ABSTRACT
The book started with the question of whether the disruptive potential of digitalization can help to overcome major sustainability challenges of our time. The analyses show that there is no straightforward answer to that question. The societal mega-trend of digitalization will not, in and of itself, solve any of the major challenges facing society. On the contrary, although digitalization does indeed create new opportunities, there is a risk that under current economic and political conditions it will exacerbate many problems facing society. The book therefore argues that digitalization needs to be actively redirected and shaped – by political, civil society and end user engagement – to help solve social and environmental problems. This, however, requires time. Instead of pushing for even more rapid and disruptive digitalization, this book argues for soft digitalization. The questions “What kind of digitalization do we want?” and “What do we want to use digital tools for?” should inform every discussion of this topic. Such soft digitalization that is more careful and targeted has the potential to be a constructive force in the decades to come.
