THE benefits of technology remain “out of reach” for too many Scots, despite lockdown having increased engagement, it has been claimed.
Research has concluded there is a need for improved access throughout the UK to technology, both for developing new skills and for the public to have their say on how they are used in an ethical way.
A survey by innovation foundation Nesta and Mark Diffley Consultancy found issues of trust and unequal access remain, despite increased use.
Its findings show that while the coronavirus lockdown led to greater reliance on technology, three-quarters of people surveyed fear the impact it could have on the workforce, specifically the automation of jobs.
Fears were also raised over how society could become reliant on “contactless” technology, and a rise in faceless communications with loved ones. The research also highlighted that some technological developments, both in the workplace and wider society, are often seen as out of touch or elitist – especially for those from a lower income background.
However, the results of the survey showed that as people’s knowledge and understanding of technology increases, so does their positivity towards those technologies.
Adam Lang, head of Nesta in Scotland, said: “This research shows that while people in Scotland are engaging with and viewing technology in a new light as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown, for too many the benefits still seem out of reach and beyond their control.
“The technologies that are
driving the fourth industrial revolution are increasingly shaping many aspects of our personal and professional lives.
“That’s why it’s vital that we work to shift control and better engage the Scottish public, increasing the
provision of high-quality training and skills development and considering new ways for citizens to
shape and inform how these technologies are used in the delivery of public services.
“All of this must be done with a focus on driving trust through open, ethical and transparent processes.
“The social upheaval caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is a chance for Scotland to set out a bold ambition for a new digital enlightenment
that creates more opportunities for people to learn about and be
engaged in shaping a tech-driven
future that benefits us all as citizens more equally.”
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