12 Dec Migrant Tech Facilitates Hiring, Interaction of People that Shapes Economies

Global mobility managers encounter many terminologies used by many organizations when tying in migration and technology. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is one that blurs the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres–the merging of online and offline systems. For Marie Marie McAuliffe, head of Migration Policy Research Division, International Organization for Migration, as quoted by the WeForum, this revolution is reshaping economies, social interactions, collective security and hiring.

Out of this, one gets information communications technology (ICT). Researchers, policy-makers, analysts and law enforcement agencies have invested time and energy in understanding how ICT is being used to facilitate migration. This includes the use of social media platforms in connecting geographically dispersed groups with common interests, which is especially important as the online companies that the likes of Google and Facebook have built cater to the entire world.

Many online companies have made migrant tech apps – developed by migrants themselves — to support better integration, as well as to ameliorate the perceived gaps in existing integration support services and systems. Migrant tech is not just about the tech but the market it has created worldwide.

The focus on migrant tech builds on a much larger body of work that has assessed over time how international migration acts to support and limit the transfer of technology and knowledge, often working in tandem with investment and trade flows along historical, geographic and geopolitical lines between countries and communities.

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in migration has begun from discussions surrounding the “future of work,” a topic which has rightly gained the attention of governments, employers, unions and the international community in recent years.

The long-term challenges of ensuring that employment and other livelihood strategies are available to future generations, loom large in policy deliberations as AI is progressively taken up in key sectors.

Some discussions have also turned to blockchain technology and what that might mean for migration, most especially for remittances, especially for those sending money to loved ones back home. However, many are still on the fence when it comes to blockchain’s potential.

Nevertheless, a larger issue of much more immediate concern is already upon us. It is having a substantial effect on migration policy and practice around the world, as well as on the lives of migrants and non-migrants living in host communities. It involves the utilization of social media technology to impact the politics of migration, and ultimately the policies of governments.

Social media is involving traditional activists seeking change for reasons of social justice, environmental protection or human rights. Right now, there is no global financial crisis; economic fundamentals are strong; diversity has never been greater; social cohesion is largely working; and peace prevails. The latest Global Peace Index shows that peace in Europe and elsewhere continues to be high.

The well-crafted analyses, initiatives and responses of experts, scientists, policy-makers and practitioners based on facts, evidence and insightful analysis are not cutting through in political and policy debates anymore. Instead, the bigger game is now playing out on our smartphones.

Similar to other complex policy issues, international migration is not without challenges that global mobility managers need to be aware of. Understanding immigration matters can help them work around the limitations in their work as global recruiters, in search of the best talents in the world.

Not many Americans see the benefit of hiring foreign talents where companies see an opportunity to understand how a more multicultural American can only help American companies become big brands that they can patronize. Imagine if Google is only available to use only in the United States? Would it grow enough to make it a search engine that most people in the world can rely on?