Technological Spheres Research Articles

The Role of Functional Efficiency in the Decline of North America’s Copper Culture (8000–3000 BP): an Experimental, Ecological, and Evolutionary Approach

The copper-using cultures of North America’s Archaic Period (10,000–3000 BP) have long been an archaeological enigma. For millennia, Middle and Late Archaic hunter-gatherers (8000–3000 BP) around the Upper Great Lakes region made utilitarian implements out of copper, only for these items to decline in prominence and frequency as populations grew and social complexity increased during the Archaic to Woodland Transition. From a cultural evolutionary perspective, the trajectory of North America’s copper usage presents a conundrum, as it is generally assumed that “superior” tools, i.e., metals, will replace inferior ones, i.e., stone. For well over a century, scholars have pondered the reason for the demise of copper technology that was once a wide-spread phenomenon. To address this question, an extensive archaeological experimental program was conducted which compared replica copper tools (spear points, knife blades, and awls) to analogous ones made of stone or bone to assess whether relative functional efficiency contributed to the decline of utilitarian copper implements. Here, the results of this three-part research program are presented in concert with population dynamics and ecological change to paint a broader picture of the complex interrelationships between the social, ecological, and technological spheres of past human behaviors. The synthesis of these approaches reveals that functional explanations—derived from experimental archaeology placed in an evolutionary framework—can shed much light on the trajectory of metal use in the North American Great Lakes.

Цифровизация и сетевая эффективность государственной управляемости

Technological changes taking place under the flag of digitalization affect not only the sphere of technology itself. Digitalization is not a politically neutral process, a simple means of increasing labor productivity. It has a decisive influence on all spheres of life of modern society, creating additional conditions for their networking. The network architecture of emerging relations includes not only social and political agents, but also the technical objects themselves, which begin to perform the functions of mediators in interaction. There is a pessimistic and optimistic direction in assessing the ongoing transformations and the role of the technical component in them. Some politicians and scientists talk about a new cybernetic totalitarianism, while others believe that in modern conditions not only challenges arise, but also prospects for more meaningful and effective development are being formed. The article focuses on one important aspect of the topic related to the relation of digitalization, its inclusion in the public administration system and the emerging problems of public governability. Trends in the impact of digitalization on public governability are considered, four models of network governability efficiency are analyzed: interactive, contingent, multidimensional, socio-technical. Particular attention is paid to the problem of cooperation between government and citizens, which ensure the effectiveness of governance based on co-governance networks.

Динаміка світових технологічних трендів у розрізі патентних даних

In modern dynamic digital conditions of interaction with external stakeholders, the future success of companies directly depends on their innovative activity, effective implementation into business processes of research and development results in the field of new technologies. The rapid development of technologies in recent years accelerates the spread of innovations, which leads to increased competition, so the organization’s ability to implement process innovations to increase its own competitiveness will determine its effectiveness and efficiency in the future. The article explores the main global technological trends by fixating on the technological spheres with the maximum number of published patent applications, as well as the average increase in the number of applications for a ten-year period in the context of technological industries. A comparison of business areas, whose representatives hold the highest rating positions in the annual world researches of innovation and success (brand value) of companies, is carried out. According to the results of the research, the most patentable technological industries are identified, which included, speaking of electrical engineering, the following: electric machines, devices, energy; digital communication and computer technologies. Among chemical technologies, the largest number of published applications was recorded in such sectors as: pharmaceuticals; chemistry of basic materials, chemical engineering. In the field of machine building, the largest number of applications was published in the transport industry sector and in relation to other special machines. The highest values of the average growth of the mentioned indicator are observed in such areas as IT methods in management, food chemistry, ecological technologies, chemical machine building, other special machines and machine-tool building. The regional aspect of technology patenting is also specified, which consists in shifting innovation activity in the emerging technological spheres towards Asian countries. The most active companies in patenting were State Grid Corp of China, Mitsubishi Electric Corp, Toyota Jidosha KK, IBM, Huawei Technologies, Samsung Electronics.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ФИНАНСИРОВАНИЯ НАУЧНЫХ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ В РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ

