers will to be able to

artistic and technological advances to

pay for their food by allowing kiosks to

Western Europe and the rest of the

scan their faces for unique biometric

world. This first industrial revolution

markers that will then authorize the

brought us the advent of Electronic

transaction to be withdrawn from the

Funds Transfer in the 1860s, while it

consumer’s

took almost another century for credit

Chinese companies have been working

cards to be invented in 1946 . Today’s

on facial recognition technology to

consumers have more options to pay for

improve

purchases than ever before. Cash, Credit,

convenience to individuals’ lives. Face++,

Debit, Contactless payments, and Mobile

a Chinese startup, has partnered with

wallets are all at the hands of today’s

ride-hailing apps to allow for facial

consumers, giving them more choice

recognition as credentials to call for a

than ever before on how to pay goods.

ride and also uses this same technology

an

explosion

of

8

Page 27 of 34

a

like

the that

facial

future,

there

are

already

have

this

recognition

AliPay

its

payments

digital

capacity

to

wallet10.

bring

to allow employees and visitors to enter

appear to be the new innovation with

their offices without the need of an ID

Consumer purchases. Banking giant,

badge12.Baidu, one of China’s largest

BBVA, announced back in June 2018 that

search engines is working on using their

it was working

facial recognition software to allow

recognition payment platform for mass

users in its database to purchase rail

role out called “Selfie & Go13.” As the

tickets

facial

market floods with innovations in cash-

recognition12. In the United States, while

less payments using biometric markers,

the public has adopted facial recognition

we can expect one to outshine the rest

technology through our phones; there is

and bring standardization to the mass

one

market upon adoption.

solely

chain

through

of

restaurants

that

is

pioneering similar technology to allow its

customers

CaliBurger.

to

pay

CaliBurger

via

piloted

smile, their

1.

store. Customers are able to create an with

CaliBurger,

upload

a

2.

picture and connect their private credit card information so that they can use the kiosks in store. Once at the kiosks and customers have completed their order, customers can choose the smile to pay feature

which

will

then

scan

3.

and

compare the person’s face standing in

4.

front of the kiosk to the profile picture that

was

uploaded.

CaliBurger

5.

customers must then validate their account by entering the 3 or 4 digit CVV security code located on the back of their

6.

credit card that they entered while creating the account which will trigger the credit card to be charged for a delicious

burger

of

the

customer’s

choice11. Facial recognition payments

its own

facial

References

facial recognition first in their Pasadena account

on

7.

Nicholas Davis, World Economic Forum, What is the fourth industrial revolution?, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/w hat-is-the-fourth-industrial-revolution/, Jan 19, 2016 Muhammad Azizul Islam, PhD, International Federation of Accountants, Future of Accounting Profession: Three Major Changes and Implications for Teaching and Research, https://www.ifac.org/global-knowledgegateway/businessreporting/discussion/future-accountingprofession-three-major, Feb 10, 2017 Aspiring Accountants, http://www.aspiringaccountants.co.uk/s oftware-a-brief-history/, Aug 24, 2017 Sage Intacct, https://www.sageintacct.com/intacctcollaborate, 2018 AICPA, https://www.aicpa.org/interestareas/acc ountingeducation/newsandpublications /should-accounting-students-code.html, July 14, 2015 Oxford Economics, The New Digital Economy: How it will transform business, https://www.pwc.com/mt/en/publications/ass ets/the-new-digital-economy.pdf, June 2011 AxxSys Consulting, The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Impact on Financial Services, http://axxsysconsulting.com/wpcontent/uploads/2018/03/FinTechWhite-paper.pdf, Feb 2018

Page 28 of 34

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

Rebecca Burn-Callander, The Guardian, The history of money: from barter to bitcoin, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/bu sinessclub/money/11174013/Thehistory-of-money-from-barter-tobitcoin.html, Oct 20, 2014 Phillippe Le Houerou and Dan Schulman, World Economic Forum, Technology is delivering better access to financial services.

