Competition from the East: The Digital Revolution and How It Affects SDG-Attainment

Arno J. van Niekerk ()
Additional contact information
Arno J. van Niekerk: University of the Free State

Chapter Chapter 3 in West to East: A New Global Economy in the Making?, 2025, pp 73-119 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The digital revolution is rapidly changing the world, with the US and China competing for technological dominance. This chapter investigates the rivalry between the East and the West in the digital revolution, particularly focusing on technological supremacy in areas like AI, digital payment systems, semiconductors and 5G networks, leading to both innovation and fragmentation. It examines the rise of digital giants in the East, such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea, and their strategies to challenge Western dominance. They are expanding globally and promoting alternative models of digital governance. Despite the intensifying competition, it also highlights the paradoxical interdependence between especially the US and China, which is affecting global geopolitical alignments. The chapter further explores how the digital revolution, driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), impacts the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), presenting both opportunities and challenges. One key finding is that while digital technologies can accelerate progress toward the SDGs through enhanced connectivity, financial inclusion, and smart solutions, they also pose risks such as the digital divide, environmental impact, and ethical concerns. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for a techno-ethical framework and inclusive digital transformation to ensure equitable and sustainable development.

Keywords: Global competition; Digital revolution; SDGs; AI; 4IR; Digital transformation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-93267-0_3

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/9783031932670

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-93267-0_3

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Springer Books from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().