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Human beings and the public sector – Final thoughts


In light of the rapidly accelerating development of digitalisation itself, as well as the rise of generative AI, human-centredness has gained renewed relevance and widespread attention. This is evident not only in leading intergovernmental organisations but also in academic research. When adopting a human-centric perspective, we are confronted with significant questions facing society. Ultimately, it concerns how we need to safeguard and ensure that individuals have the right conditions to exercise their rights and responsibilities in a digital world. Or, how we should adapt and develop digital public administration based on our varying interests and social circumstances.
In this context, key issues emerge, particularly regarding the importance of digital inclusion and whose perspectives should determine how digitalisation is shaped. Several important questions arise concerning access to, and the dissemination of, people's data, particularly in relation to different life events, and how data can and should be managed in the future. Finally, this also includes broader issues concerning digital competence, both in terms of professional skills and general knowledge, as well as the ability to navigate and act within a digital society.

Questions for further discussion

During the course of the work, the following thoughts and questions have arisen that we believe need further discussion, based on how the concept of human-centredness has been presented in this report:
How can a human-centric approach be justified from a political perspective? To what extent should public opinion and expressed needs influence work within the three dimensions of human-centredness?
Is it more important to immediately implement practical solutions for users, or should we first consider and explore potential solutions? One alternative is to “think slowly – and then act fast.” How and when should we balance these different approaches?
How can we achieve the greatest possible benefit? Where in the process should human-centric initiatives be prioritised? Should we start with a cost-benefit analysis that primarily considers the number of transactions to achieve maximum savings and efficiency? Or should we identify needs and priorities based on other values, such as empathy? Should we begin where poverty and exclusion are most pronounced, or where strong but perhaps unspoken needs exist? Should we work with emotions and ideas as a basis for prioritisation?
Many aspects of human-centredness require an active, participatory, and practical approach from public administration. What kind of culture of collaboration and attitude is needed from decision-makers and public officials to initiate and work with human-centredness?
How can – or should – public administration build capacity and be given the means to create services we do not yet know we need? Should the public sector even engage in such innovation work at all? Is there a risk of trying to personalise too much? Isn’t the most important thing what we aim to achieve for society, democracy, people, and businesses, rather than innovation or transformation in itself? How can we achieve this while society, industry, technology, and people's needs and desires change rapidly?
Whose perspective should decide how digitalisation is shaped?