Commentary
The climate crisis is a governance crisis
Governance must evolve to effectively tackle the climate crisis. Current systems, rooted in the industrial era, are inadequate for addressing the scale of transformation required. Empowering individuals, ensuring coherence in climate action, and delivering meaningful policies are essential. Additionally, global collaboration and systemic change are critical for achieving sustainable solutions and addressing the climate emergency.
Read MoreThe EU must develop new policies for the data economy
The European Union’s focus on digitalization Digitalization, continuously in progress, transforms the very fundamental structures of our economies and societies. On September 15, 2021, the European Commission published its State of the Union and, along with it, a Path to the Digital Decade. The EU wants “to be digitally…
Read MorePolicies against algorithmic discrimination still lacking
The deployment of AI systems in the public sector is still in its infancy, but algorithmic discrimination has been identified as a growing risk. The first findings of research project ‘Avoiding AI Biases‘ show that tools to assess and address discrimination are still lacking. The challenge: Algorithmic discrimination threatens fundamental…
Read MoreTowards systemic innovation: how foresight can help organizations transform
Across private and public sectors, key industries such as food production, energy, transportation, communication and materials, all face a series of significant challenges. The sustainability gap is vast, as a result of what we call transformative failure. The solution is transformations that are not only economically viable but also consider…
Read MoreDLT in public sector: Moving from transparency to accountability
Decentralized Ledger Technologies (DLT) hold a tentative promise for positive public sector transformation. They could improve capabilities to deliver services and answer societal challenges, and thus, increase societal trust. To turn promise into reality, Demos Helsinki is contributing to an EU-funded project called TOKEN. How can Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs)…
Read MoreA humble approach
Our mission is to imagine and co-create a vision and a reality for the next era. We exist to help bring about the transformative change that recognizes today’s and tomorrow’s challenges and crises and imagines new paths forward that are fair, sustainable, and joyful. Our time requires a…
Read MoreThe future does not exist
The world is full of chance, chaos, and things we don’t have a tested solution for. As such, companies try to eliminate uncertainty by either using data to predict trends or employing complex forecasting methods. Yet, neither of these models has any relevance unless we devote some time to thinking…
Read MoreWe need less data, more conversation
When trying to measure and predict human behavior, data must be enriched with ideas and emotions. The case of COVID-19 showed the limits of quantitative methods, as expert echo chambers were unable to translate the data into conversations that could ultimately lead to action. By Angeliki Vourdaki
Read MoreFour blockchain experiments to transform the public sector
Blockchain-based currencies were designed to be independent of public monetary institutions or states. Meanwhile, public organizations are investing a lot in utilizing blockchain-based technologies. Distributed ledger technology (DLT) is believed to have the potential to allow public services to improve effectiveness, reduce friction between agencies, reduce bureaucratic barriers, boost public engagement,…
Read MoreRethinking the social contract in the post-pandemic world
What tensions shake the foundations of our social contract, and how do we renew it? The Covid-19 crisis has revealed the desire, need, and capacity for change in the general public and governments. In the past, the social contract has allowed us to translate tensions into opportunities around which we…
Read MoreAI governance to avoid bias and discrimination
Artificial intelligence (AI) can enable great societal benefits by allowing for more efficient and personalized services. Indeed, automated decision-making systems based on machine learning algorithms are increasingly utilized in essential public or private services like recruitment, education, finance, health care, advertising, and policing. However, this can also give rise to…
Read MoreFinnish education system: a success story rooted in humility
The Finnish education system is widely acknowledged as one of the best in the world. It has been studied and celebrated by filmmakers, journalists, researchers, educators, and policymakers. Finnish students have been front-runners in every PISA test since 2000. Ninety-three per cent of Finns graduate from university or At the…
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