People, technology, and education: looking towards the future

2020 has seen profound change in all parts of our lives and has highlighted the importance of connectivity and its role as a true backbone of society. Since March of last year, digitalization has advanced in what would have taken five years under normal conditions.

For the first time in modern history, an entire generation around the world has been barred from the classroom. Connectivity and digital tools have enabled many students to continue their education and training from home. However, not all were so fortunate. For the most disadvantaged, the digital divide has also become an educational divide, and this is one of the main challenges we face.

Despite the efforts of institutions and companies, 500 million children and young people were excluded from education. Although, in theory, 100% of the world's population enjoys broadband coverage, just over 50% are actually able to access the Internet. Aside from the availability of the necessary devices, the lack of digital skills is a huge barrier.

We need to harness the potential partnership technology and education bring to put an end to inequality and lay the foundations for sustained economic growth and an inclusive and fair society. Thanks to education, the children, and young people of today will have the tools to build that future for everyone.

Educational models evolve rapidly, driven by new technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual and augmented reality. Video is the preferred channel and has been growing exponentially. Our smartphones, with us 24/7, foster micro-learning, i.e., learning in small doses at any time and at any place. We are living in the “Golden Age of Learning”.

The new "lingua franca" is digital. It is essential to master digital skills so as not to be left behind. Indeed, most children attending primary school today will work in professions that do not yet exist and that we cannot even imagine. What we do know is that we will need professionals trained in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). Aside from engineers, technologists, and scientists, we will also depend on digital lawyers, digital economists, and digital philosophers because humanity will still need to find its way amidst the pervasive and wide-ranging changes coming in the wake of technology.

People will need training to meet the new job descriptions that the market will demand. More than three-quarters of job openings require vocational training or technical degrees, an indicator that these skills are key. In just two years, more than half of today's professionals will require significant upskilling. Lifelong learning has become commonplace.

Companies have the responsibility to encourage and help their workers to adapt and update their skills. It is important to understand what skills will be needed and to provide the right tools to promote them and make it easier for employees to take responsibility for their own development and growth. One must never forget that a company is the sum of its people.

Although we still have a long way to go, we have already been looking to the future. We used to believe that the digitization of the educational system was important; now we know that it is both vital and urgent. We are in the midst of a major digital transformation that must permeate all areas of life, especially education.

As a society, we have the great opportunity to define new rules (including those that govern education) that will enable us to evolve towards an educational model in synch with today’s challenges. A new model providing opportunities to individuals and promoting progress throughout societies. This will only be possible through teamwork.

We thought digital education was the future, now we know that it is already the present.