Digitalization in Work

I work in the natural resources sector and on a farm, where one must already be a multi-skilled worker. Digitalization has also reached this field, but I must say that many tasks are still done on paper, and not everything has been modernized. There is a clear distinction between official matters and everyday tasks in terms of digitalization. Almost everything in dairy farming has been transferred to a digital format or at least given a digital option, such as recording heat cycles. However, when it comes to official matters, a lot is still done on paper. There are also many situations where digitalization is combined or gradually added to processes. For example, an application may be submitted electronically, but since the system’s digital transition is still incomplete, some steps still require manual actions, like signing a physical document before scanning and uploading it into the system—despite the availability of various electronic signature methods.

Digitalization indeed makes daily life easier, allowing work to be done from almost anywhere, across all industries, even on farms. Information is accessible electronically, and processes can be managed remotely. Additionally, it helps conserve natural resources by reducing the need for paper and printing, which can be substantial in farm management. A modern farm is often associated with a milking robot, and the technology behind these systems has advanced significantly. A vast amount of data is collected, stored, and utilized digitally. The machines also analyze data independently and provide suggestions based on their assessments. However, the final decision still rests with the user, which is reassuring. The transfer of information from farm equipment to authorities has also become easier thanks to digitalization. Progress has been rapid and significant—some processes that once required creating and sending multiple files have been reduced to the press of a single button.

Reflecting on digitalization in my work, I would highlight the introduction of a production management system that replaces multiple standalone digital tools by integrating them into a single platform. This service provides versatile access to information everywhere and significantly simplifies work tasks. However, since this innovation has become part of my daily routine, I could also imagine working without it. I don’t necessarily see it as a groundbreaking digital advancement, the way card readers and digital payments transformed retail. There is so much to discuss and compare regarding my work, but keeping this reflection concise is challenging.

In the future, I hope we maintain a balanced approach to digitalization because too much control in non-human hands can be problematic. Processes can be streamlined and improved, as long as we don’t push for excessive automation. The idea of a milking robot’s system autonomously deciding which animals should be sold would be unsettling. At the same time, I wouldn’t want to return to the past, as handling tasks via a phone is much more convenient than making unnecessary trips, like going to a bank just to pay a bill.

I also wonder about the security of electronic storage—how reliable is it in keeping information safe, and what does it require? In the past, paper documents were stored in a physical location, such as an archive, which did not necessarily incur extra costs if it was part of existing business premises. However, paper and binders did have a cost. Today, cloud storage typically incurs fees for businesses because of the large amount of data, and free storage space is limited. While it does eliminate the need for physical storage materials, the cost factor remains.

The Digital Society

Cybersecurity and data protection are crucial in a digitalized society. Information is processed, shared, and utilized in nearly every aspect of life, and not all of it is positive. Regulations, restrictions, and obligations have increased, and while some may see them as obstacles or unnecessary, I consider them important. Transparency about what data is being processed, why, and when has become a routine matter. At least in the sense that receiving or hearing about data processing notifications is no longer surprising or noteworthy. But should it be? How securely is data actually handled in a digital society? While companies disclose that they process data and explain why, how well is it truly protected? This question came to mind while working on this task. Even small lapses in security can have major consequences.

Various organizations and entities request sensitive personal data via email, such as social security numbers, but is it safe to send this information? Encrypted communication is rarely used, and how many people actually enable encryption features in their web browsers when handling sensitive matters? The digital society offers numerous services, but I find myself wondering: Are they truly safe, or is it just a matter of luck if someone decides to exploit vulnerabilities? Society and the world are changing, and people do not always change for the better. It is essential to protect one’s personal information amid the shift toward digitalization.

ChatGPT

I asked a variety of questions related to my field and received logical answers. Since my industry requires diverse skills, as mentioned earlier, there are many different types of questions one could ask. However, I noticed that regardless of how I phrased the question, the response always followed the same structured format—a technically sound but general answer. As a tool, it is undoubtedly useful, especially for simple or general inquiries. Personally, I would use it as a substitute for Google at work. For example, when I asked how to treat a particular cattle ailment, ChatGPT provided a basic response that would be helpful for a novice in the field. However, for someone more experienced, the answer might not add much value.

Self-Assessment

Before starting this course, I believed I had good digital skills, and I don’t think I was far off. As the course progressed—especially while working on this assignment—I realized my skills are indeed strong. I had already been attentive to security and usability issues, but their importance has become even clearer through these tasks. I have analyzed these topics from multiple perspectives and grown more confident in my opinions about digitalization. Throughout this course, I have also learned to utilize different digital services and tools more effectively. Overall, I believe I have improved and gained new knowledge, even though I was already at a good level regarding digitalization.

Since I work in a field that requires a wide range of skills, digitalization is just one part of my daily tasks. While working on this assignment, I felt that if my job were more specialized, I could have reflected even more deeply on digitalization in my role. However, since my job consists of many small tasks that are part of a larger whole, digitalization does not feel as massive as, for example, the introduction of delivery robots in the food industry, which can replace entire job roles. In agriculture, the introduction of milking robots is a somewhat comparable innovation, but these robots do not operate autonomously with the animals—human intervention is still required. So, it’s not quite the same situation. I could have explored digitalization in my work in a more detailed and comprehensive manner, but I find it challenging due to the diverse nature of my tasks.

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