Digital Dugnad - what does Norway's future look like?

Earlier this year, the book Digital Dugnad was published. The author, Silvija Seres, writes that 12 technologies can change the world as much as the art of printing. "Norway is going to be radically changed, in the 4th industrial revolution.

Several of us at Dekode have read the book, and we are eagerly awaiting the final chapters, which have not yet been written. We had a chat with Silvija Seres, the author of the book, about her views on the future of Norway and the background to the book. 

Digitalization, society and the future of Norway.

- You've written a book about digitalization, society and the future of Norway. Why should people read this book? 

- Because our society is being changed at record speed by technological forces. Technology is the new power factor, and people haven't understood how thoroughly it reshapes existing structures. It's always better to adapt than to be adapted," says Silvija Seres, a mathematician, technology investor and author. 

Silvija has a background in algorithm research at Oxford, development of the search engine Alta Vista in Silicon Valley, strategic management at Fast Search and Transfer, and service development at Microsoft. She now works as a board member in several large companies, including Ruter, Det Norske Veritas and NRK, and as an active investor in several technology companies.

Beta book and volunteering

- The book is not in an ordinary format - you call it a beta version and invited readers to provide feedback to write about Norway's future together. Why have you done it this way? 

- I first finished writing the conclusion, but then I thought it would be great to include more points of view, since the book talks about digital volunteering. So that's how the conclusion was written on a voluntary basis.

The book is divided into the following chapters: Introduction, Data and Democracy, Algorithms and Ethics, Regulation for Innovation, The New Jobs (and who will do what), Industrial Policy, Party Programs of the Future and finally Conclusion - How can Norway succeed with a digital effort? 

This final part has not yet been published, but Silvija is currently working on the feedback she received this summer.

- Have you received a lot of input? 

- Yes, around 50. Some in social media, some in emails, some on the book's website. Some have called the book "the most important reading of the fall", and now I hope to publish some of these comments in a final version just after the New Year.

The society of the future

- Based on your experience and the input you've received, how do you think our society will be affected by digitalization in the years to come? 

- I think we will have new ways of doing everything, from health to infrastructure and transportation, to education and security. Industry, energy, aquaculture, shipping, finance, everything. There will be new jobs and new industries, and new governance models.

- And which sectors will we see the biggest change in first?

- We've already seen major changes in the media industry, and now all the others are following suit, helped by corona, the great digitalization.

- You write that you want to write two new chapters based on the input you have received: One on new policies, and one with concrete advice for business and society in the Norway of the future. When will these be published - and where can you read them?

- They will arrive in January, and will be available in ebook and print format. Stay tuned to the website digitaldugnad.net, concludes Silvija. 

We at Dekode look forward to reading the new chapters!