Digitization opens up a new chapter in our development. Digital infrastructures, products and services are changing business, science, society and politics. The technological changes associated with digitization currently include the use of information and communication technology in the manufacturing sector (Industry 4.0), the use of big data and artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things applications that are entering our everyday lives. Digitization is also changing the way in which we communicate, our social relationships, opportunities for us to participate and our working environment. Digitization is not a development that we only will have to face in the future. It is neither a technological niche issue nor a business issue that is solely relevant to major corporations. It is already part of our everyday lives. It affects us all, e.g. with 92% of Austrian mobile phone users owning a smartphone, 6% more than in 2015. This means that almost everyone is constantly carrying a key to the digital world.

The potential of digitization is enormous and wide-ranging: it can open up new opportunities for growth, work and prosperity, improve health care, be a driving force behind the turnaround in energy policy, facilitate equal opportunities and social participation, support government transparency and help to enhance our democracy.

At the same time, the digital revolution is confronting us with new challenges: the fear of constant monitoring and restrictions to our freedom are issues that must concern us just as much as protection from cybercrime and the ethics of artificial intelligence. One intensively debated topic is the fear that digitization is replacing human labour on a massive scale. This fear has always accompanied any kind of technological change. It is clear that technological developments are changing work processes and the work itself. First, activities are being replaced; second, new areas of activity that do not currently exist will constantly emerge. Modern working conditions, social security and focused training measures for employees are important factors for leveraging the potential of digitization for new high-quality jobs.

Digitization does not just mean having access to new technologies, but participating in the opportunities offered by a modern society. Digital applications are having an ever increasing impact on knowledge, the world of work and freedom. Everyone in Austria should be able to benefit from the opportunities of the digital world, regardless of origin, gender, age or social class. By ensuring that everyone can participate from a very early age, digital poverty can be prevented and a significant contribution made to combating poverty in future.

Digitization does not happen automatically. It is not a development that can only be marvelled at or simply awaited. To enable us to take advantage of the positive effects of digitization and avoid critical effects of this transformation process, appropriate political goals and priorities need to be set. Digitization needs to be shaped proactively in the interests and for the benefit of everyone. An obstructive approach or defensive behaviour towards digital change would only keep us on the international sidelines. The future cannot be stopped.

Digitization plays a major role in the development of our innovative strength. In the face of international competition, innovation is one of the most important insurance policies for the future of Europe and of Austria. The ambitious goal of the Austrian Federal Government to make our country an innovation leader in Europe is becoming increasingly important in light of digitization. Digitization offers key technologies for the development of economic and social innovations. Only as a competitive innovation leader can Austria maintain and develop its economic and social model and ensure equal opportunities and social security through innovative and efficient enterprises and high-quality jobs.

When shaping digitization in a positive way, key political tasks include the issues of data protection and cybersecurity, a modern legal framework for new business models, and the fair structuring of working conditions. Three areas form the essential foundation for successful digitization: develop an education system that prepares students for digital opportunities, provide a first-class digital infrastructure, and develop research and innovation policies that specifically promote Austria’s strengths.

Managing the digitization process successfully is also a question of social attitudes and values. Digitization requires joined-up thinking and action from us all. Just because something is technically possible does not mean that it is socially desirable. We must continue to decide on these issues. Ultimately, even in the digital age people must always take responsibility for decision-making. Digitization therefore needs convincing visions and a clear regulatory and social policy framework to implement these visions.

The democratization of knowledge, free communication and free access to information, open data, open innovation and open source are potentials for our digital society that strengthen growth, prosperity and opportunities for social participation and allow our society to develop in a positive way. Open and shared knowledge will contribute to more fact-based public discussions and deliberations, becoming an important element of a new kind of awareness-raising. Personal interaction and the discussion culture in the digital world require formal and informal rules, individual responsibility and civic courage.

The aim is for our country to play a leading role in shaping digitization as an innovation leader. Only then can we ensure that everyone in Austria can benefit from the advantages of digitization.

• In 2025, entrepreneurs will be the driving force behind a digital economy that generates new success stories and growth for Austria as a business location through new value chains and business models. Austrian businesses – from small SMEs to big leading enterprises – have made a name for themselves on the international market with their digital products and services based on successful research and innovation. It is worth investing in new technologies in Austria.
• In 2025, employees will benefit from a high level of employment and high-quality jobs in the digital business and working world. Continuous and flexible professional development will safeguard individuals’ employability and job satisfaction. Thanks to a first-class broadband infrastructure that enables employees to work from anywhere, the whole country will benefit from a digital job revolution.
• In 2025, young people will benefit from an equal opportunities education and training system that prepares them for the opportunities and challenges of a digital world. A modern curriculum, innovative forms of teaching and digital learning platforms will ensure that educational institutions – from nurseries and schools to universities – impart values, knowledge and skills that support personal development and employability.
• In 2025, citizens will experience new mobility concepts that offer convenience and a high degree of safety through intensive linking of private and public transport. Everyone will be able to find the quickest, cheapest and most environmentally friendly way of reaching their destination using a smartphone. Networked cars will warn us of potential dangers such as accidents, roadworks or black ice. Traffic jams will be a thing of the past.
• In 2025, the Internet will be a place of free knowledge and communication. Thanks to a culture of digital civic courage, an enlightened information culture and deep-rooted media literacy, hate posts and hoaxes will be a thing of the past. The positive aspects of unlimited opportunities to communicate, learn and develop globally will outweigh any negative aspects or fear campaigns.
• In 2025, the population will benefit from a reduction in the use of energy and resources. This will decrease personal energy costs and support the turnaround in energy policy to protect the climate. Smart technologies and applications will increase energy efficiency and reduce our dependence on energy from other countries.
• In 2025, patients will benefit from a health care system that makes first-class medical care and nursing available and affordable to all. The use of digital tools will support patients’ own health literacy, thus enabling them to enjoy better health. Personalized medicines and treatments will ensure that patients recover as quickly as possible.
• In 2025, citizens and businesses will benefit from an effective public administration system that is an efficient service provider, is itself an innovator and also supports innovation drivers. Digital communication will dramatically reduce the administrative burden and time-consuming bureaucracy. Citizens will receive customized service from government institutions. The state will become the digital partner of the citizens. Digitization will also enable people to become more involved in active citizenship and democratic decision-making processes.

To allow these visions – which are given as examples – to become reality, Austria must focus its political efforts on shaping digitization and driving it forward with lighthouse projects. The Digital Roadmap provides the strategic framework for it to do so.

Digitization is a cross-cutting political issue. In many fields and at various levels (e.g. government departments, regional authorities, unions and employers’ associations, NGOs, business), strategies already exist that cover particular aspects of digitization and identify specific measures to be taken in order to support and manage the digital transformation. We now need a coordinated approach bringing together politics, administration, unions and employers’ associations, business, science and research and also involving civil society. The Federal Government’s Digital Roadmap is the foundation on which all further coordinated activities can be built.