Navigating Nepal’s Digital Landscape and Global Influences

International relations scholars have long seen the link between the rise and fall of great powers and disruptive technological innovation. This process generally consists of differentials in growth rates and technological change, leading to shifts in global economic balances. The United States and China are home to the next AI-based power centers with a digital colonization already in progress. The nations that fail to keep pace with these changes are at the risk of being colonies or satellites as a result of the possible devastating economic, social, and political repercussions.

In the present day, the US-China power dynamic is increasingly dependent on how new technologies advance and unfold. The existing international discourse, however, lacks an analysis of how technological changes create conditions for one great power to surpass its rival.

In an era of rapid technological advancement, Nepal is increasingly realizing the need for deveoping a strong digital infrastructure. As the government takes strategic measures toward digitalization, a few key policies, such as the Digital Nepal Framework, e-Governance BluePrint and Policy, AI Policy, and Personal Data Protection Policy, have emerged as critical components of Nepal’s digital ecosystem, aiding the country to transition into a technology-driven economy.

Ambitions and Reality

The Digital Nepal Framework, which was launched in 2019, aspires to utilize technology to boost economic growth, enhance service delivery, and strengthen governance. The framework provides a strategy that prioritises public-private partnerships to digitize public services and foster innovation. While the aspirational idea of a digitally empowered nation is admirable, its implementation has faced significant roadblocks such as bureaucratic hurdles, poor infrastructure, and a digital knowledge gap.

An e-Governance Policy is crucial for modernizing the means through which government services are delivered to the public. The policy’s goal is to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability by making public services more easily accessible through digital platforms and reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies. Despite the launch of many online public platforms, the actual use of these services remains low, raising concerns about their efficacy.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming economies worldwide, including Nepal. Recognizing this potential, the government has introduced an AI Policy aimed at harnessing the power of AI across several industries, including agriculture, healthcare, and education. By encouraging AI research and development, the strategy aims to stimulate innovation and improve public service delivery.

Moreover, in an era where data is considered the new oil, safeguarding citizens’ personal information has become crucial for any government. Nepal’s Personal Data Protection Policy marks a significant step toward ensuring the protection of individual privacy rights, establishing criteria for data collection, processing, and consent, providing citizens with a sense of security.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite making progress in developing digital regulations and frameworks, Nepal continues to confront a significant number of obstacles. Inadequate infrastructure, especially in rural areas, remains a major concern. The digital divide between urban and rural populations must be bridged so that all citizens can benefit from technological advancements.

Moreover, navigating Nepal’s digital world requires a coordinated approach involving the government, commercial sector, academia, and civil society. Building an inclusive digital environment will require deliberate investments, capacity-building, and a commitment to encourage innovation. Similarly, equipping citizens with digital skills will allow them to engage meaningfully with the digitization process.

Nepal is at a crossroads in its journey towards a digital future. While the development of comprehensive frameworks for digital governance, AI, and data protection shows promise, a successful execution of these regulations is still a challenge. Nepal can realize its full potential in the digital landscape by addressing infrastructure shortages, improving digital literacy, and cultivating an innovative culture.