Digitalization at the service of society

Until now the discourse on digitalization has often focused on the attendant dangers and technology, a situation the Bertelsmann Stiftung would like to change by contributing a new perspective, one that highlights societal aspects and opportunities for shaping digitalization and its impacts. To that end, we are using this paper to state overall positions shared by the programs at the foundation. The aim is not to consider concrete demands or current approaches, but to explain the foundation's general attitude towards digitalization as it affects participation in the areas of education, democracy, social affairs, heath, culture and the economy. In our role as bridge builder, agenda setter and solutions developer, we want to use the principles stated here to help put digitalization at the service of society.