Digitalization must prioritize equality, accessibility, and representation to ensure meaningful inclusion for all. Yet digitalization raises important concerns for societal inclusion. Digital solutions often focus on typical users and overlook people on the periphery of society.

For example, many solutions do not adequately consider diversity, accessibility for people with disabilities, how algorithms and data can perpetuate racial or other biases, or how AI companies exploit underpaid and dangerous work in the Global South. Uneven internet access, lack of influence over development, limited connectivity, education, and affordability are all factors that hinder the inclusion of marginalized populations in the digitalization processes.

SHAPE provides a deeper understanding of the societal and technical exclusion mechanisms to develop methods to improve digital inclusion and ensure equitable and relevant technologies.