Digitalization in Germany: Recognizing opportunities and citizens' fears

Digitalization in Germany: Recognizing opportunities and citizens' fears

The digital world has fundamentally changed the way Germans live, and this is clearly reflected in the current study on digital participation, which is published every year on the occasion of Digital Day. According to the “Digital for All” initiative and the Rostock town hall 1,004 citizens aged 16 and over were surveyed. A remarkable finding: 86 percent of those surveyed have a positive attitude towards digitalization, regardless of their age.

It is particularly clear that digital technologies make everyday life easier for many people. 85 percent of participants stated that these technologies make their lives easier. Nevertheless, digitalization is not without challenges. 40 percent of Germans often feel overwhelmed by digital technologies. An important point that many share: 44 percent fear that they will not be able to keep up with technical developments.

The worries of the Germans

The fear of a digital divide is real. According to the study, 63 percent see Germany as “digitally divided”. The trend has worsened in recent years; In 2022 this value was still 58 percent. The perception of the pace of digitalization also shows different views: 59 percent find it too slow, while 22 percent find it too fast. This view is particularly pronounced among those over 75, of whom almost half find the pace to be too fast.

But it's not just the speed of digitalization that is causing concern. Dealing with artificial intelligence (AI) also raises questions. 75 percent of those surveyed see AI as an opportunity for society, but 24 percent see it as a threat. In addition, 61 percent would like to see a discussion about the effects of AI across society.

Growing interest in digitalization

A bright spot amidst these concerns is the growing interest in digital skills. Almost half of Germans (49 percent) want to learn more about artificial intelligence. This underlines the desire to participate actively and informedly in digital development. However, there are numerous barriers: 70 percent of people are concerned about the security of their data, which prevents them from using digital devices. A lack of technical knowledge is also a reason for 34 percent to forego digital technologies.

The path to digital participation

To promote digital participation, the nationwide Digital Day will take place on June 7, 2024. With around 2,000 actions that include workshops, seminars and dialogues, the “Digital for All” initiative aims to raise awareness of digital skills and encourage society to engage with new technologies. Federal Digital Minister Dr. Volker Wissing will open the event and give keynote speeches to promote commitment to the digital future.

As part of the EU strategy for digital transformation, our European region is also increasingly focusing on the use of data and AI. According to a post by the IWD The EU aims to have three quarters of companies active in cloud computing and the use of big data by 2030. The aim is to strike a balance between promoting innovation and excessive regulation in order to ensure competitiveness on the international market.

One thing is clear: digital transformation brings with it both opportunities and challenges. The key is to make society aware of these developments and provide appropriate training so that we can all benefit from the advantages of digitalization.