The impact of digitalisation is radically changing our society, creating both opportunities and risks. Today, 300 professionals with backgrounds in science, the business world and the government discussed this during the second edition of the Digital Society Conference at Media Plaza Utrecht. One recurring matter was the challenge of involving all of society in the digital changes, as well as creating and maintaining an inclusive society. The conference concluded with a pledge to contribute €135,000 to projects that tackle urgent challenges related to digitalisation.
Inclusion and participation are important themes
This edition of the Digital Society Conference was all about inclusion and participation. Sally Wyatt, scientist at Maastricht University: ‘The impact of digitalisation is radically changing our society, creating both opportunities and risks. A rich country like the Netherlands is no exception regarding the fact that people can become excluded due to the constant technological developments.’ The data and algorithms used in artificial intelligence were also widely discussed. ‘The way in which artificial intelligence influences society depends on our ability to invest it with human values and diversity’, according to keynote speaker Sennay Ghebreab, a scientist working at the University of Amsterdam.
€45,000 for promising projects
In order to address the challenges and urgent issues related to the digital society, a major sum has been made available by the organisations Digital Society and Commit/. To conclude the Digital Society Conference, they called upon businesses, social institutions, government bodies and scientists to submit ideas. The three most promising projects are rewarded with €45,000 and will have the opportunity to present their results next year at the third edition of the Digital Society Conference. Initiatives can be submitted until 20 December.
Further information: www.thedigitalsociety.info/teamscience.
In this e-zine, you can read everything about the conference.