The current state of innovation activity in economically developed countries is determined by the creation of the necessary socio-economic conditions for their entry into a new technological order. Therefore, at present, the role of the state is not only in organizing the innovation process, but also in regulating it, stimulating it, and directly financing the scientific and technological sphere. The specifics of the organization of financing of science and technology, the use of sources and the choice of forms of its implementation are determined primarily by the investment opportunities of a particular country, the role of the state, the specifics of the goals and tasks facing the national economy in the innovation sphere. The study of the current state of state financing of science in the Russian Federation is of particular interest, since it is the mechanism of effective management of federal budget funds that is designed to ensure the progressive socio-economic development of the country, as well as the activation of investment activities in the innovation sphere. The purpose of this study is to determine the features of the financing of Russian science in modern conditions and in historical terms. Various methods were used in the study: analytical, abstract-logical, systematic approach, statistical and economic analysis, the method of analogies, comparative and expert assessments, statistical data processing. As a result of the study, it was found that the situation in the field of science is far from ideal. The share of basic research in the structure of budget support is decreasing, despite the nominal increase in state funding. Our country lags significantly behind the developed countries in terms of such indicators as the share of budget expenditures on scientific research as part of total budget expenditures, as well as in relation to GDP. In addition, we can talk about the insufficient updating of the technological base and the complication of scientific research due to the low percentage of expenses for the purchase of equipment. Analyzing the sources of covering internal costs, we can conclude that despite the increase in the share of budget financing expenditures, business support for science is insignificant. Thus, the system of financing Russian science needs to be improved. In particular, it is necessary to increase state support for scientific infrastructure and human resources, while the allocation of budget funds should be based on the performance of each participant, which requires the creation of a system for monitoring and accounting for the commercialization of intellectual activity results.

Общество и технологии: возможности и риски коэволюционного развития. (Обзор)

Digital technologies have become an integral part of our lives, transforming not only the technological sphere, but also society as a whole. Thus, there is a coevolution-mutually conditioned changes in technology and society. In December 2020, a conference was held to discuss the key issues of co-evolution of technology and society in the context of the digital age. It was organized by the Moscow Power Engineering Institute and the Institute of Scientific Information on Social Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences. This review presents the issues raised in the framework of this conference.

ECONOMIC MATTER AND STRUCTURE OF INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL AS A FACTOR OF PRODUCTION

Introduction. One of the properties of the modern developed economy is the predominance of employment in the intangible and technological spheres, i.e., the neo-industrial economic system, as well as strengthening the role of intangible components: high-tech production and, in part, the active dependence of "simple" goods on the intellectual component of the enterprise: brands, reputation, competence (sometimes, even their personal qualities) of employees, PR, etc. Like any other resource, knowledge will acquire the properties of capital, only embodied as a productive force in the production process: the existence of knowledge, by itself, does not give it the characteristics of a value-generating mean, only its use by resource carriers turns this knowledge into capital. The aim of the article is to form a comprehensive view of intellectual capital as a factor of production from the standpoint of determining its role in the system of productive forces of society and value creation. The methodological basis of the research consists of general scientific theoretical methods of categories essence cognition, namely: dialectical analysis of phenomena causality, synthesis, methods of logical generalization; hypothesis. Results. To form a holistic view of the studied category, it is necessary to consider intellectual capital as a factor of production in the composition of "related" such factors in terms of defining not only singular, but also special and general for the systems of different orders, the objective source of which is human, i.e.: intellectual, human, social and labour capital. At the same time, the knowledge and labour, already separated from the carrier, that is, embodied in the "nonhuman" factors of production, we consider to be singular – inherent in the first of all above mentioned. It was determined that quite often intellectual capital is associated with intangible assets, however, a number of researchers identify it with human capital, social capital, and even "quality of labour". There was proved a necessity of structuring "human" productive factors, based on singular, special and general of these systems, which will allow a clear idea of intellectual capital and its structure. Using the concept of intellectual capital, in terms of its structure, its economic content and structure were concretized, namely: personal capital; human capital; structural capital; consumer capital; materialized capital. The study gives reason to talk about the intellectual capital as a source of innovative development and the new value creation. Thus, the prospect of further research is to substantiate the concept of intellectual economy as an economic system, the source of gross product of which is intellectual capital.

Competition for High Politics in Cyberspace: Technological Conflicts Between China and the USA

This paper highlighted the use of cyberspace as a conflict zone by the US and China, focusing on competition in various technological spheres, including cyberespionage, military technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The main purpose of this study was to depict how great powers manipulate the cyber domain for their high political objectives through US-China rivalry. The research has been carried out mainly via literature review, discourse analysis, and relevant statistics. Consistent with previous literature and global public perception, the outcome has shown that both states are using cyberspace as a new domain for completion in trade, technology, and military purposes. Cyberespionage, the militarization of cyberspace, and AI have been the main conflict areas between these two global competitors in the last decade.

