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Information Technology for Development

Author ORCID Identifier

Juliana Carreno: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0832-1947

Nick J. Brown: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2562-2258

Peter Stasinopoulos: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1770-0383

Tanja Rosenqvist: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3899-6694

Abstract

Emerging technologies have many applications that can support sustainable development, including humanitarian action and development assistance. However, these technologies can also lead to adverse outcomes, including limited uptake, increased risks, and potential harm. Adverse outcomes of solutions based on technology in humanitarian and development efforts are attributed in part to a lack of consideration for end-users and their contexts when these solutions are being developed. This paper presents the results of a systematic literature review that examined the development process of solutions using emerging technologies in humanitarian action and development assistance. Three key themes emerged from this review: approach, methods and end-user engagement. Although this study contributes to understanding the process of developing emerging technologies for humanitarian action and development assistance, a significant gap persists in the literature regarding the practical application of the approaches and methods used throughout the development process. How these approaches and methods are applied, and the end-user engagement that they lead to, are key in determining the extent to which end-users and their specific contexts are considered and integrated into the development process. We emphasise the significance of addressing this knowledge gap, considering that better consideration for end-users and their contexts can minimise adverse outcomes in future applications of these technologies in aid delivery.

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