Over the last years, Asia has undergone an impressive digital transformation. Large parts of the continent have turned from the world’s factory into a creative industry. Asian countries not only manufacture, but also develop new digital products. The region already accounts for half of world’s 2.8 billion internet users and by 2025 fast changing technologies are expected to bring a massive economic change.
Digitalization has therefore become a driving force of social change much more than in the Western hemisphere. This certainly means more opportunities for innovation and growth for many countries. However, on the flipside, if new technologies are in the wrong hands they can also be used as a mean to secure or abuse power. The latest Perspectives Asia edition will shed light on these developments. The different contributions across the continent highlight both the opportunities and risks of digitalization in Asia.