Knowledge technologies, as distinct from information technologies, have been defined in the Module C of the social risk toolkit. Within KT4D, knowledge technologies are thus defined as technologies which support and contribute to the creation and dissemination of knowledge.
Rather than conceptualise the notion of knowledge technologies under a personal data and user profiling lens, this section will build upon this existing definition and define the terms ‘personal data’ and ‘user profiling’ in sections 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 respectively. Beginning with a brief history of the terms, each section will outline some common uses of personal data and user profiling.
There are of course multiple forms and degrees of democracy which offer varying levels of freedom to their citizens. This section has only sought to discuss the benefits of democracy if it were employed in an ideal setting. In reality increasing political polarisation and the erosion of the power of elected representatives may see some democracies move closer to illiberal ones. This is of particular importance to KT4D as the use of knowledge technologies may differ and produce different outcomes under varying levels of citizen freedom. Later versions of this Module, and the social risk toolkit as a whole, will explore the implications of the use of knowledge technologies in different democratic contexts.