Bridging the Digital Divide: AI, Equity, and Global Development

In the final episode of Road to GEM, Harvard Kennedy School MPP candidate Slavina Ancheva speaks with Dr. Flavio du Pin Calmon, Associate Professor at Harvard SEAS, about the intersection of artificial intelligence, equity, and global development. Together, they explore how AI technologies can both bridge and deepen digital divides — especially in low-resource and underserved regions. Dr. Calmon shares insights from his research on fairness, privacy, and reliability in machine learning systems. The conversation highlights critical challenges in ensuring that AI tools are not only effective but also ethical and inclusive. They discuss bias mitigation, the importance of diverse data representation, and the ways in which technical design must align with social and policy objectives. For listeners working at the crossroads of tech, policy, and justice, this episode offers a nuanced look at how to build AI systems that reflect and respect global realities. Guest: Dr. Flavio du Pin Calmon, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Host: Slavina Ancheva, Master in Public Policy Candidate, Harvard Kennedy School