Intelligent Technologies for Bridging the Grey Digital Divide offers high-quality research with both industry- and practice-related articles in the broad area of intelligent technologies for seniors. The main focus of the book is to provide insights into current innovation, issues to be resolved, and approaches for widespread adoption so that seniors, their families, and their caregivers are able to enjoy their promised benefits.

Bridging the Digital Divide investigates problems of unequal access to information technology. The author redefines this problem, examines its severity, and lays out what the future implications might be if the digital divide continues to exist. Examines unequal access to information technology in the United States. Analyses the success or failure of policies designed to address the digital divide. Draws on extensive fieldwork in several US cities. Makes recommendations for future public policy. Series editor: Manuel Castells.

This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed proceedings of the third International Conference on Communication Technologies for Ageing Well and e-Health, ICT4AWE 2017, held in Porto, Portugal in April 2017. The 10 full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 32 submissions. The papers aim at contributing to the understanding of relevant trends of current research on ICT for Ageing Well and eHealth including the collection and evaluation of day/night end user behavior patterns through the adoption of wearable technologies.

According to many observers, the global digital divide - the extent to which information technology is benefiting developed as opposed to developing countries - has already established itself as the single most pervasive theme of the twenty-first century. The purpose of this book is to explore some of the ways in which this divide can be overcome both within and between nations. Employing a rigorous analytical framework, the author bases his analysis on the concept of international technological dualism. He argues that one possible solution to the problem is the availability of affordable technologies, such as low-cost computers, which are specifically designed for the income levels and socio-economic conditions of developing countries. He also emphasizes that the most important aim of any policy measure should be to provide universal access to information technologies, rather than individual ownership. Depending on whether or not this divide can be bridged will, to a large degree, determine whether developing countries are able to attain higher levels of productivity, prosperity and global integration.

As humans interact more often and more intimately with computers, and as computational systems become an ever more important element of our society, playing roles in education, the production of culture and goods, and management, it is inevitable that we should seek to interact with these systems in ways that take advantage of our powerful emotional capabilities. Creating Synthetic Emotions through Technological and Robotic Advancements compiles progressive research in the emerging and groundbreaking fields of artificial emotions, affective computing, and sociable robotics that allow humans to begin the once impossible-seeming task of interacting with robots, systems, devices, and agents. This landmark volume brings together expert international researchers to expound upon these topics as synthetic emotions move toward becoming a daily reality.

Over the last decade governments in Europe and North America have attempted to improve efficiency of public services through Information and Communication Technology, commonly branded as electronic government (e-government). Public Sector Transformation through E-Government explores the influence that e-government has on public sector organizations, the organizational complexities that result, and its impact on citizens and democratic society. This book examines e-government's potential to transform public services from a theoretical perspective, and provides practical examples from leading public sector institutions that have utilized e-government as a basis to bring about change. It further investigates the relationship between citizens and government and how they are affected by e-government policies and programs. Aimed at students and researchers of public administration/management and information systems, this book serves as a welcome tool for examining and understanding e-government and transformational change.

The study of older adults and internet use has emerged as a specific area of interest which covers a wide range of topics ranging from behaviors of senior adults in information search to attitude toward the internet, to the use of the internet for personal and health issues, and to cognitive constrains of seniors in Internet use. Engaging Older Adults with Modern Technology: Internet Use and Information Access Needs takes a structured approach to the research in aging and digital technology in which older adults’ use of internet and other forms of digital technologies is studied through the lenses of cognitive functioning, motivation, and affordances of new technology. This book identifies the role and function of internet and other forms of digital technology in older adult learning. It also bridges the theories with practices in older adults’ internet/digital technology use by focusing on effective design and development of internet and other digital technologies for older adults’ learning. This title is targeted towards educators globally with an emphasis on diverse aspects in older adult and internet learning that include learner characteristics, cognition, design principles and applications.