Information and communications technology

Information and communications technology (ICT) is a term that builds on information technology (IT) to show how we connect and share information. It includes tools like telephones, wireless networks, computers, and many services that help us send and receive data. These tools work together so people can talk, learn, and do many things from far away.

ICT also talks about how different kinds of technology, such as television and phone systems, come together using the same wires or signals. This makes it easier and cheaper to use all these tools together. Because of this, ICT is a big idea that covers anything we use to send or get information, from old radios to modern smartphones.

The world of ICT is always changing, and it includes any device that can store, send, or change digital information. This means computers, emails, digital TV, and even robots are all part of ICT. As technology grows, learning about ICT helps people use these tools better in the future.

Etymology

The phrase "information and communication technologies" has been used by researchers since the 1980s. The abbreviation "ICT" became popular after a report to the UK government in 1997. It was then used in school lessons in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 2000. By 2012, the Royal Society suggested stopping the use of "ICT" in British schools because it had too many negative meanings. Starting in 2014, schools used the word computing instead, which included computer programming.

The phrase has spread around the world. The United Nations created a "United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force" and an office for information and communications technology.

Monetization

A lot of money is spent around the world on information technology. In 2017, it was estimated that US$3.8 trillion was spent. This amount has been growing each year.

In 2018, the growth was about 5%. The biggest increase—16%—was in new technologies like the Internet of Things, Robotics, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Artificial Intelligence.

In 2014, the U.S. federal government spent nearly $82 billion on IT. Companies spend a lot on IT, and most of this money is used to keep things running. In 2022, the total money spent on IT around the world was just over US$6 trillion.

Technological capacity

The world can store a lot more information now than before. In 1986, we could store about 2.6 exabytes of information. By 2014, this grew to around 5 zettabytes. This is like having stacks of CD-ROM reaching from the earth to the moon!

We can also send and receive more information. In 1986, broadcast networks could send 432 exabytes of information. By 2014, two-way telecommunication networks could exchange around 100 exabytes of information. Computers have also become faster at processing information.

Sector in the OECD

This shows a list of OECD countries. It is based on how much the ICT sector added to their total value in 2013.

ICT Development Index

The ICT Development Index shows how well countries use technology for communication and information. In 2014, the International Telecommunication Union shared the latest rankings. Denmark was at the top, followed by South Korea. The top 30 countries were mostly wealthy ones with better living conditions. These included Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Japan, Macao (China), New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States. Almost all the countries improved their rankings that year.

The WSIS process and development goals

On December 21, 2001, the United Nations General Assembly agreed to hold the World Summit on the Information Society. This meeting talked about the chances and problems in today’s world of information and communication. The meeting was linked to the United Nations Millennium Declaration goal of using technology to help reach important Millennium Development Goals. Many different groups, like governments, private companies, and people from society, should work together to reach these goals.

The world wanted to make sure that technology could be used everywhere by 2015. This was the time set to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals, which leaders had agreed to in the year 2000.

In education

Using technology in teaching can help students learn better, especially when it is used with good teaching methods. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) works to make sure everyone, no matter where they live, can learn using technology. They believe technology can make learning better, help teachers, and make managing schools easier.

Even though technology can improve learning, it doesn’t always work well. Sometimes teachers aren’t comfortable using computers or prefer older teaching methods, which makes it hard to use technology effectively in classrooms.

Mobile learning for refugees

Main article: Mobile learning for refugees

School can help people learn new languages, but refugees often have trouble going to school, especially outside camps. Mobile apps can help with learning languages and reading. These apps are useful because they let refugees practice talking and learning in real situations, helping them adjust to new languages and cultures.

Developing countries

Africa

Technology has been used to help teaching in Sub-Saharan Africa since the 1960s, starting with TV and radio. Later, computers were brought into schools so students and teachers could learn to use them. Projects like the One Laptop Per Child have given millions of laptops to students and teachers. Mobile phones have been especially helpful because they are common and can connect students and teachers, even in places without the internet.

Growth in modern society and developing countries

Today, most of the world is online, with many people using the internet. But many people in poorer countries still don’t have good access to the internet or mobile phones.

Limitations

There are still many places, especially in rural areas of developing countries, where people can’t get internet or mobile service. While technology continues to grow, with new gadgets like smartwatches and smart TVs, many people still don’t have access to these tools. Technology is also being used in new ways, like in farming and healthcare, to help where there aren’t enough workers.

In government

Governments use ICT to help them talk to people and work together better, especially with small businesses and community groups. This makes things like handling complaints easier for everyone.

In the United States, the Department of State has plans from 2024 to 2026 to focus on four key areas: improving cybersecurity, updating systems, managing data better, and training workers to use digital tools well. These steps help governments keep information safe as technology changes.

In health care

Telehealth helps doctors see patients online, and it can work just as well as visits in person.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers used ICT tools to study how people felt on social media. They used computer programs to read many posts. This helped track patterns of feelings around the world and understand how people react to health crises.

Other important areas include artificial intelligence in healthcare, mHealth, clinical decision support system and expert system, health administration and hospital information system, and more health information technology and health informatics.

Software for COVID-19 pandemic mitigation was also developed to help manage the pandemic.

In science

ICT helps scientists and students in many ways. It lets them do internet research, use online research methods, and share ideas through science communication. These tools make it easier for everyone to learn and share important information.

Models of access

Scholar Mark Warschauer says there are three ways people can use information and communication tools. These are: having devices like phones or computers, having connections like the internet, and knowing how to use these tools well. Just having a device or connection is not enough. To use these tools well, people also need to learn and get support.

Mark Warschauer looked at how people in Liberia, the Vai people, use their own writing system. This showed that being able to read and write helps people in many ways, depending on what they need. He thinks the same is true for using computers and the internet. Using these tools well needs more than just having them. It needs the right skills, support, and resources. When people use these tools well, it can help them grow. But without the right support, they might miss out.

Environmental impact

See also: Category:Environmental technology and Information and communication technologies for environmental sustainability

In the early 2000s, technology and the internet grew very fast. The number of internet servers increased a lot—about 1,000 times more! This growth follows a rule called Moore's law, which says technology improves every year. But with more technology, we use more energy and create pollution. Making computers and software creates as much CO₂ as all the world's airplanes flying in 2008.

Technology can also help us save energy. In some countries, using more technology means using a little less energy overall. But as more people get online, we use more electricity. Scientists think energy use from technology could grow a lot by 2030.

To help protect our planet, some groups want better rules to track pollution from technology. They also suggest using technology in smart ways to cut down on pollution, especially in places where technology isn’t as advanced. This could help reduce damage to the environment. Technology can also help solve big problems like climate change in many ways.