Issue Key point: digital divide and illiteracy as a question of social cohesion

Summary

Among the key points of its technology megatrend, the Megatrends 2040 report identifies the digital divide and digital illiteracy as crucial to social cohesion. Hyperconnectivity spreads rapidly through smart homes, big data, augmented and virtual reality, machine learning and blockchain, changing how people live and think. Technology evolving at an exponential pace also reshapes educational needs and social structures. The report stresses that attracting investment requires a workforce with technological skills. It links the democratisation of science to open science, citizen participation and the wide dissemination of research results.