6.1 Impact of digital technologies

6.1.1 Understand how the increased reliance on digital systems impacts on:

• organisational culture:

o changes in communication methods (face to face, email, video calls)

o increased productivity and availability expectations

o increase in staff monitoring o new working practices (remote/hybrid/in-office working)

o automation of services including the use of artificial intelligence (AI)

society:

o loss of jobs

o shift in skill requirements

o reduction in human decision making and loss of empathy

o privacy (digital footprint, surveillance)

o changing behaviours (loss of social skills, digital identity)

o access to wider social networks (personal and professional)

o access to online services (government, commercial and entertainment)

o potential isolation (lack of skill, equipment, connectivity, resistance to change)

o improved access to information (professional and personal)

o increased use of AI, including generative AI (textual, graphical, video and audio)

o globalisation: – access to global media sources.

6.1.2 Understand the importance of digital inclusion:

• ensuring fair access to digital services:

o suitable technologies (hardware and software)

o connectivity

o conforming to codes of best practice

o public sector bodies’ website and mobile applications accessibility regulations:

– key features and purpose.

Understand how end user characteristics affect the use of and inclusivity of digital systems:

• age

• skills:

o digital

o literacy

• internal/external audience: 

• cultural issues, including bias in digital systems

• additional needs:

o accessibility issues.

6.1.4 Know and understand the benefits of professional development:

• increased industry and sector competence

• increased employability potential and employment security

• achieving access to knowledge of and adherence to industry standards.

6.2 Emerging technologies

6.2.1 Understand how developments in technologies impact on organisations, individuals and society:

• storage media:

o increased demand for storage

• processing technologies:

o quantum computing

• internet of things:

o edge computing

o network utilisation

o use within different contexts (industrial, smart city, domestic)

• artificial intelligence:

o generative AI

o machine learning

• extended reality:

o augmented reality

o virtual reality

• open source software

• blockchain

• 3D printing

• drones

• environmental:

o consumption of rare metals

o energy to produce electronic systems

o environmental impact of disposal

• autonomous machines:

o self-driving cars

o robotic assembly lines

6.2.2 Understand the interrelationships between digital and emerging technologies and make judgements about their impacts on organisations, society and individuals in digital support and security.