The Fletcher School at Tufts University, in partnership with Mastercard, announced on Tuesday the launch of the Digital Intelligence Index, which highlights the progress achieved by countries in advancing their digital economy, enhancing confidence and integrating communication in people’s lives.
The study revealed that economies such as Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Bahrain have established advanced digital bodies to guide growth.
These countries have defined long-term strategic plans - supported by high levels of education, a high proportion of youth among their population, and the ability to access global talent - to transform from energy-exporting countries to digitally advanced economies.
The economies of the Middle East and North Africa have also made remarkable progress in providing the Internet to millions of people and enabling those who previously had no digital rights to join the digital economy, the study noted.
Bhaskar Chakravorti, Dean of Global Business at The Fletcher School, said in this regard: “The pandemic may be the purest test of the world’s progress towards digitalization. We have a clearer view on how dynamic digital economies can contribute to economic resiliency during a time of unparalleled global turmoil and can be positioned for recovery and change.”
For his part, Ajay Bhalla, president of Cyber & Intelligence at Mastercard said: “Never before has there been such an acute need to understand the factors that drive digitalization and digital trust. With that knowledge, businesses and governments can work together to help all 7.6 billion people around the world benefit from the vast opportunities a digitally advanced economy can bring. Whilst much remains uncertain today, it is clear that digital success will be a key building block in our collective recovery.”
According to the study, the index of 2020 analyzed two components, namely digital evolution and digital trust. The first attracts an economy’s historical momentum from the physical past to the digital present, while the second is seen as the bridge that connects its journey from the digital present to an intelligent and inclusive digital future.
