Emerging markets represent two-thirds of the world's population, generate over 20 percent of the world's gross domestic product, and are restructuring themselves to foster further growth and socioeconomic development. Realizing that IT puts them on a progressive path, they're embracing it in novel ways in areas such as business, education, healthcare, and government. New opportunities exist for the IT industry and emerging markets to embrace each other. This special issue presents a snapshot of IT's progress and potential in such markets and the related challenges IT professionals and policy makers must address.