Tackling the digital divide in the EU and beyond

The European Year of Skills provides a unique opportunity to discuss in partnership how to make the twin transition – digital and green – a reality. The proliferation of advanced digital technologies, including generative artificial intelligence (AI), comes with concerns about how they will impact the world of work in Europe and beyond. While the issue of how many jobs will be destroyed by smart machines is prominent in academic and policy debates, there has been less focus on understanding the implications of technological innovation for skill mismatches and job quality.

Digitalisation has the potential to expand productivity and to allow workers to focus on more non-routine and rewarding job tasks. In contrast, some digital technology promotes work routinisation and could take over a substantial share of what has long been considered ‘human’ work. Understanding who are the winners and losers from new digital technology in labour markets is crucial for digital and skills policy and its implementation; all the more so as persistent digital divides across and within countries and between population groups can amplify socioeconomic inequalities.