The critical but not well-understood technology underpinning daily life
Digital public infrastructure, or DPI, will be key to advancing global development, but a new Devex survey finds familiarity with it is mixed.
From digital payments and IDs to e-government services, digital public infrastructure, or DPI, increasingly powers daily life. It also has the potential to improve life for millions around the world by helping to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. But first, you have to understand the technology — and here, reactions are mixed, according to a new Devex survey on DPI and development. DPI refers to the shared digital resources designed for public benefit — such as digital identity systems, interoperable payments, and data exchange platforms — that sit atop physical infrastructure, such as internet connectivity and servers. These digital resources play a key role in global development, enabling affordable, efficient, and inclusive delivery of programs from social protection to financial inclusion that touch on areas such as health care, education, and governance. By the Numbers: A Devex survey on DPI and development polled 500 international development professionals and found that enthusiasm for the technology is high, but comprehension is mixed. For example, while 8 out of 10 respondents report some familiarity with DPI, engagement is limited, with 61% of respondents reporting involvement with DPI-related tools, and 39% admitting to having little to no exposure. “The awareness gap exists because DPI is often seen as a technical niche, not as what it really is: the invisible backbone of modern development,” Antonio García Zaballos, director of the digital sector office at the Asian Development Bank, told Devex. “DPI isn’t just about software or platforms; it’s the digital utility grid of a country. Digital ID is the meter, payments are the current, data exchange is the substation, and cybersecurity is the circuit breaker that keeps the lights on. Once people see that connection — how DPI powers everything from school enrollment to cash transfers — awareness turns into urgency.” Among those familiar with DPI, an overwhelming 95% of respondents state it is important for achieving the SDGs. Indeed, survey results indicate that the more respondents are engaged with DPI, the more likely they are to view it as central to the SDGs. “Without DPI, every SDG costs more, takes longer, and leaves more people behind,” Zaballos said. “We call that the friction tax of exclusion: the inefficiencies, leakages, and paper-based bottlenecks that slow down development. Countries that invest in DPI aren’t just going digital, they’re going faster, fairer, and farther.” Another takeaway: The majority of Devex survey respondents — 79% — also say that local stakeholders should take the lead in building and managing DPI. But partnerships, which among other benefits confer technical expertise, are integral as well, with 97% of respondents saying that collaboration with international development organizations is important. Similarly, 96% emphasize the value of collaborating with global technology companies. The critical and mutually reinforcing role of artificial intelligence and DPI was also examined in the survey. DPI provides the backbone for AI applications, while AI can supercharge how these infrastructures are built, managed, and scaled. Among the risks raised in the survey were concerns about environmental impact, particularly for communities already facing resource scarcity; language barriers increasing the risk of exclusion; privacy and data protection safeguards; cybersecurity threats; and algorithmic bias and discrimination. Still, respondents highlighted AI’s potential to strengthen DPI in tackling various global challenges, especially strengthening health systems (45%), disaster preparedness and response (34%), and expanding access to quality education (32%). “AI is what will make DPI accessible, customizable, and engaging. DPI is the underlying infrastructure — the roads and pipes beneath everything — but on its own, it’s not very engaging for people,” Chrissy Martin Meier, director of policy at the Digital Impact Alliance, told Devex. “By connecting it to AI, we can turn secure IDs and other systems into tools that learn, adapt, and actually improve people’s experiences.” Download the insights brief here.
From digital payments and IDs to e-government services, digital public infrastructure, or DPI, increasingly powers daily life. It also has the potential to improve life for millions around the world by helping to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
But first, you have to understand the technology — and here, reactions are mixed, according to a new Devex survey on DPI and development.
DPI refers to the shared digital resources designed for public benefit — such as digital identity systems, interoperable payments, and data exchange platforms — that sit atop physical infrastructure, such as internet connectivity and servers.
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Anna Gawel is the Managing Editor of Devex. She previously worked as the managing editor of The Washington Diplomat, the flagship publication of D.C.’s diplomatic community. She’s had hundreds of articles published on world affairs, U.S. foreign policy, politics, security, trade, travel and the arts on topics ranging from the impact of State Department budget cuts to Caribbean efforts to fight climate change. She was also a broadcast producer and digital editor at WTOP News and host of the Global 360 podcast. She holds a journalism degree from the University of Maryland in College Park.