МЕХАНИЗМЫ НАУЧНО-ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ ИННОВАЦИЙ В ЭКОНОМИКЕ КИТАЯ

Financial support of hi-tech industries both in manufacturing and service sectors is a priority of China’s economic policy. Technological innovation is considered to be a new driver of that country’s economic growth by the national authorities. Sheer indicators of China’s technological sphere, such as aggregate R&D expenditures and a number of issued patents, look very impressive. But a further development of that sector is impeded with a range of institutional hindrances, e. g., lack of financial intermediation, low efficiency of fiscal stimuli, and widespread corruption. The review covers how the modern Chinese economists treat the origins of those problems and the tools to solve them.

New challenges of modern digital society

This article lays a particular emphasis on the study of the degree of influence of digitalization and globalization on the formation of trends in the development of modern digital society, on the development of companies and their business strategies. The increasing role of education in the regulation of technological processes by society in the context of the development and implementation of the latest approaches to improving the education system is noted. The importance of integrating the educational and technological spheres into the national processes of socio-economic growth through competent strategic management has been substantiated. The education system demonstrates ways of adapting society to digital challenges.

НАУЧНО-ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКОЕ РАЗВИТИЕ КАК ФАКТОР УСКОРЕНИЯ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОГО РОСТА В РОССИИ

The article deals with the modern processes of changing the technological basis of the world economy on the basis of large-scale transition to the use of technologies of the fourth industrial revolution, shaping new markets and opens up prospects for sustainable economic growth. It is in the scientific and technological sphere that the competition between countries is shifting. Russia remains nearly invisible player in this field. The author tried to consider the main reasons for such a lag and identify a set of measures of state scientific and technological policy that can give the necessary impetus to the scientific and technological development of Russia.

СТРАТЕГІЧНЕ ПЛАНУВАННЯ НОВОЇ ПРОДУКЦІЇ В МАРКЕТИНГОВІЙ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ ПРОМИСЛОВОГО ПІДПРИЄМСТВА

The emergence of new products on the market is an important strategic decision in industry. The development of a new product is considered one of the main components of the company's product policy. The ability to create new products is one of the hallmarks of efficient businesses. A new product is the end result of an innovative activity that is able to meet the needs of the consumer, which were not previously satisfied. Strategic planning of a new product is an important component of marketing activities of modern industrial enterprise. This is due to the relevance of this study. The article reviews the best modern marketing practices and highlights features of planning new products in the management of marketing activities of industrial enterprise. Systematic analysis, analytical and comparative methods were used for the study. The article classifies a new product for the manufacturer and for the market: world novelties; new product lines; expansion of existing product lines; repositioned goods; goods at reduced prices. Scientific approaches to determining the life cycle of innovations are outlined: commodity, process, system, effective, cyclic. Recommended strategies for bringing new products to market: the strategy of gradual maximum profit, the strategy of accelerated maximum profit, the strategy of accelerated market conquest, the strategy of gradual market conquest, the strategy of averaged parameters of market penetration. It is noted that the model of strategic planning, focused on creating and maintaining product competitiveness, allows companies to create the necessary product for the consumer, providing competitive advantages to the enterprise as a whole. Determining the competitiveness of products is an important process that concerns various aspects of the enterprise, it requires the solution of specific tasks, which is achieved in different ways: the study of production factors, technological sphere and environmental factors. Maintaining the competitiveness of products is ensured by improving the quality characteristics and improving developing new products.

Методичні засади оцінювання конкурентоспроможності підприємства сфери інформаційних послуг в умовах COVID-19

