Digital development and digital frontier technologies: some cautionary notes

Abstract

This article explores the Digital-for-Development (D4D) paradigm from a critical standpoint, scrutinizing the role and implications of digital frontier technologies within the D4D paradigm. It questions the promises these technologies hold for advancing the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. By exploring the hyperbole surrounding digital frontier technologies, the ideological underpinnings of the D4D paradigm, and the (in)compatibility of these technologies with established Digital Principles, the article aims to foster a more nuanced and critical approach on the integration of cutting-edge technological innovations in development initiatives. The article proposes a shift towards more community-driven, democratic, and human rights-oriented approaches in utilizing digital frontier technologies for development.