MY EXPERIENCES WITH DIGITALIZATION
I was born in 1989 and I remember when in primary school we learned how to use computers and I visited the library ”on the Internet”. I also used the computer at my sister’s house, usually I played games on the computer. Parents bought us our first desktop computer in 2002.
I remember that using a computer was easy for me, but my parents needed guidance on how to use the computer and the Internet. In elementary school, computer science was taught, and in secondary school I took a free-choice course that taught me the ten-finger system, which has been very useful to me because it speeds up writing.
In vocational school and university of applied sciences studies, digitalization increased all the time during my studies between 2005 and 2016. In the vocational school, overhead projectors were still used and the notes were made on paper with a pen, writing with a pen, now I am studying master’s studies completely remotely.
DIGITALIZATION IN MY WORK
I work at FSHS in digital services two years, where there is a nationwide assessment of the need for treatment and a digital clinic. The work is done all the time on the computer and there are several different applications for doing the work.
The work is done in such a way that the service is provided to all students regardless of location, i.e. even though I myself work physically in Joensuu, I work with students who are physically anywhere in Finland. The members of my work community are all over Finland from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and our remote work community is very close-knit and close, we are always present through Teams.
I have previously worked at workplaces and I feel that in a remote work community I get help much faster and without burdens, because I can ask for help on the common channel of the work community and the first person to answer it is who has the time/answer to my question right then.
I am really happy to be able to utilize digitalization in my work and I have development ideas on how digitalization could be added to the services, such as by introducing an application in which the digital clinic would work. Students currently have access to the Self online service, which is good, but application-based use could be smoother and easier than at present.
Overall, digitalization has the potential to greatly improve the healthcare experiences of students, by providing more accessible, efficient, and personalized care. However, it is important to ensure that these technologies are used in a way that respects students’ privacy and security, and that they are not used to perpetuate existing inequalities in access to healthcare.
HOW THE DIGITALIZATION WILL CHANGE LIFE AND WORK IN THE FUTURE?
Digitalization is expected to significantly impact various aspects of life and work in the future. Some of the ways in which it may change life and work include:
- Increased automation: Automation of repetitive tasks through the use of artificial intelligence and robotics is expected to become more widespread, leading to improved efficiency and productivity in the workplace.
- Remote work: Digitalization has already enabled more people to work from anywhere with an internet connection, and this is expected to continue and expand in the future.
- New job opportunities: Digitalization is also likely to create new job opportunities.
- Alternatives to healthcare: Digitalisation provides opportunities for more accessible healthcare services.
- Changes in education: Digitalization is expected to change the way education is delivered, making it more accessible, interactive, and personalized.
- Enhanced entertainment: Digitalization will bring new and improved entertainment experiences, such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and other forms of immersive media.
However, digitalization also brings its own challenges and risks, such as job displacement, privacy and security concerns, and the widening digital divide. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the benefits and drawbacks of these technological advancements and plan for a balanced and equitable future.
RISKS OF OPEN DIGITAL SOCIETY
The open digital society, characterized by the widespread use of technology and the internet, has several associated risks, including:
- Privacy and security: The open digital society puts personal data at risk of being hacked, stolen, or misused. This can include sensitive information such as financial data, medical records, and personal identification.
- Cybercrime: The open digital society makes it easier for cybercriminals to carry out criminal activities such as phishing, malware attacks, and identity theft.
- Disinformation and fake news: The open digital society makes it easier for false or misleading information to spread rapidly, potentially leading to confusion and mistrust.
- Job losses: An open digital society can lead to job shifts as automation and artificial intelligence become more common.
- Digital divide: An open digital society can lead to a widening gap between those who have access to technology and the internet and those who do not, thus perpetuating existing inequalities and disparities.
- Addiction and over-dependence: The open digital society may also lead to addiction and over-dependence on technology, potentially having negative effects on physical and mental health.
It is important to address these risks in order to ensure that the benefits of the open digital society can be fully realized, while also ensuring the protection of individual rights and well-being. This may involve implementing measures such as strong privacy and security measures, education and awareness campaigns, and policies to mitigate the potential negative impacts of technology on society.
GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION(GDPR)
The general data protection regulation was published in 2016 and has been applied since 2018. The regulation applies to all organizations operating within the EU, as well as organizations outside the EU that process the personal data of EU citizens. Organizations must ensure that they have the necessary processes, policies, and technologies in place to meet the requirements of the GDPR and protect the privacy of individuals’ personal data. I don’t remember my workplace talking about GDPR.
As far as I remember, I have heard about GDPR at my workplace during data protection trainings, and now during my studies I have become more familiar with what this means.
More information: https://gdpr.eu/what-is-gdpr/
SELF-EVALUATION
By watching the videos and getting acquainted with written materials, as well as by reading the writings of others, I learned that digitalization gives a lot of opportunities to produce services quickly and easily. But it is good to remember that digitalization also involves risks, and it is important to protect your own data protection.
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