Democratization of technology creates a new era in which companies can help solve society’s greatest challenges. The democratization of technology is no longer a thing of the future. It’s happening now, and it will continue to accelerate.
Accenture’s 2021 Technology Vision report reveals that technology is essential for economic growth, job creation, and productivity. Thanks to improved access and affordability, we are on the cusp of a major acceleration in its democratization through technologies like cloud computing, smartphones, and big data analytics.
Democratized IT Can Turn Employees into Change-Makers
When you democratize technology within an organization and make it available for everyday use instead of just for the few in IT who have traditionally controlled it, everyone benefits. It creates more of a sense of equality between employees. They have access to the same information and resources as their managers, allowing them to take on more responsibility and feel more valued as a team member.
Watch the recording of our webinar "2022 Emerging Trends Edition", where an international panel of speakers covers some of the most important developments, innovations and trends in technology in 2022.
Free Technology Can Help Seal the Skills Gap in Industries
As industries across the globe continue to adapt to a globalized economy, the demand for skilled labor continues to grow. Thankfully, there are a few trends that are helping bridge the skills gap. One of the most notable and impactful is democratized technology. The trend has provided employers with access to talent without going to a third-party recruiting firm or spending thousands on traditional advertising like job boards or newspapers. This practice allows smaller businesses, startups, and even established firms to find talented candidates without the high recruitment costs.
Democratizing technology gives smaller companies access to great talent who may not have considered working at their companies before. We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of people willing to work for a startup. It’s no longer just Google or Facebook that can provide you with an exciting career.
Democratized Technology Can Help with Grassroots Energy Transition and Sustainability
A wave of innovative technologies is democratizing clean energy generation and distribution. These technologies are creating new opportunities for individuals and communities to participate in the energy transition and contribute to the sustainability of our planet.
Innovative business models such as community-supported energy, microgrids, and solar leasing give people greater control over their energy use, allowing them to generate their own power and choose their own sources. Community-owned wind farms and solar installations give local communities a bigger say in their energy future.
Affordable, accessible technology is helping people to better understand the role that energy plays in our lives. Creating new opportunities for civic engagement also empowers us to take action on climate change collectively.
Perhaps most importantly, these developments are opening up opportunities for economic development in regions that the traditional energy system has left behind. From Germany to South Africa and the United States, one thing is clear: democratization of technology can help with grassroots energy transition and sustainability.
Equipping People with Technology Makes Them Problem Solvers
The basic idea behind the democratization trend is to empower people to solve problems. For example, 3D printers enable people to create replacement parts for machines that were otherwise thrown away. The internet and open-source software would allow people to learn about any topic and ask questions.
We’re witnessing a historic shift in the way we work, live and play – driven by an explosion of data and connected devices. This inspires a new world of makers who are using low-cost sensors and cheap computing to build solutions that improve their lives and the world around them.
The best thing about this is that it’s not a top-down process. It’s bottom-up, driven from the ground up.
However, makers are not always looking for answers. They are often trying to figure out an interesting problem to solve and use technology as a tool. This is a different mindset than “I want to learn how to do X,” which is a more common question in schools.
Democratized IT can turn employees into change-makers, case study: Google allows workers to use tools not supported by the company.
Employees have the power to make a significant impact on their organizations — if they have the tools to do it. In many cases, employees are aware of emerging technologies that could benefit their organizations but don’t have permission to move ahead with them.
The democratization of IT tools can unlock this untapped potential. By permitting employees to use any tool that can help them be more productive and serve customers better, companies can empower employees to drive change within the organization.
In a Nutshell
In an era when tech has evolved to be incredibly accessible and incredibly complex, democratizing technology is more critical than ever. The democratization of technology is more than just the ability for anybody to have access to information and the knowledge needed to use it. It is about helping people to become aware of the vast potential that lies ahead — and equipping them with the tools they need to get there.