This article addresses the multifaceted and far-reaching implications of digital inequality (DI), drawing upon emerging trends and examples. The aim is to sensitize policymakers, practitioners, and academics to issues surrounding DI and foster a common and deeper understanding among relevant stakeholders. While research has recognized digital inequality and its dimensions, it has not explicated its broader impact thoroughly, particularly in the current era of digital transformation. The information communication technology (ICT) domain has evolved significantly because of its strong interrelationship with many other sectors, encompassing critical issues such as ethics, inequality, leadership, social capital, governance, and management. There is still a considerable gap in understanding the complexities around digital inequality, which varies across different contexts. Reflecting on over 15 years of experience in information communication technology for development (ICT4D) as both a practitioner and researcher, the evolution of DI in terms of social transformation and its growing short- and long-term implications are discussed. Strategies and pathways for the future are presented, grouped into six areas: a call for a renewed philosophical shift and campaign for digital equality, policy interventions, inclusive technology solutions and services, holistic human capacity building, the universities' role, and the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to address DI.

中文翻译：

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为什么解决数字不平等应该是一个优先事项

本文借鉴新兴趋势和示例，阐述了数字不平等 (DI) 的多方面和深远影响。目的是提高政策制定者、从业者和学者对 DI 相关问题的敏感度，并促进相关利益相关者之间的共同和更深入的理解。虽然研究已经认识到数字不平等及其维度，但并未彻底阐明其更广泛的影响，尤其是在当前的数字转型时代。信息通信技术 (ICT) 领域由于与许多其他部门的紧密相互关系而发生了重大变化，包括道德、不平等、领导力、社会资本、治理和管理等关键问题。在理解围绕数字不平等的复杂性方面仍然存在相当大的差距，这在不同的上下文中有所不同。回顾作为从业者和研究者在信息通信技术促进发展 (ICT4D) 方面超过 15 年的经验，讨论了 DI 在社会转型方面的演变及其日益增长的短期和长期影响。提出了未来的战略和途径，分为六个领域：呼吁新的理念转变和数字平等运动、政策干预、包容性技术解决方案和服务、整体人的能力建设、大学的作用以及对解决 DI 的多学科方法。讨论了 DI 在社会转型方面的演变及其日益增长的短期和长期影响。提出了未来的战略和途径，分为六个领域：呼吁新的理念转变和数字平等运动、政策干预、包容性技术解决方案和服务、整体人的能力建设、大学的作用以及对解决 DI 的多学科方法。讨论了 DI 在社会转型方面的演变及其日益增长的短期和长期影响。提出了未来的战略和途径，分为六个领域：呼吁新的理念转变和数字平等运动、政策干预、包容性技术解决方案和服务、整体人的能力建设、大学的作用以及对解决 DI 的多学科方法。