Information technologies are developing very rapidly themselves and are also developing the world. At present, the IT industry attracts specialists in various industries, «opens the door» to large international companies, makes it possible to create your own business. However, in order to become an experienced IT specialist and achieve your goals in this sphere, you first need to be trained. Thus, the sector of educational institutions in the sphere of information technology in Ukraine is quite saturated. There are both higher educational institutions of this direction, as well as special courses and schools of narrow profile for training of IT specialists. Educational institutions that can ensure the process of providing IT education online in view of the pandemic have a particularly advantageous situation today. Therefore, a study of assessing the competitiveness of companies in the IT education sector is an urgent problem. The article is aimed at improving the methodological instrumentarium for assessing the competitiveness of enterprises in the sphere of information services and modifying the algorithm for assessing the competitiveness of the enterprise on the basis of the introduction of the hierarchy analysis method of T. Saaty to determine the competitiveness criteria, which will allow to assess the preemptiveness of the criteria, one over one. As a result of the study, the need for practical use of methodological instrumentarium for assessing the competitiveness of enterprises in the sphere of information services is established. An authors’ own list of criteria for assessing competitiveness has been formed, taking into account the peculiarities of the activities of enterprises in this area. The competitiveness assessment process is proposed to be carried out by means of two methods: TOPSIS and VIKOR, in order to exclude possible miscalculations in the formation of the list of alternatives, and to coordinate the results of the assessment by introducing a concordation coefficient. Prospects for further research in this direction are the solution of the problem of forming a qualitative list of criteria, in particular, their ranking and constant adaptation to changes in the external environment, as well as issues related to a set of alternatives according to the scenario approach, which will allow optimizing the processes of strategic management of enterprises in the sphere of IT services that are most dependent on changes in the market.

ГЕОЛОГІЯ ГРАФІТОВИХ РОДОВИЩ УКРАЇНИ ТА ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ ВИДОБУТКУ В СУЧАСНИХ УМОВАХ

Extraction of graphite and its use in various spheres of production and technology play a significant role in the economies of many countries. Distinctive characteristics of graphite, which is one of the most common forms of carbon in nature (good electrical conductivity, low hardness, resistance to heat and aggressive environments), are widely used by scientists in various scientific developments. After British researchers of Russian origin from the University of Manchester Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov published an article about properties of the first studied two-dimensional graphene crystal in the journal Science in 2004, and numerous studies of properties of the new material, the demand for graphite ore has been increasing, and, according to some forecasts, it will amount to more than $ 400 million by 2026. Natural flake graphite can be used in new technologies, such as graphene, which is now used in various scientific experiments, as well as in the production of lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, nuclear and solar power plants. Geological conditions of the Zavallivske graphite deposit, which is the main source of graphite in Ukraine, have been briefly presented in the paper, and perspectives of identified areas that can become an additional reserve of graphite ore have been outlined. Significant prognosis resources of graphite in new deposits, which have been recently discovered in Ukraine (Burtynske, Balakhivske, Sachkinsko-Troitske, a number of new sites within the Zavallia area), allow not only to maintain at the appropriate level, but also, if necessary, expand existing mineral raw material base, so Ukraine could become one of the world's largest suppliers of graphite products. Graphene has a great mechanical strength and a very high thermal conductivity. An extremely high mobility of electrons makes graphene a perspective material for the application in various fields, in particular, as a future basis for nanoelectronics and possible replacement of silicon in integrated circuits. Results on the application of unique properties of graphene have been presented.

The paradigm shift in intercultural communication in digital space

The paradigm of intercultural communication has changed its vector orientation in a period of digital space expansion. Previously existing behavioral patterns, which included basic components, have led to the emergence of new behavioral patterns through the development of high-tech production, the media industry and media space. The functional approach made it possible to identify the strengths and weaknesses of digitization, the specifics of communication space in the spheres of science, technology and education and to predict possible changes in intercultural communication on the basis of the developing digital platform. The standardization and unification of digital space, which have penetrated all spheres of human activity, have revealed opportunities for improving digital content and its knowledge component. The study reflects the features of implementation and functioning of high-tech digital equipment in the education system, which is a basic component for the formation of the man of a new generation, capable of living in digital space, managing this space, finding creative solutions and creating opportunities for further development of society. Digitization changes social consciousness completely, intensifies the gap between the older and the younger generation, but this process is inevitable, as it opens up prospects for the development of the world community and forms conditions for its unification and improvement.

The research, development, and innovation trajectory of the IAC Common Bean Breeding Program

Abstract: Since 1932, the Common Bean Breeding Program of the Instituto Agronomico (PMGF-IAC) has provided bean cultivars with high yield potential and stability, grain of high technological quality and nutritional value, resistance and tolerance to the main common bean diseases, and commercial acceptance. This article presents the main results of the PMGF-IAC from a study of its research, development, and innovation (RD&I) trajectory and from information regarding adoption of cultivars (from 1932 to 2019). The main contributions of this study are (i) to display the trajectory of RD&I in common bean breeding in IAC, (ii) to present a description of common bean cultivars of different commercial types recommended over the period analyzed, and (iii) to provide an analysis of adoption of the new cultivars. This study is directed to researchers that develop common bean cultivars or that act in the sphere of science, technology, and innovation.

