The Role of Automation in Modernising and Digitalising Public Services

Technological innovation is widely recognised as a critical driver of economic growth. In the post-pandemic recovery, the role of technology grows even further: building a more sustainable and resilient future.The purpose of the `Automation for sustainable and durable growth` whitepaper is to explore opportunities for how automation can be leveraged to help advance the ambitions of the Digital Decade while paving a new path toward a more resilient and sustainable economy.While Europe’s recovery is deeply linked to macroeconomic policies and reforms, there is consensus on the critical role of digital technologies and the need to foster green growth. The European Union’s (EU) plans to harness the opportunities brought by digital transformation are commonly referred to as Europe’s “digital transition.” Strategic documents such as the Digital Decade Communication and the subsequent Path to the Digital Decade Decision proposal articulate the EU’s vision and commitments for the following years.At the core of the EU’s financial recovery plan stays the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) requires Member States' governments to allocate at least 20% of the budget towards digital investments that would enhance a smooth digital transition. Nonetheless, these changes will affect the future of work and therefore the competencies needed by young people, digital and ESG, to enter the labour market and be competitive.Encouraging the development and use of digital technologies will help us improve the management of health crises, increase the resilience of governments, and tackle global challenges, such as climate change and inequality.This offers support in understanding the megatrend of automation, its opportunities and it guides the reader into identifying concrete steps to develop the community we are part of