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Cisco and the OECD: Building the World’s First Full Picture of Digital Well-being

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Pioneering research into the risks and benefits of digital life to help society prepare for the AI-era and beyond

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Cisco and the OECD launch the Digital Well-being Hub to holistically study technology’s impact on well-being and shape inclusive digital policies.The Hub explores the effects of digital transformation on people’s well-being by crowdsourcing insights including life satisfaction, mental health, AI tools and ethics, digital skills, cyber safety, civic engagement, climate consciousness and social connections. It also presents visitors with OECD data across several well-being dimensions.The collaboration with the OECD is part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration program, a global co-innovation platform that is helping power inclusive communities and resilient economies.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Cisco, the worldwide technology leader, with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), has launched the Digital Well-being Hub, the world’s first cross-cutting study into the complex relationship between digital technologies and individual well-being. As AI and technology rapidly transform the ways we live, work, and connect, there has never been a comprehensive understanding of the overall impact of digital transformation on our well-being. Until now.

Daily Digital Experiences: the Missing Piece in Well-Being
Existing research already indicates that 40% of adults in OECD countries lack basic digital skills, potentially hampering their ability to safely navigate digital environments, including understanding digital privacy and the mental health implications of online activities. The situation gets more complex when considering that more than half of the workers in these countries are concerned that AI-related data collection could result in biased decisions against them. However, this picture is still incomplete. What is missing is an understanding of how different people experience these interconnected issues on a daily basis and how they impact overall well-being. For instance, a lack of digital skills may limit job prospects, or uncertainty about application of technology might deter responsible social media use, or participating in online education, healthcare or civic engagement.

“Digital well-being isn’t one thing; it’s multifaceted and interconnected, requiring a holistic understanding to responsibly navigate the AI era and beyond. But we’ve never fully examined technology’s impact on our well-being across various aspects of everyday life such as education, health and jobs,” said Guy Dietrich, SVP and Chief Innovation Officer, Cisco. “The evidence we gather from our Digital Well-being Hub will help people build healthier relationships with technology and create a more sustainable, secure, and inclusive digital future. By understanding how technology influences our well-being, we can unlock its full potential.”

Connecting the Dots in Digital Life
The Hub aims to dig deeper into the interplay between these issues by taking a holistic view of digital well-being that makes connections between the use of digital technologies and factors such as life satisfaction, mental health, digital skills, cyber safety, civic engagement, climate consciousness and social connections. Contributions from visitors to the Hub will inform pioneering research that will go beyond technology to focus on outcomes that enhance the quality of digital life for everyone.

“The Digital Well-being Hub shines a light on how advanced technology can build healthier lives and communities-and this is just the beginning,” said Francine Katsoudas, Cisco’s Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer. “Connecting global populations through shared experiences presents an uplifting vision, but also an important call to action on behalf of the 2.6 billion people who still lack access to the Internet. This means that a third of the global population-largely in the world’s poorest countries-can’t participate and won’t be represented. We must commit to narrowing this gap as the first and most fundamental step to global well-being in the digital age.”

Building the First Full Picture of Digital Well-Being
The groundbreaking study, the first to connect different well-being dimensions in a single view, wrestles with the contradictions of the digital world. Where digital technology is accessible, available, and affordable—and people have the right skills—it can improve economic well-being and transform the way we work, live, and connect. AI for example, can boost productivity and improve working conditions. But it can also show biases against women and minorities. The effects of digital technology on the social, environmental, and relational aspects of well-being are less clear-cut, with risks and negative effects heightened by excessive or problematic use.

Part-crowdsourcing platform, part-research tool
The Digital Well-being Hub is grounded in the OECD Well-being Framework. It captures real-time evidence of people’s well-being, digital behaviours, and inequalities in technology use. Visitors to the Hub can also explore and interact with the OECD’s existing findings on technology’s impacts and compare country-level data.

“Through the Digital Well-being Hub, we will hear directly from people to better understand the interplay between technology and life that can inform new decisions and policies, and spur action to improve outcomes for people,” said Romina Boarini, Director, OECD Centre for Well-being, Inclusion, Sustainability and Equal Opportunity (WISE). “Up to 14% of people in OECD countries feel lonely, which could be potentially exacerbated by the use of digital tools. Through our collaboration with Cisco we are exploring the unintended consequences of excessive or problematic use of digital tools and understand how people live in the digital world. Our findings will help to shape policies and foster a more equitable and inclusive digital future.”

