Kaufbeuren - What opportunities and risks does digitization bring with it? What about data protection? And how is digital change changing the way we inform, communicate and consume? These and other questions were examined in a discussion at the interactive event format Live.Art Digital, which took place last week in the Kaufbeurer Stadtsaal
“Digitization has long since affected not only classic IT companies, but also companies of all kinds, associations, municipalities and households. An event of this kind therefore appears to us to be very sensible and sustainable, ”says Alexander Uhrle, digital officer for the city of Kaufbeuren, who had the idea for the event. It was implemented by the marketing agency of owner Claus Tenambergen, who moderated the event. The focus was on the topics of digital citizen service and Smart City. “Smart City means making life in the city more progressive and worth living in,” explained Jürgen Wittek, head of the city's IT department, which has recently seen a significant increase in personnel. "Smart City encompasses our whole life: health and safety as well as mobility, the environment, the economy,Participation of citizens, education, creativity and a spirit of innovation, ”said Uhrle, explaining the potential and scope of digitization.
Interactive voting
In this way, the audience in the Stadtsaal was able to participate digitally and quickly vote via smartphone when it came to various surveys: When asked about their own digital competence, the visitors came to 6.7 out of ten points according to their own assessment.
Most of them saw a need to catch up, particularly in the areas of digitization in the areas of social affairs / education and citizen service / infrastructure.
Endeavor to provide digital citizen service
As far as the citizen service in Kaufbeuren is concerned, according to Wittek, a lot should happen in the near future: While the citizens are currently still dealing with many issues in the town hall, that should change by the end of 2022.
The city is working on gradually digitizing services.
For example, there should be online appointment reservations, in the course of which the citizen receives all relevant information on the matter.
In this way, for example, a new license plate could be ordered.
A popular function here is the desired license plate, according to Wittek.
Focus on people
In her video statement, Bavaria's Digital Minister Judith Gerlach emphasized the importance of digital participation for everyone. To do this, you have to awaken openness to innovations and a desire for the digital world. "I think it's great that something is moving in Kaufbeuren," said the digital minister. Digital tools should make life easier for users, VWEW managing director Stefan Fritz referred to the more intensive involvement of end users in the future. The customer has a large selection of communication channels, said Tobias Streifinger as CEO of the Stadtsparkasse. According to Streifinger, for example, online advice is often used. Personal advice is always in the foreground. Because "where the human issue is concerned, digitization stops", Streifinger emphasized the aspect of trust."Digitization creates space for relationships," said Bernd Ruppert, Director of AOK Kaufbeuren-Ostallgäu, emphasizing the human level. "Our door is always open to those who do not want to process everything via smartphone," assured Ruppert. "Good digitization does not replace, but complements", explained Uhrle: "Nobody should be left by the wayside."
Discussion about IT security
Inadequate broadband was also criticized by the panelists, as was the topic of IT security.
When it comes to digitization, IT security is the biggest construction site in Germany.
Jörn Steinhauer, head and founder of the Augsburg software developer Alphasystems, found the topic “far too little in people's consciousness”.
There are several million attacks a day on the Alphasystems data center alone, according to Steinhauer.
Uhrle also affirmed that IT security would have to be tackled much more strongly by companies.
The subject of fake news was also discussed.
The experts agreed that with the flood of news and in the face of buzz on social media, one should always question the truth.
