it has already transformed organisations and businesses
– public as well as private. Now, we see how big data,
artificial intelligence and the internet of things are evolving
rapidly. In Denmark, the government will not sit back and
watch the future of technology pass by but rather engage
with the digital opportunities. For that reason, the Danish
government has established a partnership between the
public and private sectors called Digital Hub Denmark. The
partnership must investigate activities to support business’
access to specialist expertise and facilitate opportunities for
cooperation on the development of new business models
between larger companies, start-ups and universities. With
the partnership, the government aims to make Denmark one
of the main European tech-hubs within artificial intelligence,
internet of things and big data. The Danish government
has set out to strengthen research in digital technologies
by creating a new National Centre for Research in Digital
generations. Several IT educations have been established
in addition to an added focus on general digital skills in
many educations. Meanwhile, as the businesses’ demands
for technical skills are growing, so is the need for a larger
focus from the Danish government. Therefore, the Danish
government has launched a few initiatives for meeting
the demands in the trade and industry sector including a
digital strategy for higher education, an action plan for more
graduates from higher education, STEM educations and
greater use of satellite-based data in higher education.
Nevertheless, the IT skills are not only being developed in
higher educations. The Danish government has also made
it a priority to increase understanding of technology and
digitisation in primary and secondary level education. As a
result, an optional subject in technological understanding
has been introduced in primary and lower secondary
In 2017, Denmark appointed the world’s fi rst Tech Ambassador, Casper
Klynge. The ambassador is stationed in Silicon Valley and is testament to
the Government’s focus on making sure that Denmark keeps up with the
fast changing, global technology landscape. Casper Klynge made his fi rst
visit to India in November 2018 and held meetings with tech companies and
government agencies. The point of his visit was to gain an understanding
of the technological competencies and drivers in India as well as India’s
importance as the world’s key back offi ce.
Technologies and working towards attracting international
conferences and knowledge of new technology.
Digital skills for all
With the digital development, the skills needed within the
Danish society and businesses are changing. In Denmark, it
is of high priority to the government, that the skills needed
among citizens and companies are provided - digital skills
are the key to Denmark’s digital future.
Therefore, Danish citizens must become active actors
in creating the digital future. They must learn how to
understand, develop and analyse IT, so they will not only
participate in the digital society, but will help build its future.
The Danish government has already taken several important
steps towards strengthening the IT skills of future
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education, and the subject ‘computer science’ has been
introduced as optional in the upper secondary education.
The government has initiated a four-year test program
to try various models for improving the technological
understanding in schools. The initiatives are based on the
basic assumption that citizens must be able to participate
and influence the processes that affect their life. In order
to participate in the digital society, it is necessary for the
Danish citizens to have a basic technical understanding
from an early stage in their life.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that Denmark is the highest-
ranking Nordic Country and the second-best country in the
world for attracting and retaining talent according to the
IMD World Talent Report 2017.