How’s Digital Life for You?
During the next several months, Cisco and the OECD are calling on people globally to contribute their experiences via the Hub. Once enough responses are collected, the OECD will analyse and synthesize people’s experiences (the subjective data) with existing OECD research (objective data) to provide a more holistic view of digital well-being in 2025.

Additional Resources:

Digital Well-being Hub Guy Diedrich Blog

About Cisco
Cisco is the worldwide technology leader that securely connects everything to make anything possible. Our purpose is to power an inclusive future for all by helping our customers reimagine their applications, power hybrid work, secure their enterprise, transform their infrastructure, and meet their sustainability goals. Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on X at @Cisco.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco’s trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. 

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SOURCE Cisco Systems, Inc.

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Qatar Development Bank announces strategic investment in global Islamic FinTech, Wahed

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November 24, 2024

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DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Qatar Development Bank (QDB) announces a strategic investment in Wahed, a global Shariah-compliant fintech.

Wahed currently manages over $1 billion in assets and has attracted over 400,000 clients worldwide. The company is built on the principles of democratizing access to financial services and offers clients access to Shariah-compliant investments in its mobile app. Wahed removes the barriers to sophisticated investment management services that have been traditionally reserved for high-net-worth investors.

Khalid Al Jassim, Executive Chairman of Wahed MENA said: ‘We are delighted to welcome our new shareholders, QDB. We believe Qatar is fully aligned with our mission in creating a technology-first Islamic finance leader that unlocks a financial ecosystem free from Riba. We look forward to supporting the Qatar National Vision 2030 of becoming a leading knowledge-based economy.

Ali Rahimtula, Partner at Cue Ball Capital said: “Qatar Development Bank’s strategic investment is a clear signal of the faith the industry has in Wahed and its ability to create the future of Islamic Finance.”

About Wahed

Founded in 2015, Wahed is a financial technology company that is advancing financial inclusion through accessible, affordable, and values-based investing. The company has made significant inroads in the world Shariah compliant investing by creating an easy-to-use digital platform that provides a suite of Shariah compliant investing products including managed portfolios and venture and real estate investments. Wahed caters to over 400,000 customers globally and manages over $ 1 billion in assets.

For more information, visit: www.wahed.com

About Qatar Development Bank

Qatar Development Bank’s mission is to advance the economic and innovation development cycle of Qatar, supporting and contributing to the nation’s economic diversification. As well as a focus on the development of Qatar’s private sector, QDB is a powerful catalyst for socio-economic development in the country, empowering the local economy and bettering living standards.

For more information, visit: https://www.qdb.qa/

 

SOURCE Wahed

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Wahed appoints Khalid Al Jassim as Executive Chairman of Wahed MENA to help guide the strategic growth of Wahed in the region

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November 24, 2024

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DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Wahed, a global Shariah-compliant fintech, has appointed Khalid Al Jassim as Chairman of Wahed MENA.

On this appointment, Khalid commented, ”I am excited to guide Wahed’s growth in the region. Wahed’s mission of furthering Islamic Finance is one I resonate with deeply and I look forward to supporting its growth ambitions.”

Khalid has over twenty five years of investment banking and corporate advisory experience gained with some of the most innovative and groundbreaking institutions in the world.

His career spans leading firms including SABIC, Arthur Anderson and Arcapita Bank in Bahrain, where he was instrumental in making it into one of the PE powerhouses in the region. His responsibilities started in the earlier years with establishing the Investment Placement Team and transforming it into one of the most robust teams in the industry. At the time that Khalid left Arcapita to build his personal business, he was an Executive Director. Today he is Chairman of Afkar Vision, a private advisory house specialized in mergers and acquisitions with offices in Manama, Dubai and Riyadh.

As well as being one of the earliest investors in Wahed, he is currently Chairman of the Audit Committee and Board Member at Bahrain Islamic Bank, the 4th oldest Islamic Bank in the World and Board Member at SICO Bank and SICO Capital in Saudi, an $8bn asset manager in the region.

Mohsin Siddiqui, Wahed CEO said, “We are delighted to announce Khalid’s appointment. His unique understanding of the financial landscape in the MENA region is unparalleled and we are excited to bring this expertise in continuing to grow our presence in the region.”

About Wahed

Founded in 2015, Wahed is a financial technology company that is advancing financial inclusion through accessible, affordable, and values-based investing. The company has made significant inroads in the world Shariah compliant investing by creating an easy-to-use digital platform that provides a suite of Shariah compliant investing products including managed portfolios and venture and real estate investments. Wahed caters to over 400,000 customers globally and manages over $ 1 billion in assets.