Design Technics: Archaeologies of Architectural Practice ed. by Zeynep Çelik Alexander and John May

Reviewed by: Design Technics: Archaeologies of Architectural Practice ed. by Zeynep Çelik Alexander and John May Giorgio Marfella (bio) Design Technics: Archaeologies of Architectural Practice Edited by Zeynep Çelik Alexander and John May. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2020. Pp. 262. Design Technics: Archaeologies of Architectural Practice Edited by Zeynep Çelik Alexander and John May. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2020. Pp. 262. The discipline of architecture is tormented by a perennial concern: the theoretical explanation of the role of tools in professional practice. The latest iteration is the obsession with digital practice and its associated apparatus of seductive jargon, software, and algorithms. Design Technics is a collection of seven essays that seeks new answers beyond these fascinations. Questioning and engaging with the mantra of the digital, this collection unearths the old relationship of architecture with techne, the ancient Greek word that best uncovers the root of this ongoing problem. The existing scholarship on this complicated relationship is abundant and overbearing. Architectural historians and critics have confronted the endless facets of the "technical" problem of architecture in many ways. By and large, positions have settled in camps denoted by a few recurrent derivations of techne, which often morph into the ambiguous terms of architectural "techniques," "technology," "tectonics," or "technics." This collection settles on "technics," suggesting lineage with Lewis Mumford (Art and Technics, 1952), but missing—or perhaps avoiding—engagement with the precedent of Cecile Elliott's technological history of architecture vis-a-vis the manufacturing of building materials (Technics and Architecture, 1992). Here the term technics signifies the dialectic between architects and their design tools and instruments. This interpretation eludes the physical products of the built environment, as well as the usual means of representation of architectural ideas. The approach is erudite, departing from the traditional spheres of architectural techniques, technology, and tectonics. The intent is however contradicted by the front cover, which shows two hands holding a compass on a drafting table. The instruments of concern here are not the conventional documenting tools of the profession (whether artisanal, analogue, or digital), but the behavioral scaffolds that frame day-to-day activities often taken for granted in architectural schools and studios. The unifying theme of the book is clear from the titles of its essays, each one identified by a gerund: "Rendering," "Modeling," "Scanning," "Equipping," "Specifying," "Positioning," and "Repeating." These gerunds acknowledge the inevitable software-driven pursuits of contemporary designers. The titles are well-chosen, but the book's subtitle may leave many architects perplexed, once the subject of most essays become clear. Except for the professional act of specifying, which Michael Osman uses to remind us about the clerical essence of architectural services, readers [End Page 630] will find more academic theory than architectural practice in Design Technics. Nonetheless, Osman's essay is likely to intrigue beyond architectural academia for showing the "never standard" history of timber balloon framing, through which he convincingly dismantles the 'revolutionary' pretenses of digital mass-customization. While Lucia Allais's essay on the experiential tradition of "rendering" and John Harwood's reissue of John Ruskin's idea of the "architecture of position" fall more in traditional discourses of architectural theory, other contributions are less directly pertinent to the discipline. This is by no means a criticism, but rather a bonus, as several essays will likely appeal more to historians of technology than to architects. Some readers of this journal may be thrilled to dive into Çelik Alexander's essay on the development of the earliest reading machines, the precursors of digital scanners, and the transition from the analogue parallel processing methods of the 1930s to the more reliable and somewhat human discretizing image-recognition means developed in the 1950s. Others may appreciate the significance of the experimental bio-scientific modeling powers brought by the repressilator as expounded by Matthew Hunter or gain a different view on cybernetics from Orit Halpern's journey on the technology transfer between communication network theories and psychoanalysis. Some readers may even find amused delight through Edward Eigen's essay on the eccentric human-comforting ambitions of the automata, devised by watchmaker-illusionist Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin for his French bourgeois residence. The overarching message of Design Technics is heterogeneous...

