Data affinity is the key to digital transformation
From mobility to health: how data affinity is driving the digital transformation – and why it is indispensable.
Data is the key to the future – whether for efficient mobility concepts, personalized education or medical progress. Nevertheless, ignorance and concerns are hindering its use, even though it could significantly increase innovation and quality of life.
Years ago, statements such as “data is the oil of the 21st century” already made a striking announcement about what has long since been beyond question: the right data strategy is crucial for digital transformation. Nevertheless, the broad data affinity required for this is still not present in many places.
The reason: people are aware of the possibilities of digital technologies, but not yet of the crucial role that data plays in them. It is still not really clear to many people – whether in companies, society or politics – that data, as a key resource in the digital age, must be found, provided and used even more actively and, above all, far more ambitiously. Instead, ignorance and (often unjustified) concerns are slowing down data collection and use.
As a result, ideas and opportunities are nipped in the bud. Yet there is plenty of evidence, even beyond the usual showcases of profitable data use, such as corporate production, of how high the added value can be for everyone. Some examples are:
Index
Mobility data as a guide for improvements
Business models such as autonomous driving, mobility software or mobility-as-a-service are inconceivable without mobility data. In times of diverse traffic problems, however, they could provide a remedy, provided that the necessary information can be collected and used comprehensively – for example, when it comes to relieving traffic congestion at hubs, the effective deployment of winter road maintenance services or the precise planning of public transport connections. But while buses, taxis and Uber are already making their data available, rail transport and sharing providers are not yet on board because the collection of data from them has not yet been regulated; a legal basis is pending.
Educational data as a trailblazer for the future
As digitalization advances, educational data can help to individualize learning processes and improve educational outcomes. They enable the tracking of learning progress, the identification of individual strengths and weaknesses, and the development of customized learning plans. By analyzing data from different educational institutions, best practices can also be identified and disseminated, leading to an overall improvement in the quality of education. The keyword here is success modeling – a principle that is still far too rarely practiced in the corporate environment, for example.
Health data as a recipe for medical progress
On a personal level, fitness trackers have long shown how useful the collection and use of health data can be. However, the discussion about how health data can be better used for research and care in accordance with data protection is still ongoing. Two major projects have recently gained momentum: the Health Data Usage Act (GDNG) and the European Health Data Space (EHDS).
The GDNG, which has now largely come into force, aims to make health data more easily usable for public welfare purposes. This includes linking pseudonymized data from electronic patient files, billing data from health insurance companies and information from the cancer registry. This data analysis should help to detect diseases earlier, individualize therapies and improve chances of recovery.
At the same time, the EHDS is a cornerstone of the European Health Union and marks the first common EU data space in a specific area, based on the EU data strategy. Earlier this year, the European Parliament and the Council reached a political agreement on the Commission’s proposal for the EHDS. The EHDS will enable the EU to fully exploit the potential of the secure exchange, use and reuse of health data to serve patients, researchers, innovators and regulators.
Data: concerns “out”, opportunities “in”
At the latest when data can contribute to better health, the motivation to seize opportunities should be greater than the concerns. The positive attitude towards data should encourage the pursuit of innovative solutions that can significantly improve well-being and quality of life. And the health topic can be metaphorically transferred wonderfully from here to other areas, such as the corporate world.
If companies are data-savvy, digital transformation processes can be driven forward ambitiously and consistently. Data enables companies to make informed decisions, optimize processes and develop new business models. This leads to greater efficiency, competitiveness and long-term success. This is because a data-driven company can also react more quickly to changes in the market and adapt to new circumstances. This makes them more resilient to economic fluctuations and better able to proactively prepare for future challenges. Only then are companies “healthy” and well-positioned for the future.
In addition, a data-driven corporate culture promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing within the organization. Employees can make better decisions and work more effectively with access to relevant data and analytics. This not only helps to increase productivity, but also contributes to employee satisfaction and motivation – a crucial aspect in times of a shortage of skilled workers.
Conclusion
An affinity for data is crucial for success in the digital age. The fact that, despite the well-known importance of data, there is still a lack of broad acceptance and use in many areas is a challenge that urgently needs to be overcome – in companies, society and politics.
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