As a closely networked and highly technologized global location, the digital transformation of the German economy offers great opportunities. By setting the right course, SMEs and corporations can not only secure their leading global positions in a number of areas such as mechanical engineering, industry-related services and logistics, but also expand them even further. Start-ups can open up new markets worldwide with innovative business models. There is also enormous digital growth potential in the skilled trades and the entire service sector.
Higher productivity and growth create new jobs. Contrary to widespread myths and much-cited horror forecasts of widespread automation and mass job losses, we must not shy away from looking ahead. It is true that individual job profiles and activities will disappear. At the same time, however, numerous new ones will emerge and existing job profiles will continue to develop. This will not happen overnight. Rather, digitalization is a transformative process. Job requirements will continue to change. Education and training are therefore the key to creating participation in the digitalized world of work.
This has many advantages for employees: Technological advances mean that more and more people can work remotely and organize their work more flexibly for a better work-life balance and compatibility of family and career. Intelligent assistance systems (such as software applications, smart glasses, human-machine collaboration) make it easier for older employees to work and improve the integration of people with disabilities. Less qualified employees can also be supported in more complex tasks with the help of intelligent systems.