Here’s how, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018 /04/digital-finance-can-fight-povertyheres-how/, Apr 20, 2018 Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, Alibaba launches ‘smile to pay’ facial recognition system at KFC in China, https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/04/alib aba-launches-smile-to-pay-facialrecognition-system-at-kfc-china.html, Sept 4, 2017 Catherine Clifford, CNBC, You can pay for your burger with your face at this fast food restaurant, thanks to A.I., https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/02/pay -with-facial-recognition-a-i-at-caliburgerin-pasadena-california.html, Feb 2, 2018 Will Knight, MIT Technology Review, Face-detecting systems in China now authorize payments, provide access to facilities, and track down criminals. Will other countries follow?, https://www.technologyreview.com/s/6 03494/10-breakthrough-technologies2017-paying-with-your-face/, March/April 2017 Issue BBVA, BBVA launches facial recognition payments, https://www.bbva.com/en/bbvalaunches-facial-recognition-payments/, June 21, 2018 Jennifer Surane and Christopher Cannon, Bloomberg, Why China’s Payment Apps Give U.S. Bankers Nightmares, https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2018payment-systems-china-usa/, May 23, 2018

About the Author

Jose Alvarez Jalvarez1188@gmail.com Jose Alvarez strives to save the world one financial statement at a time.

Throughout his career, Jose has served in positions of leadership for several organizations whose missions share similar goals to the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals, particularly when it comes

to youth empowerment.

improving

financial

By

workflows,

establishing financial frameworks for social impact investing organizations and

NGOs and

increasing

financial

solvency through thorough financials analysis,

Jose

has

helped

many

organizations thrive and carry out their missions. In his spare time, Jose also serves as the treasurer for a Washington, DC

based

organization

and

community-based stays

reading, Yoga and CrossFit.

Page 29 of 34

active

with

Blockchain, new symbol of disruption?

By Smriti Sonam Introduction

Blockchain is an open source technology

When we talk about Blockchain first thing that comes to our mind is Bitcoin.

But Blockchain is more than Bitcoin and much

larger

Bitcoin.

Bitcoin

is

cryptographic currency recognized by the European Court of Justice in 2015. It cannot exist without Blockchain. But thanks to Bitcoin that in recent past due

for

storing

information . A

and

transmitting

distributed

public

database, unalterable, anonymous and governed

through

a

democratic

functioning. In a layman’s terms it’s like a huge excel sheet that runs on millions of computers. Blockchain genome is divided into three parts.

to its aggressive and sudden popularity

It is transparent: Blockchain is an open

drew

source medium. All transactions are

some

lime

lights

towards

Blockchain as well.

registered and accessible to anyone and

Blockchain like Big Data is a vision of storage and use of data, they both are two models of interconnections and

all at any time. Also anyone can change the underlying codes and everyone can see all the change activities.

communications. Many experts today

It is distributed: Without a control organ,

seize

these topics to explore the

shared between its different users and

emergence of new uses of today and

kept up to date collectively. There exist

tomorrow revealed by advanced digital

no intermediaries to authenticate or

advances, in order to model and then

establish a transaction.

experiment with new systems that will bring

breakthrough

solutions

to

customers with very high added value.

It is secure: The corollary of its two specificities

The Blockchain in a few words

Page 30 of 34

.(What is Blockchain Technology? A Step-by-Step Guide For Beginners, 2018) Therefore, it is a matter of trust, born

More

from the communion of the gradual

intellectual

dematerialization of money and the

considering

crisis of confidence in any form of

intermediary, the Blockchain can seduce

elitism and regulation.

cultural creators by providing them with

This technology is based on the "Peer-to-

widely,

this

would

affect

property. Without the

benefit

of

an

direct and transparent remuneration.

Peer" model, eliminating any central

We are also talking about crowdfunding

server and allows a user to register a

3.0, where the Blockchain replaces the

transaction with another user via the

current regulators who are paying an

network

average of 5 to 8% on the sums collected,

directly

without

any

intermediary.

which

Where Blockchain finds its place in real world?

that is best identified today. In Future all underutilized

transformed parking

reduces

these

connection costs.

In the medical field, this would be a way

Among all uses, usage sharing is the one the

drastically

into

spaces,

apartments.

assets income:

will

be

carpools,

temporarily

empty

to give patients back control over their personal data. The areas of development in e-health are still to be exploited especially on the democratization of teleconsultation,

which

overcome the lack of doctors.

Page 31 of 34

aims

to

Newborns

of

the

21st

century, “The value of an idea lies in the using of it.”

