Economic growth is more than a Budget buzzword. Today, it’s predicated on digitalisation.
This megatrend represents one of our biggest investment opportunities and is critical for economic progress and addressing societal challenges. Digitalisation is not confined to a standalone tech sector; it’s in every industry.
Businesses and institutions are already deploying technology to remove obstacles to growth and efficiency. We must unlock its potential so community infrastructure can better serve and create more opportunities for people. Here’s how we can achieve this together.
Your innovation is our future
Cities exist for, and because of, people. To build a ‘Digital City’ Londoners want to live in, we need their input and ideas to decide how to evolve our city—your innovation is our future.
Entrepreneurs I’ve spoken with during my campaigns, have stressed the need for supportive policies and engagement to keep London as their city of choice. Innovation Districts, Creative Enterprise Zones, and tech clusters should lead in creating technology that solves societal challenges.
Politicians should implement strategies, with engagement from the public and entrepreneurs, that encourage the development of technology that will address our challenges and help to attract investment to scale solutions that deliver public benefit.
Universal Connectivity
Universal connectivity is the foundation of building a smarter city. To achieve this, 5G and full fibre broadband must be prioritised and installed in public buildings and infrastructure across all boroughs by a set deadline. Improving connectivity will enable the Internet of Things and the use of real-time applications that will improve public service delivery.
A logical starting point is upgrading street infrastructure to support the 5G rollout. Street furniture, such as lampposts and bus shelters, can be equipped with the necessary technology, making the impact and benefits of innovation tangible to citizens. For instance, permeable paving helps manage heavy rainfall and prevent flooding, while lampposts equipped with air quality and traffic monitors demonstrate how technology can improve public health and enhance traffic reporting. This technology makes innovation a visible and valuable part of everyday life.
However, the current pace of 5G deployment is too slow, hindered by regulatory challenges, costs, and public opposition to infrastructure installations due to aesthetic concerns and a lack of understanding of the benefits. Raising public awareness about the importance of 5G, working in partnership with network providers to overcome the challenges they face, and smoothing regulatory processes are critical.
Digital progress for all
At the centre of digitalisation is its inclusion of all citizens. A city that is intolerant or loses sight of those on society’s margins runs the risk of becoming sterile and disconnected. As a candidate, I heard from many residents who believe in and want equal opportunity for all, highlighting the need for inclusive planning to ensure that digitalisation benefits everyone. Without this, digital advancements risk deepening divides and excluding marginalised communities from the city’s growth and resources.
Addressing the digital divide – the gap in access to technology – must be a priority to ensure everyone benefits from the opportunity digitalisation brings. Politicians play a key role in championing and guiding digital transformation in a way that balances economic growth with social equity. We need to ensure digital infrastructure creates better services and outcomes, ensuring that the benefits of digitalisation are accessible to all members of the community.
Growing our skills economy
Technology is reshaping the job landscape, and residents have said they want reassurance that digitalisation aligns with our societal values and delivers meaningful employment. It is a core political responsibility to create rewarding job opportunities for all. As businesses increasingly adopt technology to enhance efficiency, politicians must ensure that the public are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in this evolving environment.
This includes promoting a skills economy that provides people with the competencies required for current roles and the growing number of job opportunities in technology, science, engineering, and sustainability. Apprenticeships, vocational training, working with universities and schools, play a significant role in preparing citizens for these positions. Additionally, policies that promote lifelong learning and reskilling will enable workers of all ages to adapt their skills as job demands change.
Unlock our potential with ethical data
“London’s streets are paved with gold,” said Dick Whittington. In today’s world, data is the new gold. Ethical data collection and optimisation are essential for solving London’s challenges. For instance, TfL’s open data has improved service transparency, offering real-time updates on transport and air quality. Similarly, the Metropolitan Police share crime statistics to enhance public awareness and safety.
However, the full potential of data has not yet been deployed. Linking real-time data sets and using AI can transform public services.
Imagine, for example, a police force that uses real-time data to predict and prevent crime more effectively. Central to its use, is the safety of information sharing, which must uphold ethical standards. As we increasingly integrate real-time data and AI into public services, robust cybersecurity measures are essential to protect our systems from cyber-attacks. To harness the potential safely and responsibly, politicians must establish standards for data quality and ethics and understand how data can be used to inform policies that improve the lives of all citizens.
Building a smarter city goes beyond simply embracing technology; it requires aligning that technology with our values to benefit everyone. As we invest in universal connectivity, promote a skills economy, and unlock the power of data ethically, we must prioritise inclusivity and engagement with entrepreneurs and citizens.
Politicians must champion these advancements, creating policies that drive economic investment and growth while safeguarding social equity. They must also create a safe society, with data shared ethically and consensually. By working together—citizens, entrepreneurs, and policymakers—we can create a London that thrives in the digital age, ensuring opportunities for all