Preface

Saint-Petersburg Peter the Great Polytechnic University contributes to the fulfillment of Arctic programs by its scientific and organisational resources and coordinates research and exchange of its results within a wide circle of scientific and educational institutions in Russia and abroad. It holds the annual International Conference on the Arctic (“Arctic: History and Modernity”). For 2020 two scientific events on the Arctic had been planned, and notwithstanding the difficult situation caused by the pandemic, it was decided to implement it. The International Round Table “Modern Problems of the Arctic” took place on the 25th of June 2020. Its main goal was to map out key challenges for further investigations and projects to be discussed at the Conference of 2021. Most of the reports gave place to summarising and analysis of local and foreign experience in high technology research and its application in the Arctic. The key message of the discussion was the planning and design of modern information technologies for the managing of sustainable development of the Arctic. Social, economical, and geographical conditions for this process were considered an essential research objective. Smart-city concept based upon complex socio-cyber-physical systems turned to be the central problem of the discussion as well as the international experience in the spheres of 5G technology, the internet of things, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The results of the research on the life cycle of the technologies under the polar conditions and its analysis were also presented at the meeting. Several articles are focused on changing environmental conditions under the influence of technogenic factor, and on the safety of materials and technological innovations. There are also articles presenting research on the use of advanced bio indicating technologies for maintaining the ecosystem’s balance of Cola basin, Barents region, Arctic coastlines; use of scientific modeling for technological and transport development in the polar conditions, comparative studies of foreign and home experience in the Arctic tourism.

A Review on Smart Materials, Types and Modelling: Need of the Modern Era

The need for usage of smart materials/structures in modern perspective in industries and societal applications at large, cannot be overemphasized as with regard to the propertied i.e. durability, cost reductions and performance consistency. Smart materials are now days being used in all spheres of human life and technology. Smart materials also termed as intelligent materials or active materials include matrix of material systems possessing predominantly a set of properties as per their functional requirements. Some of the examples of smart materials are: Piezoelectric materials, Shape memory alloys, Magnetostrictive materials, Electro-rheological materials, Magneto-rheological fluids, electro- and magneto theological fluids, Thermoresponsive and Electrochromic material. This paper highlights the different types of smart materials and their applications.

Ochrona zasobów natury i rodziny w perspektywie aksjologicznej

The author of the article assumes that the deposit of values is an important driving force of the will to discover the function of responsibility, to search ex ante for effective means of action for life in well-being and at the same time to be ethical, and therefore it cannot be ignored in solving human development risks, including ecological risk reduction. From an axiological perspective, the sense of economic efficiency, growth of business assets and competitiveness become evident if they is anchored in the coordination mechanisms, institutions, regulatory tools and action strategies that bring positive effects in well-being relating to the entire space of integrated development, including not only the economic, social, and natural, but also spiritual and human biology, political, knowledge, technological, and consumption spheres, respecting the synergies and entropies arising from the coupling between them. From this research perspective, reflections on the ethical foundations of education and upbringing for the respect of nature and the family are presented. They are preceded by the presentation of the most important concepts of constraints on development from the sphere of nature and the criticism of the promoted programmes of nature conservation. From these reflections, it was concluded that it is advisable to activate the mechanisms of bottom-up innovation pushing and enforcing pro-ecological strategies coherent with harmonised development in all spheres of human existence. It was also pointed out that there is a need to modernise human capital based on axiologically ordered goals, also using for this purpose the institutions of family and religion.

High Technologies in Central Africa’s Countries: Distant Future or a New Reality?

The article emphasizes the strengthening of the Central African states leadership position in the need to develop the latest technologies. The focus is on the ICT development as a digital platform for economic and social transformations. The realization of Central African Backbone project, which aims to expand the fiber optic cable network within the CEMAC countries, is of particular importance. Its implementation led to the emergence of 3G/4G networks, significantly increasing the population access to broadband services and penetration rate of high-speed Internet and mobile telephony. The unified telecommunications network will make an important contribution to the countries’ integration. The startup system development contributes to solving the problem of young population employment, by realizing the latest technological advances, using digital technologies in such important areas as medicine, finance, trade, farming, education. There is a gradual reduction in the gap between the digital market needs and the level of training for employees working in high technologies sphere. The impact of COVID-19 recession on the digital sector in the countries of the region is inevitable. Overall progress towards expanding 3G/4G networks could be slowed down and the cost for telecommunication services is possible to rise. However, the governments of most countries are striving to ensure that the citizens can make the best use of the digitalization advancements by developing subsidy schemes and promoting projects for telemedicine, education, financial and banking services.