What is ICT (information and communications technology)?

By
 Paul Kirvan
 Rahul Awati
 Mary K. Pratt
Published: Mar 13, 2025
ICT (information and communications technology) is
the infrastructure and components that enable modern computing. Among the goals
of IC technologies, tools and systems is to improve the way humans create, process
and share data or information with each other. Another is to help them improve
their abilities in numerous areas, including business, education, medicine, real-world
problem-solving, and even leisure activities related to sports, music and movies.
There is no universal definition of ICT because the technologies, devices and even
ideas related to ICT are constantly evolving. However, the term is generally
accepted to mean all devices, networking components and applications.
When combined, these help people and organizations interact in the digital world.
Organization is broadly defined to encompass businesses, nonprofit agencies,
governments and even criminal enterprises, so virtually anyone can benefit from
the proper application and use of IC technologies, devices and innovations.
What technologies are included in ICT?
ICT encompasses the internet, as well as mobile infrastructures powered
by wireless networks. It includes antiquated technologies, such as landline
telephone, radio, television and broadcast -- all of which remain widely used
alongside today's cutting-edge ICT components, such as smartphones, artificial
intelligence (AI) and robotics.
The internet, internet of things (IoT), metaverse, virtual reality and social media are
also part of ICT, as are cloud computing services, video conferencing and
collaboration tools, unified communications systems and mobile communication
networks. Newer technologies, such as 5G, 6G, Web3 and quantum computing, are
also part of the ICT universe.
Any technology, infrastructure, component or device that enables communications,
data sharing and global connectivity between humans and between humans and
machines may be considered as part of ICT.

Information
and communications technology embraces a broad spectrum of computing and
telecommunications devices and practices.
ICT vs. IT
ICT is sometimes used synonymously with IT. However, ICT generally represents a
more comprehensive list of components related to computer systems and digital
technologies.
IT is more about managing the technologies related to information and its various
technical aspects, including software, hardware and networking. IT
management does not include considerations of telecommunications devices and
technologies, while ICT does. IT can be considered a subset of ICT.
What are the components of ICT?
The list of ICT components is exhaustive and continues to grow. Some components,
such as computers and telephones, have existed for decades, while others, such as
smartphones, digital TVs and robots, are more recent entries.
ICT components include the following:
 Devices (hardware).
 Software.
 Middleware.
 Data.
 Wired networks.
 Wireless networks.
 Computer networks.
 Communication technologies.
 Cloud entities and services.
 Communications protocols and interfaces.
 Information security and information governance policies.
ICT means more than its list of components; rather, it encompasses the application
of all the various components. That combination presents the real potential, power
and danger of ICT for economic, societal, and interpersonal transactions and
interactions.
Why ICT is important for businesses
For businesses, advances within ICT have brought a slew of cost savings,
opportunities and conveniences, including the following:
 Highly automated business processes that have cut costs.
 The big data revolution, where organizations are turning the vast trove of
data generated by ICT into insights that drive new products and services.
 ICT-enabled transactions, such as internet-based shopping, telemedicine and
social media, that give customers more choices in how they shop,
communicate and interact.
Challenges ICT creates
Its many benefits notwithstanding, ICT has also created problems and challenges for
organizations, individuals and society. The digitization of data, expanding use of
high-speed internet and growing global network together have created new
opportunities for crime.
Increasingly, bad actors take advantage of these opportunities to hatch new
schemes to gain unauthorized access to enterprise or government information
systems. They do so to steal money, intellectual property or private information.
Many cybercrimes are also aimed at disrupting systems that control critical
infrastructure and, ultimately, creating widespread chaos and panic.
Developments in ICT have also brought new automation technologies and robots
that sometimes displace workers, especially workers involved in repetitive, low-
value tasks. In some cases, ICT has resulted in more people limiting their face-to-
face interactions with others, creating or exacerbating social issues, such as
trolling, cyberbullying, isolation, loneliness and depression.
ICT, the digital age and digital divide
ICT has drastically changed how people work, communicate, learn and live. It
continues to revolutionize all parts of the human experience, as computers and now
robots do many tasks humans once handled.
ICT's importance to economic development and business growth has been so
monumental that it's often credited with ushering in the Fourth Industrial
Revolution. ICT also underpins broad shifts in society, as individuals en masse are
moving from personal, face-to-face interactions to relationships that take place in
the digital technologies space.
ICT capabilities aren't evenly distributed for all its revolutionary aspects, with richer
countries and individuals enjoying more access to ICT. These entities are better able
to seize the advantages and opportunities offered by the use of ICT. This
discrepancy in access to ICT has created what is now known as the digital divide.
Numerous governmental authorities and nongovernmental organizations advocate
policies and programs that aim to bridge the digital divide by providing greater
access to ICT among those individuals and populations struggling to afford it.
The impact of artificial intelligence on ICT
Many technologies associated with ICT have existed for years, such as telephone
systems and networks. Others, such as cloud technology and IoT, are more recent
but no less important. The advent of AI and its rapid adoption across all aspects of
ICT portend a significant future for all ICT.
Virtually every aspect of ICT is being positively impacted by AI. In short, AI makes
everything associated with ICT better, faster, more efficient, more automated and
more innovative. Among the areas in which AI is having a positive effect are the
following:
 Network management improvements. Sophisticated network
analysis algorithms can accommodate and adapt to unplanned anomalies
that could disrupt network performance.
 Enhanced cybersecurity support. When used in cybersecurity, AI can
examine a variety of network anomalies, determine the nature of the issue,
 and either present recommendations to fix the problem or automatically
address the issue with minimal human intervention.
 Intelligent maintenance. By regularly communicating with ICT elements,
AI can assess how well a device, software or network system is performing,
whether it needs updating or a patch and whether it is potentially at risk of
failing. The system can also advise how and when to address maintenance
issues.
 Task automation. Routine activities, such as network monitoring, running
remote diagnostics and even threat hunting, can be automated, freeing up
technical teams for other more complex tasks.
 ICT performance data analytics. AI can capture and analyze vast amounts
of ICT performance data to deliver recommendations for improving
performance, preemptive advice on potential disruptions and actionable
information.
 User experience enhancements. By understanding user requirements and
behavior, AI can develop personalized content, such as access to specific
functions and specialized reports.
 Resource optimization. Using performance data from various ICT elements,
AI can optimize network bandwidth, data storage and other resources based
on demand and utilization requirements.
 Service innovation. AI can use ICT resources to develop advanced
applications, such as smart homes, smart automobiles, and IoT products and
services.
Clearly, the future of ICT will be greatly enhanced through the use of AI and related
technologies.