Introduction to Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) Comprehensive 80-slide presentation — latest trends, components, scope, and interactive elements. Prepared with web-sourced, up-to-date material.
Agenda 1. Introduction to ICT 2. Components of ICT (hardware, software, networks, storage, platforms) 3. Scope of ICT (education, business, governance, healthcare, media) 4. Emerging technologies & future trends 5. Case studies and interactive activities
What is ICT? Key global facts (ITU 2024): ~5.5 billion internet users (~68% of world) in 2024; 2.6 billion people remain offline. Global data growth: projected ~181–200 zettabytes by end of 2025 (sources vary). Implication: explosion of data requires scalable cloud, edge storage, and strong governance. Definition: ICT = technologies for storing, retrieving, processing and communicating information. Includes devices (computers, phones), networks, software, and services. Open ITU Facts & Figures (PDF)
Brief History of ICT From telegraph & telephone to internet and mobile networks. Convergence of communications and computing in late 20th century.
Why ICT Matters Drives economic development, education access, and social inclusion. Enables remote services, digital markets, and data-driven decisions.
Key ICT Concepts Connectivity metrics: bandwidth (Mbps/Gbps), latency (ms), packet loss — critical for real-time applications. Storage options: local (SSD/HDD, NAS), cloud (object storage like S3), hybrid architectures for data sovereignty. Platform choices: IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS; consider shared-responsibility and compliance. Connectivity, bandwidth, latency, interoperability. Cloud vs. local storage, platforms, APIs, middleware. Gartner Trends 2025 (Agentic AI & more)
ICT Ecosystem Users, devices, service providers, regulators, content creators. Interactions form digital value chains (devices → network → cloud → application).
Universal & Meaningful Connectivity (UMC) Not just access: affordability, devices, digital skills, and safety. Policy objective in ITU's recent reports.
Global ICT Capacity Snapshot Key global facts (ITU 2024): ~5.5 billion internet users (~68% of world) in 2024; 2.6 billion people remain offline. Global data growth: projected ~181–200 zettabytes by end of 2025 (sources vary). Implication: explosion of data requires scalable cloud, edge storage, and strong governance. Explosive growth in storage and compute capacity over decades. Cloud and data centers are major infrastructure components today. Open ITU Facts & Figures (PDF)
Common ICT Misconceptions ICT ≠ only the internet; includes legacy and analog systems. ‘More tech’ doesn't automatically yield better outcomes—effective integration matters.
Hardware: Servers & Data Centers On-prem servers vs. cloud instances. Cooling, power, rack density, and physical security.
Storage: Local vs Cloud Hybrid storage: Tier hot/cold data; use object storage for large-scale analytics, block for VMs, file for shared storage. Edge use-case: process sensor data near source to reduce latency and bandwidth costs (industrial IoT, smart cities). Local storage: disks, NAS, SAN. Cloud storage: object, block, file — scalability & managed services. Big-data growth & projections
Networks: Wireless & Mobile Cellular (4G/5G), Wi‑Fi, LPWAN for IoT. Coverage, spectrum, and mobility considerations.
Software: System Software OS, drivers, hypervisors, container runtimes. Role: resource management and hardware abstraction.
Software: Application Software End-user apps, enterprise software, web apps, mobile apps. SaaS model and subscription economics.
Platforms: Cloud Platforms IaaS, PaaS, SaaS — examples: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud. Shared responsibility model and managed services.
Platforms: Edge & Fog Computing Hybrid storage: Tier hot/cold data; use object storage for large-scale analytics, block for VMs, file for shared storage. Edge use-case: process sensor data near source to reduce latency and bandwidth costs (industrial IoT, smart cities). Processing closer to data sources reduces latency. Useful for real-time IoT/industry applications. Big-data growth & projections
Middleware & APIs Integration layer: messaging, API gateways, ESBs. Enables interoperability across systems.
Business Continuity & DR Backups, replication, failover, RTO/RPO planning. Hybrid cloud DR strategies.
Licensing & Open Source Commercial vs OSS — tradeoffs: cost, support, control. Open standards and community innovation.
Sustainability in ICT Energy-efficient hardware, green data centers, e-waste management. Emerging focus on energy-efficient computing.
