Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

SOFTWARE

Lack of skills, infrastructure top obstacles to implementing new tech by gov’t

Sub-par hardware, manpower shortages and poor data-sharing are hampering uptake of cutting-edge technology by the governments of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, according to a new report released by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Sponsored by Microsoft, the report, High Aspirations, Stark Realities: Digitising Government in South-East Asia, is based on a survey of 300 technology-sector leaders as well as interviews with experts in industry, government, academia and the civic sector.

The report finds that better use of data, including cloud access and manipulation, is high on respondents’ list of priorities. They also have high hopes for the Internet of Things, in which everyday objects communicate with each other and central servers, facilitating everything from traffic flows to flood control. Yet 46% of survey respondents in government say lack of skills among public-sector workers is the top barrier to greater utilisation of technology, while 44% working in the technology sector point to organisational ICT infrastructure.

Regional variations show surprising gaps in perception. Only 20% of Singaporean respondents believe their government is “very effective” at implementing new technologies. This compares to 57% of Indonesian respondents and 33% overall. This illustrates the challenge in fulfilling the ever-advancing needs of savvy users. Singaporeans, long used to near-unlimited Internet access and robust services, likely have far higher expectations of their government than users in less-developed markets, for whom mere connectivity is often a major leap forward.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Given the number of high-profile cyber-attacks around the world, it is somewhat surprising that only a small minority (16%) of South-East Asian governments consider cyber-security a barrier to public-sector technology adoption. The research found that private clouds which isolate sensitive information from public clouds are one reason security concerns have been alleviated.

Charles Ross, the editor of the report, said: “Organisational challenges have overtaken security concerns for governments in South-East Asia as they seek to deliver more and more services digitally. Governments in the region have an opportunity to stand at the forefront of smart-government development, but only if it addresses real challenges related to employee and citizen ICT skills, and insufficient infrastructure.”

 

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Like Us On Facebook

You May Also Like

COMPUTERS

Designed by Microsoft and grounded in more than 25 years of ergonomics research, the Incase Compact Ergonomic Keyboard is optimized for comfort and delivers...

HEADLINES

Since its general availability in April 2024, Microsoft Security Copilot has become an indispensable tool for security and IT teams.

HEADLINES

From the introduction of Microsoft Security Copilot to the launch of Copilot Actions and new adapted AI models, Microsoft is setting new standards in...

HEADLINES

Through new healthcare AI models in Azure AI Studio, capabilities for healthcare data solutions in Microsoft Fabric, the healthcare agent service in Copilot Studio,...

HEADLINES

“When it comes to mobile computing, AI is not just a buzzword, it's a revolution,” commented George Zhao, CEO of HONOR Device Co., Ltd.

HEADLINES

The data is in: 2024 is the year AI at work gets real. Use of generative AI at work has nearly doubled in the...

HEADLINES

The skilling initiatives will be implemented in partnership with governments, nonprofit and corporate organizations, and communities across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

HEADLINES

Leveraging generative AI capabilities in Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service, the companies will work together to develop solutions that further empower ELC’s more than 20...

Advertisement