The digital divide between the Global North and the Global South is a growing concern for technology companies and enthusiasts. This divide is particularly evident in how technology is viewed and used, as well as the role it plays in our culture.

In this episode, Payal Arora, professor of inclusive AI cultures at Utrecht University, discusses the importance of optimism in the Global South and how it can inspire the development of inclusive tech. She argues that we can learn a lot from the Global South, where citizens use technology to address pressing challenges such as economic inequality and social injustice.

About the guest: Payal Arora is a professor of inclusive AI cultures at Utrecht University and the co-founder of FemLab and the inclusive AI Lab. She is also a prolific author with more than 100 journal articles and award-winning books to her name, including her latest, From Pessimism To Promise: Lessons From the Global South on Designing Inclusive Tech. Arora's work has been featured in major media outlets such as Forbes, The New York Times, and The Guardian.

You can find Payal’s latest book here: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262049306/from-pessimism-to-promise/

Hosted by David Carty

Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella

Graphic design by Karley Searles

To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.