For more information, visit: www.wahed.com

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“India Global Forum’s mission more relevant than ever,” says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ahead of IGF Middle East and Africa 2024

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November 24, 2024

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India Global Forum’s flagship event in UAE kicks off in Dubai on 25 November with IGF ForumPolicymakers, politicians, business figures and celebrities from India, UAE, Africa to converge at inaugural session

DUBAI, UAE, Nov. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Ahead of India Global Forum’s (IGF) flagship Middle East & Africa 2024 (ME&A 2024) in Dubai on Monday, 25 November, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman commended the role of the organisation in fostering global partnerships.

“Through their impactful and outcomes driven work, India Global Form has consistently provided a platform that fosters a better understanding of modern India and its vast opportunities for the global audience. It has also played an important role in building meaningful cross-border connections.

“India Global Forum’s mission to build corridors of technology, talent, investment and trust is more relevant than ever,” she said.

Under the theme of ‘Limitless Horizons’, IGF ME&A 2024 will foster new partnerships and collaborations between India, the Middle East, and Africa, unlocking opportunities in sectors such as technology, finance, sustainability and innovation.

The two-day event will begin with a special address by India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.

The inaugural session will also witness UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, Omar al Olama, delve into the policies and reforms driving technological innovation in the UAE.

Looking forward to IGF ME&A, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir said: “The India-UAE relationship has entered an exciting new phase of exponential growth. We are at a moment in history where India-UAE relations are driving the synergy between our regions which has never been greater, and IGF serves as a beacon for harnessing this potential.”

Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chairman, India Global Forum (IGF), said: “India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, aptly noted during his recent visit to Dubai that the India-UAE ties are in an era of new milestones. These ties are not just about trade figures or agreements – they represent a deeper alignment of values, aspirations, and shared visions for the future. IGF Middle East and Africa is an opportunity to channel this momentum into actionable outcomes that benefit not just our nations but the wider region.”

Featuring over 200 speakers and 1,000 participants across nine streams, IGF ME&A 2024 includes:

IGF Dialogues: An exclusive gathering of industry leaders and policymakers engaging in peer-to-peer roundtable discussions.IGF Forum: A Deep dive into how India, the Middle East, and Africa can embrace limitless horizons in a changing worldLeaders Dinner: An exclusive by-invite only dinner at the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu DhabiFounders and Funders Forum: Spotlighting the possibilities and pitfalls of the growing role of AI in India, the Middle East, and Africa.Climate and Business Forum (ClimB) – Exploring how businesses can achieve growth while prioritising sustainability and climate actionIGF Focus Forum – Discussions across diverse event streams, including leadership, entrepreneurship, healthcare, skilling and cultureDisruptors in the Desert – Demystifying emerging trends and technologies across key sectors poised to shape the next decade of the Global South. 

These engagements will tackle pressing global challenges, from climate change and energy transition to the future of AI and digital economies, bringing together a diverse lineup of global leaders, business pioneers, policymakers, and innovators.

Key Speakers across the event include:

H.E. Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work ApplicationsH.E. Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to UAEMahesh Bhupathi, Indian Tennis LegendYusuf Tambawala, Vice President of Growth & Business Support, DP WorldLeander Paes, Indian Tennis LegendAbhimanyu Munjal, Managing Director and CEO, Hero FincorpHarsh Jain, Co-Founder, Dream11Monish Shah, Founder and CEO, DreamSetGoSanjay Nayyar, Founder and Chairman, Sorin AdvisorsAmnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, Market Development, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, MastercardNeeraj Makin, Senior Executive Vice President, Group Head – Strategy, Analytics & Venture Capital, Emirates NBDSiddharth Shah, Co-founder, PharmeasyFaizal Kottikollon, Chairman, KEF HoldingsRola Abu Manneh, CEO Middle East, Standard CharteredSiddharth Balachandran, Executive Chairman & CEO, Buimerc CorporationKuppulakshmi Krishnamoorthy, Global Head, Zoho for StartupsMina Liccione, Comedian, Dubomedy

About India Global Forum
India Global Forum tells the story of contemporary India. The pace of change and growth India has set itself is an opportunity for the world. IGF is the gateway for businesses and nations to help seize that opportunity.  To know more, click here

Social Media Handles & Hashtag to Follow
Twitter: @IGFUpdates & @manojladwa
LinkedIn: India Global Forum
#IGFUAE

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