Cult B: Reflections on the Digital Divide in two BRICS nations (India and South Africa)

The digital divide in developing countries such as South Africa and India presents a complex situation influenced by historical and socio-economic challenges. Long-standing issues like poverty and inequality, stemming from South Africa's apartheid past and India's fractured sociocultural present, continue to impede widespread access to digital technologies in these diverse societies. A range of social, cultural, and economic factors also contribute to varying levels of digital access and participation, extending beyond merely technical considerations. As the Fourth Industrial Revolution unfolds and ushers in a new era of digital transformation, countries are facing a significant disparity in access to the internet and digital resources. The rise of artificial intelligence adds another layer of complexity to this issue. In addition, the concept of "leapfrogging", which suggests that developing nations can bypass certain stages of technological development, is further complicated by these challenges. This class aims to explore the digital divide by highlighting six key areas: (1) gaps in connectivity, (2) the vulnerability of those without reliable access to information, (3) the structural digital divide, (4) issues of identity and representation, (5) cycles of inequality, and (6) the future of the digital divide.