CIS-A2K/Reports/Newsletter/June 2024

In the Limelight- Book Review: Geographies of Digital Exclusion

Have you ever wondered why some places seem to disappear from the digital map? Geographies of Digital Exclusion: Data and Inequality by Mark Graham and Martin Dittus delves deep into this intriguing question, uncovering the hidden biases and inequalities that shape our online world.

Through a captivating blend of research and real-world examples, the authors take readers on a journey across the digital landscape. They reveal how the proliferation of data and algorithms has fundamentally reshaped our perceptions of space, but not always in an equitable manner. Certain neighborhoods, communities, and even entire regions find themselves left out of the digital world, their stories and experiences erased from the online maps and platforms that have become ubiquitous in our daily lives.

The book critically examines the likes of Google Maps and Wikipedia, exposing the biases inherent in the data that powers these digital tools. The authors demonstrate how these biases manifest in tangible ways, from the lack of representation of marginalized communities to the skewed narratives that dominate our online spaces.

Geographies of Digital Exclusion offers a refreshingly geographical lens on these pressing issues. By delving into the complex interplay between data, algorithms, and spatial inequalities, the authors provide an enlightening and accessible introduction to the critical challenges surrounding digital geographies and their impact on social justice.

Conceptually rich and engaging, this book serves as a vital resource for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding and addressing the digital divides that shape our world. It's a must-read for those who want to uncover the hidden stories and voices that are often left out of the digital landscape.

Monthly Recap

Wiki Technical Training

Wiki Technical Training 2024, a capacity building initiative for technical wikimedians was held in Chennai on 22-23 June 2024. The training session covered essential topics like MediaWiki, Phabricator, templates, SQL, and community tools to empower participants who are predominantly content editors with the knowledge needed to contribute to Wikimedia projects effectively.

Strategy discussion (Post-Summit Event)

The event focused on strategic discussions and engagement within the Indian Wikimedia community. Key activities included evaluating the future of affiliates, discussing the Movement Charter, and exploring the potential for CIS-A2K to act as a support hub for regional communities. Participants highlighted the need for continuous engagement, peer learning, and structured support. Sessions covered topics like governance, representation, and community feedback integration. The event also addressed the challenges of forming a hub and the importance of documenting impactful work. The event aimed to foster collaboration, enhance community support, and improve strategic alignment within the Wikimedia movement in India.

Dispatches from A2K

Future of Commons

The digital commons refers to the shared digital resources and knowledge that are freely available for public use, access, and contribution. It encompasses a wide range of digital assets, including open-access publications, open-source software, public databases, digitized cultural heritage materials, and user-generated content on platforms like Wikimedia projects..

The digital commons is a crucial component of the open knowledge movement for several reasons: Equitable Access to Knowledge: The digital commons ensures that valuable knowledge and information are accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford paywalled or proprietary resources. This aligns with the core principles of open knowledge. Fostering Innovation: By making data, software, and other digital resources openly available, the digital commons enables collaboration, remixing, and the development of new knowledge and innovations that build upon existing work. Preserving Cultural Heritage: The digitization and open sharing of cultural artifacts, archives, and historical materials within the digital commons helps preserve and democratize access to humanity's collective heritage. Empowering Marginalized Communities: The digital commons can give voice and visibility to underrepresented communities by providing platforms for them to share their knowledge and perspectives.

The Centre for Internet and Society's Access to Knowledge (CIS-A2K) programme locates itself as an advocate and facilitator of the digital commons. Our work focuses on promoting open knowledge, bridging disciplines, safeguarding the digital commons, and advocating for algorithmic justice. In line with these objectives, CIS-A2K recently organized the ‘Future of the Commons: A Conversation on Artificial Intelligence, Indian Languages and Archives, in Pune from July 5-7, 2024. By organizing this event, we aimed to amplify the importance of the digital commons, particularly in the context of Indian languages, and to position it as a crucial consideration in the ongoing conversations around the future of AI and knowledge governance.

The "Future of the Commons" event has set the stage for a renewed focus on the role of Indian languages in the AI era. As we move forward, it is essential to continue fostering multidisciplinary collaboration, addressing data challenges, and ensuring that the expansion of AI technologies contributes to the growth and sustainability of the digital commons. Only by working together can we unlock the full potential of these transformative technologies while safeguarding the linguistic diversity and cultural heritage of India.

Coming Soon - Upcoming Activities

Gearing up for Wikimania 2024

As we are gearing up for Wikimania 2024, CIS-A2K is supporting three Indic wikimedians to attend Wikimania and be part of the global discussions on open knowledge. Nitesh Gill from CIS-A2K team will be presenting "Empowering Women Leaders: She Leads Program," as a Lightning Talk at Wikimania.

Commons workshop and photo walk in Hyderabad

CIS-A2K in collaboration with the 24 Hour Project team and Ramesh Kumar, one of the participants from the Wikimedia Exploration Project: Bhadrachalam is hosting the event in Hyderabad. This is a collaborative opportunity where local photographers and prominent personalities from Hyderabad will attend, offering a great chance to meet and introduce them to Wikimedia Commons in one place

Comic

In an attempt to expand our communications framework, we are starting a new comic strip series. We believe this comic series will be a fun way to encourage people to think about open knowledge. We invite you to translate and share this comic within your communities and social media channels. Let's make free knowledge fun!