The Cloud Digital Divide: Metrics, Measurements, and Mitigation Strategies

Abstract: We introduce a new angle to the important problem of digital divide -- the concept of cloud digital divide (CDD), defined as the gap between those who have access to a nearby cloud vs. those who don't. CDD is important because many existing applications (e.g., gaming, online collaboration) require low latency access to the cloud; it will become even more important as the use of machine learning (ML) applications (e.g., speech recognition, computer vision, AI assistants, etc.) becomes prevalent. In this emerging world, low latency access to the cloud can be the difference between having access to important digital services or not. 
 
This talk will focus on three fundamental questions around CDD: what are the right metrics to define CDD? What is the current state of CDD? What strategies can be used to reduce CDD? We will present a study on measuring the network latency to the nearest cloud from vantage points all over the world and combining this data with population and income data to study fairness and inequality in cloud access, across the globe as well as within the US. As part of the mitigation strategies, we will discuss the use of a different network infrastructure (e.g., Starlink) as well as revisiting classic systems techniques, such as caching and prefetching in the context of LLMs. 
 
Bio: Fahad Dogar is an associate professor of computer science and civic studies at Tufts University. His research is broadly in the area of designing technologies for social impact, focusing on systems and networks, as well as new HCI methods. His ongoing projects include making the cloud and generative AI solutions more accessible and using generative AI for education and accessibility use-cases. Previously, he worked at Microsoft Research Cambridge in their systems and networking group and earned his PhD from Carnegie Mellon University. His awards include VMWare Early Career Faculty Fellowship, Oculus Faculty Fellowship, and a gold medal from the President of Pakistan for being the top student in computer science at LUMS.