Digital Opportunities: Creating the ConditionsDave HarteEconomic Development ManagerDigital Birminghamdave@daveharte.comhttp://daveharte.com@daveharte

What kind of strategy do we need to ‘create economic success’ from digital technologies?

Or:

Where’s all this stuff heading?

We know nothing about future technology use

Why understanding policy is important

Working across the digital divide

Internationally recognised for keeping it local

Summary, recommendations, next steps

We know nothing about future technology use…

McLuhan:

Technologies were invented for one purpose, but get used for another.

Shirky:

Cognitive surplus

“Here’s what 4 year olds know - a screen that ships without a mouse ships broken”

Cognitive Surplus

• is a market opportunity

• is where public service broadcasting is heading

• is something out of which we can build a new economic sector

• is sexy right now

• is about users rather than technology

“Someone working alone, with really cheap tools, has a reasonable hope of carving out enough of the cognitive surplus, enough of the desire to participate, enough of the collective goodwill of the citizens, to create a resource you couldn't have imagined existing even five years ago.” (Shirky)

Tim Berners-Lee

A digital opportunity:

Cognitive surplus + Raw Data =

new and exciting area of the digital economy

My raw data

The Policy Context

Creative BritainWe’re better than anyone else, well done.

Digital BritainLet’s get the plumbing right.

Ofcom PSB reviewPeople value quality. Public service broadcasting can be online.

The Policy Context

Power of InformationPower of Birmingham groupPublic sector meets active citizenshipPush to free up data

Transforming Public Service“4iP are hugely interested in investing in ‘good-for-you games’ that can change how we live and understand real world problems. But let's not get all serious, we want to invest in games that are fun that have an undertone of public serviceness” (Daniel Heaf – 4IP)

Digital Inclusion matters“Increased awareness would lead to more people engaging in digital participation. Building awareness of what it is possible to do quickly and easily online could encourage greater participation.”

(Ofcom Citizen Participation research)

Hacking the City

Timely Information for Citizens

Pilot project ‘Birmingham Open City’

National & International profile from getting it right locally

A new digital workforce

Knowledge workers are the region’s best resource

In SMEsIn public sectorNetworkedEmphasis on show and tell

Institutions need to follow their leadbuilds links between sectors

Summary

There’s a significant change happening in users – cognitive surplus – they are shaping the market.

National policy-makers want to see innovation in the public sector – the region can a centre for excellence in this.

Creating the conditions

What regional policy-makers could usefully focus on:Bringing the pipesBringing the people (users & workers)Supplying the cash points (investment & infrastructure)Brokering the links

What kind of strategy do we need to ‘create economic success’ from digital technologies?

1. One that sets out a road map for digital opportunities (the conditions)

2. That understands the role of failure

3. That admits there are lots of unknowns

4. That has the power to influence

5. That is dynamic and flexible

6. That we all own