1. ICT for Governance & Policy Simulation
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The PICTO Experience
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Enrico Ferro ‐ ISMB/Politecnico di Torino

2. Framing the Problem
Framing the Problem
Diffusion of ICT in every corner of society increases the importance of
Diffusion of ICT in every corner of society increases the importance of
network externalities
Competitiveness of socioeconomic systems is highly dependent on their
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innovation absorption capacity
Higher opportunities offered by ICTs for self organization and active
participation of citizens
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Governments
– Required to play a new and more proactive role
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– Scarcity of resources leaves no room for mistakes
Necessity of developing policy intelligence skills
N it f d l i li i t lli kill
– Understand fast changing dynamics of problems
– Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of policy actions
Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of policy actions
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3. Our Experience
Our Experience
S yea s o e pe e ce po cy suppo o
Six years of experience in policy support on ICT related topics through the
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Piedmont ICT Observatory
A number of International Research Projects: Regional‐IST, Understand, B3
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Regions, BITS
In particular broadband management:
– Agent based models for the evaluation of alternative broadband stimulation
policies.
– Regions for Better Broadband Connections (B3 Regions) (fast track)
Think Tank on ICT and Development Policies based on a “Policy Intelligence”
process in which policy simulation is one of the tools used. The main
underlying assumption:
– Before spending millions of € in a policy it is worth spending a few thousands €
(1%) to understand what is the problem and how to best tackle it
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4. Our Vision for the Future
Our Vision for the Future
Possible interesting applications of policy simulation:
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– Real time policy testing (es: tax brackets change in Italy)
– Policy simulation/testing as a part of the e participatory process
e‐participatory process.
– Down time sensitive services (emergency numbers i.e. 911, fire brigades,
Hospitals, etc..)
– Using existing virtual worlds as test‐beds (for new service development or
policy testing)
Benefits/Impacts:
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– Who will use it? policy makers, strategists, scholars
– Who will benefit? people as tax payers citizens workers customers
payers, citizens, workers,
– What impacts? better public spending, deeper citizens involvement
– Our contribution? Research aimed at advancing policy formulation and
analysis
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