Growing up in the 1980s allowed me a gradual immersion into the digital world, from early computer lessons in school to witnessing the transition from bulky cell phones to today’s compact smartphones and widespread internet use. This incremental change seemed more manageable for my generation, contrasting starkly with today’s rapid technological advancements that often leave segments of the population, like the elderly and marginalized, struggling to keep up. The swift pace of innovation challenges not only our cognitive abilities but also poses threats to mental health as we constantly adapt to new information while being pulled in multiple directions.
Alongside these personal experiences, the broader risks of an open digital society cannot be overlooked. Issues like data breaches, identity theft, uncontrolled data proliferation, and commercial exploitation of data raise significant privacy concerns. The growing responsibility of individuals to safeguard their own cyber security, in the absence of sufficient technical knowledge, further compounds these risks. The intentional spread of disinformation and opinion manipulation, particularly through troll factories, undermines the integrity of public discourse. Automated profiling of individuals, unregulated applications of AI and machine learning, along with phenomena like the ‘Internet Fuckwad Theory’ in social media, all contribute to a digital landscape fraught with ethical dilemmas and societal challenges.
Reflecting on these observations, it becomes clear that the digital era, while offering unprecedented opportunities for connectivity and innovation, also demands a concerted effort towards responsible and ethical management. Recognizing and addressing the multifaceted risks of digitalization is crucial for ensuring that its benefits can be enjoyed equitably, without compromising the privacy, security, and well-being of individuals and society at large.
Digitalization, once heralded as a beacon of progress and connectivity, now looms as a potentially existential threat to humanity. The swift evolution of technology, which has outpaced our ability to adapt or fully comprehend its implications, poses profound risks. As we delve deeper into this digital era, the dangers become increasingly apparent and potentially catastrophic.
Digitalisation in healthcare sector
Digitalization brings a lot of relief to the growing shortage of workers and resources in the healthcare sector. It also enables better multi-professional collaboration, expands services, and introduces new tools and assessment instruments. However, at the same time, it likely increases inequality, people’s loneliness, and the prevalence of mental health disorders, as well as diminishes people’s interpersonal skills and their ability to be present. With digitalization, many jobs and professions will disappear, but simultaneously, entirely new fields and professions will emerge. Nonetheless, unemployment is likely to rise globally as low-wage jobs are phased out.
Evaluate the risks of open digital society
Positive impacts:
- People can limit the processing of their data.
- People can find out where their data is being processed, for what purpose, and request the deletion of their data.
- People can hold providers more accountable for neglecting the protection of their personal data.
- Overall, tightening data protection improves society’s preparedness and response capability in matters related to cybersecurity. Cybersecurity resilience increases.
- Consumers have the support of a clear authority, which in turn cares for and assists consumers in the realization of their digital rights.
Negative impacts:
- Compliance with data protection regulations means higher prices for consumers in digital services. This increases costs.
- Data controllers must think more carefully and document where personal data is sold or shared, as the consumer always has the right to be “forgotten”.
- From the perspective of creating new business and implementing technical solutions and technologies, ensuring data protection compliance complicates things, adding complexity and considerations to all new business ventures. Costs and projects increase.
Ghat GPT
I have done my thesis on the development of workplace well-being, which is why I asked ChatGPT two questions related to workplace well-being: what does workplace well-being mean and what are the most important measures in developing workplace well-being? I received detailed and precise answers, which were very similar to the theoretical part of my thesis. The answers were also short and to the point, excellently summarizing the key issues in a concise form. I think ChatGPT is an excellent tool for quick information retrieval or for a superficial understanding of matters. I also believe that it could be effectively used as a tool for problem-solving and for considering different perspectives. However, I don’t think it should be used as a tool for deep learning, application of knowledge, and comprehensive understanding of subjects. All the images in this blog have been created using ChatGPT.
Evaluation
I learned that I should approach digitalization’s possibilities with a more open and positive attitude. Everything has two sides, and nothing is entirely black and white, or just good or bad. Fundamentally, I always tend to view things from the perspective of potential threats and risks. Digitalization brings a lot of good, a vast array of different opportunities, and various perspectives to consider things.
