- Japan's World Cup bow offers an emotional reminder of the importance of preserving cultural integrity amidst technological advancement.
- Japanese coach Hajime Moriyasu's bow to the fans after their defeat against Croatia was more than just a gesture of respect-it encapsulated the essence of Japanese culture
Image: HANDOUT
In today's era of rapid technological advancement, digitalisation has emerged as a critical driver of progress and development for nations worldwide.
However, as we embrace the transformative power of technology, it's essential not to overlook the timeless values and traditions that shape our cultural identities.
Japan's World Cup bow offers an emotional reminder of the importance of preserving cultural integrity amidst technological advancement.
Japanese coach Hajime Moriyasu's bow to the fans after their defeat against Croatia was more than just a gesture of respect—it encapsulated the essence of Japanese culture, where bowing symbolizes not only an apology for mistakes but also the deepest expressions of appreciation and gratitude.
Despite facing criticism and scrutiny, Moriyasu's bow paid tribute to the players, the opposing team, the critics, and all those who supported Team Japan.
It was a demonstration of respect for the collective spirit of sportsmanship, reflecting Japan's commitment to its principles, values, and traditions.
This display of cultural integrity during the World Cup serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning technological progress with ethical principles.
As nations integrate digitalization into various aspects of governance and industry, it's crucial to ensure that these advancements are guided by the right intentions.
Just as digitalization facilitates connectivity and innovation on a global scale, cultural traditions serve as the bedrock upon which nations build their identities.
By embracing both digitalization and cultural integrity, countries can achieve a harmonious balance between progress and tradition.
For instance, in Kenya, embedding cultural values into digital solutions can lay a strong foundation based on ethical principles, aligning technological progress with societal values.
This approach not only fosters technological advancement but also ensures that progress is grounded in the strength of character and the depth of humanity.
At Aga Khan University, where I serve as the Global CIO, a similar commitment to our patients drives constant innovation.
Impact, Quality, Relevance and Access (IQRA) are our institution’s key principles, and they are manifested in our recently implemented Electronic Health Record (EHR) system across Kenya with a patient portal functions as a portal that allows our patients access to their health records at their fingertips, without the need to leave their homes or visit the hospital again for results.
It allows them to book clinical appointments, request medical services at home, and access prescriptions when required.
The transparency and access this gives our patients is a mark of the respect, care and trust that forms the ethical foundation upon which AKU’s technological initiatives are rooted.
Indeed, continuing digitalization offers immense opportunities for democratizing access to information, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and addressing societal challenges.
However, to realize these benefits fully, we must create accountability within our governments and policymakers to help in the navigation of complex issues such as electric and internet access, bridging the digital divide, ensuring cybersecurity, and protecting individual privacy.
We are excited about the Digital Transformation in East Africa Conference on April 17-18.
We hope that the profile of speakers attending will attract the participation of the highest dignitary from the government, in addition to around 300-500 executives across Kenya and East Africa to join the conference.
Based on our current interactions, we are quite satisfied with the overwhelming response from the companies within Kenya and across Eastern Africa, as this is the first time Aga Khan University is hosting such a conference.
We would like to continue building the overwhelming response to our recent conference in Pakistan.
Several other high-calibre international speakers have provisionally agreed to participate in the conference.
They include Vint Cerf (Known as the Father of Internet, and Chief Internet Evangelist, Alphabet (Google), Toomas Hendrik Ilves (Former President of Estonia), Dastan Dogoev (Former Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgzstan), and Klara Jelinkova (VP and University CIO, Harvard University).
Others are Ravi Pendse (VP and University CIO, University of Michigan); Jean-Pierre Auffret (President, International Academy of CIOs), Jassim Haji (President, International Group of Artificial Intelligence), and Stuart Madnick (Professor and Founding Director of Cyber Security, MIT).
As we continue to navigate the complexities of an increasingly digital world, let us heed the lessons of Japan's World Cup bow.
Let us strive to harness the power of technology while remaining true to the principles and traditions that define us as societies.
By nurturing ethical digitalization, we can ensure that progress is not only measured in bytes and algorithms but also in the preservation of cultural integrity and the promotion of human values.
In doing so, we can build a future where technological advancement coexists harmoniously with timeless traditions, creating a world that is both technologically advanced and culturally enriched.
Indeed, a world where our children can carry forward the torch of innovation inherited from their ancestors, to thrive in a far more illuminated society.
The writer is the Global Chief Information Officer, at The Aga Khan University and Hospitals in Asia, Africa and the United Kingdom.