Today the VNG Trend Report Information Society 2024 is published. This 4th edition focuses on the influence of digitization on the well-being of children and young people, language models and AI and algorithms. Furthermore, local administrators explain how they deal with digital opportunities and risks.
To the Information Society 2024 Trend Report (1).
European children are online an estimated 6 to 7.5 hours a day since the corona pandemic. The vast majority of that online lifestyle has been developed by commercial parties for whom profit is essential. What are the consequences of this? And what can policymakers do to eliminate or mitigate the negative consequences?
The trend report also focuses on other hot topics in the digital world: AI and algorithms. 'AI is not just another technology, but a systems technology that will fundamentally change society,' according to the Scientific Council for Government Policy. The media has already created the image that AI will replace all kinds of human work. But what is hype, what is likely and what will remain to be proven?
According to the trend report, AI may also lead to a power shift in society. Here, it is important to realize that AI always has an owner and is primarily deployed to serve its interests. 'The trick as a government is to direct it in such a way that AI serves the collective interests of society. And not just those of a small group of people.'
Digitalization is changing our society at a rapid pace. Direction on this from the public administration is necessary so that the information society develops in a socially responsible manner. That is why digitization belongs on the agenda of representatives of the people and the government. The trend report wants to contribute to this political and administrative attention and provide opportunities to anticipate new developments.
https://vng.nl/artikelen/trendrapport-informatiesamenleving-2024
