Our Research

DIGLab undertakes rigorous, policy-relevant research on the impact of digital technologies on society, politics, and the economy.

Bridging the digital divide

As far and fast as the digital tech revolution has spread globally, key disparities in access and use persist. One key source of digital exclusion is the smartphone gender gap—in which women are significantly less likely to own a smartphone compared to men. Working in Tanzania and Malawi, DIGLab researchers have fielded the first-of-their-kind experiments to better understand the dynamics of this digital divide and how to effectively address it. 

Meaningful connectivity, however, goes beyond smartphone ownership. It also entails being able to effectively use the internet and internet-enabled services through high-quality, affordable, and sufficiently fast connections, as well as possessing the digital skills to do so. Inequities in meaningful connectivity represent a critical constraint to learning, employment opportunities, empowerment, and economic mobility. Working with partners in the United States, DIGLab is studying effective strategies to strengthen meaningful connectivity in underserved communities.

DIGLab Research on Bridging the Digital Divide: 


Digital payments and financial inclusion

In many emerging economies one of the key benefits of owning a mobile phone is for sending and receiving money. The next frontier in digital financial services is the deployment of inclusive instant payment systems, which enable seamless and instant transactions—and hold great promise to accelerate economic growth, financial inclusion, and revenue mobilization. Working with Innovations for Poverty Action and a team of global researchers, the DIGLab is studying the impact of inclusive instant payment systems in the Philippines, Pakistan, Tanzania, India, and beyond.

DIGLab Research on Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion: 

1) A co-authored White Paper published by Innovations for Poverty Action on the importance of Inclusive Instant Payment Systems that are being deployed in emerging economies around the world and, if designed correctly, have the potential to further catalyze economic integration and access to advanced digital financial services.

The impact of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, on emerging economies

AI tools and methodologies are rapidly evolving, characterized by swiftly advancing algorithms and an expanding array of applications. However, with this rapid growth, there is a growing concern about inequity in access to AI and its potential influence on individuals who may be unknowingly exposed to its misuse. The global call for regulatory measures to govern AI deployment is intensifying. In light of these developments, it becomes paramount to systematically assess the impacts of AI, comprehending both its constraints and benefits, through rigorous methodologies that can in turn guide policy formulation. DIGLab is pursuing this research agenda by designing experiments to measure the impact of incorporating AI tools on self-directed digital learning, entrepreneurship, and attitudes towards sociocultural norms, in the US and globally.

Digital tools for climate change risk-mitigation

Climate change represents an unprecedented threat to livelihoods, economic development, and social cooperation. This research stream offers actionable insights into how digital technologies can mitigate climate change impacts by reducing the costs of risk-sharing, increasing the accessibility and uptake of insurance, and facilitating innovative governance solutions to environmental problems, such as managing forests or adjudicating pastoralist grazing rights.

Social media in emerging economies

Over the last two decades, the advent of social media use on smartphones has transformed communication, coordination, and information-sharing the world over. Existing research suggests that these technologies could have multiple countervailing effects on social trust and cooperation—essential conditions for democracy and economic development. On the one hand, social media use may exacerbate societal divisions and polarization through the creation of “echo chambers” and “filter bubbles” and the spread of divisive content that engenders out-group animosity. At the same time, the use of smartphones and social media can increase individuals’ intergroup contact—both virtually and in-person—as well as strengthen cross-group economic ties through increased mobility, occupational change from farming to market trading, and long-distance communication. In line with the vibrant literature on the contact hypothesis, these new social and economic ties may lead to intergroup contact that reduces prejudice and increases cooperation with outgroups. This research stream aims to use randomized evaluations to disentangle these countervailing effects and identify design implications for social media.