ICT in Education: Overview EdTech adoption: LMS (Moodle/Canvas), video conferencing, adaptive learning platforms; measure outcomes (completion rates, engagement). Digital inclusion challenges: device access, teacher training, local language content. Interactive idea: QR code to a sample national LMS or MOOC for demo (link in notes). Digital classrooms, LMS, MOOCs, blended learning. UNESCO advocates integration for equity & quality. NITB - Pakistan digital initiatives
EdTech Tools & Platforms EdTech adoption: LMS (Moodle/Canvas), video conferencing, adaptive learning platforms; measure outcomes (completion rates, engagement). Digital inclusion challenges: device access, teacher training, local language content. Interactive idea: QR code to a sample national LMS or MOOC for demo (link in notes). LMS (Moodle, Canvas), video conferencing, assessment tools. Adaptive learning, learning analytics. NITB - Pakistan digital initiatives
Risks & Ethical Considerations Bias in AI, surveillance risks, misinformation. Policy and governance frameworks needed.
Policy & Digital Governance Standards, cybersecurity laws, national broadband plans. Public-private partnerships accelerate deployment.
Digital Skills & Workforce Reskilling, digital literacy programs, STEM education. Critical to sustain ICT benefits.
Funding Models & Investments Public funding, donor programs, venture capital for startups.
Interoperability & Open Standards APIs, data formats, and protocols enable integration.
Emerging Business Models Subscription, pay-per-use, platform-as-a-service, marketplaces.
Summary: Scope Wrap-up ICT touches nearly every sector; integration, governance, and skills are central.
AI & Machine Learning Agentic AI: Autonomous agents that can plan and act — Gartner highlights big potential but immature maturity; many projects may be scrapped by 2027. Practical uses: automation of workflows, AI-assistants, intelligent search and recommendation systems. Risks: governance, safety, cost, and model explainability are key concerns. Generative AI, predictive analytics, automation. Agentic AI: autonomous agents performing tasks. Reuters: Agentic AI risks & outlook
Agentic AI: Opportunities & Risks Agentic AI: Autonomous agents that can plan and act — Gartner highlights big potential but immature maturity; many projects may be scrapped by 2027. Practical uses: automation of workflows, AI-assistants, intelligent search and recommendation systems. Risks: governance, safety, cost, and model explainability are key concerns. Can automate workflows but many projects may fail without clear ROI. Security and governance challenges noted in industry reports. Reuters: Agentic AI risks & outlook
Spatial Computing & XR AR/VR for training, visualization, remote assistance. New interaction paradigms: spatial interfaces.
Post-Quantum Cryptography Preparing cryptography for quantum threats. Standardization efforts ongoing.
Edge, 5G & Connectivity Low-latency applications, IoT scale, enhanced mobile broadband. 5G private networks for enterprises.
Skill & Job Shift Forecasts Demand for AI, cloud, cybersecurity skills rising. Reskilling essential to manage transition.
Preparing for the Future Governance, standards, workforce, and sustainability are critical enablers.
Top Recommendations for Organizations Adopt cloud-native & secure-by-design practices. Invest in skills, governance, and measurable pilots.
Interactive Slide: Quiz (Answers in Notes) Q1: Name three core components of ICT. Q2: What is agentic AI?
Interactive Slide: Workshop Activity Design a small ICT deployment for a rural school (groups). Identify devices, connectivity, software, training needs.
Resources & Further Reading ITU ICT Development Index, UNESCO digital learning resources. Gartner tech trends, recent industry reports.
Thank You / Q&A Contact info and next steps. Invite feedback and suggest hands-on lab or demo.
Digital Pakistan: Overview (2024–2025) Government vision to grow the digital economy, expand broadband, and promote e-governance. Key actors: Ministry of IT & Telecom, NITB, provincial initiatives and public-private partnerships. Considerations: digital skills, cybersecurity, data sovereignty, and regional connectivity. NITB official website
Pakistan ICT Snapshot (selected metrics) Growing freelancing and startup ecosystem; IT exports and remittances rising (government targets for 2025). Infrastructure: fibre backbone expansion, mobile broadband growth, emergence of smart city pilots. Challenges: digital divide, capacity building, regulatory modernization. Digital Pakistan Monitor (FNPk)
Interactive Images & Demos (click links) Agentic AI explainer video (YouTube) — demo agent workflows. Cloud architecture animation — how hybrid cloud handles bursts. Smart classroom video — blended learning in action. Gartner Trends 2025 ITU Facts & Figures PDF