Blockchain and Connected Objects can work together. Connected objects would

Thomas Edison

communicate with each other directly following

a

peer-to-peer

trust

Looking at recent market corrections,

transaction from object to object.

upcoming regulations, and accelerated

A connected object could decide to buy

adoption of the technology by global

assets necessary for its functioning or

institutions all point at an ongoing

that of its ecosystem. A connected light

“normalization”

bulb would command its replacement at

market is beginning to speculate less

the first signs of end of life and the

and projects are finding actual use. All

Blockchain would store the transactions

these make Blockchain a safer bet for

between the connected object and the

users and investors alike (Vilner, 2018)

Marketplace.

of

Blockchain.

The

The Paradox:

There is a gargantuan potential in this

The network nodes (called miners) that

technology.

validate the transactions are chosen

beneficial

Blockchain has proven for

activities

that

are

according to their computing power and

dependent on transparent and secured

remunerated

mode

Blockchain

distribution

based

the

of

financial

functioning.

For

transactions,

documents,

charity

example,

government

fund

dispersal,

on

accordingly. The is

therefore

centralization

of

a

computing power.

medical records, human aid and relief funds are some such areas, which

If Blockchain provides an answer to the

blooms best only when principles or

security problem that Big Data is facing,

transparency and security are applied.

but if majority of its users become

Some known banking organisations have

corrupt then the security inherent in

already

Blockchain’s

started

Blockchain

building

infrastructures.

their

own

Countries

like Sweden has even started testing its Blockchain system for land registry (Vilner, 2018) .

may

democratic

prove

to

be

functioning

illusory

and

compromise its integrity.

Blockchain

is

immutable. Since

its

creation, all information is encrypted and registered, so there is no deletion of information. This poses a long term Page 32 of 34

storage

problem. What

about

the

About the author

environmental issues, energy crises and right to be forgotten?

Blockchain projects and unchangeable and

irreversible

method

or

working. What would happen if the claims in the records were fraudulent or simply

wrong? While

the

Blockchain

upsets the role of trusted third parties, Smriti Sonam smritisonam@yahoo.co.in

would it finally need guarantors?

Like theses are some other more burning

A new age thinker and a human right

questions that challenges existence of

defender – Smriti believes in the

this powerful technology , and they are

power of multi-perspective thinking

quite thought provocative.

and creative problem solving. A

Today

Blockchain

unanimously

technology

recognized

for

is its

Business

Project

Manager

by

profession Smriti is also passionately

potential, and despite an upsurge in

involved

in

projects

investment and proof of concept work, it

Nations.

is still in its infancy and is gradually

representative, she has represented

becoming the technology that some have

UN Global Youth at the United

already announced as the new major

Nations and has been involved in

digital revolution from the Internet.

Human Rights activities for more

As

AFI

at

United

(ECOSOC)

than 5 years. Recently she also

References

headed a delegation as AFI (ECOSOC)

Vilner. (2018). South Korea Is Cementing Its Place As A Global Blockchain Leader.

What is Blockchain Technology? A Step-byStep Guide For Beginners. (2018).

representative

at

the

European

Parliament for European Youth Event 2018.

Immensely passionate about youth issues Smriti also co-chaired the Right to Youth Development Summit held in 2013 and 2014 at UN in Geneva. She has been involved and is

Page 33 of 34

working on the development of the Human Rights Council at the Palais des Nations. In years 2015 and 2016, she co-organized International Youth Summits at UN in Geneva, attracting participation

of

delegates

from

several countries. Smriti’s endeavors focus on the areas of importance to young people in the context of development. Bringing youth issues to the forefront of United Nations, specializing development,

in

business

employment,

and

slavery & trafficking.

Smriti is an alumnus of Grenoble School of Management. An Engineer in Biotechnology, she is also a qualified

Management

Consultant

with an extensive work experience of more than nine years in IT and Consulting. She excels in Product Management and Strategy in IT. Currently based in Nice, she works as a Business Project Manager in Travel Technology. She is a trained Indian Dancer who enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures. Her motto in life

is

–

To

create

growth

opportunities for all.

Page 34 of 34

AFI CHANGEMAKERS AND UNCTAD YOUTH SUMMIT Report to the UNITED NATIONS ON

TECHNOLOGY

ISBN: 978-0-9990239-5-2 © Ariel Foundation International, December 2018