Significant inventions in AI, robotics, virtual reality, big data, biotech, 3D printing, FinTech, space exploration, genetic engineering are dramatically changing our every-day lives. But where these changes lead to?
Technology could further create unexpected effects on the labor market, particularly considering the automation of some functions, which is likely to lead to the disappearance of jobs and to the restructuring of the labor market.
At the same time, there are so many areas where technology are improving the world around us: mechanized agriculture, improved communication, medicine, education, etc.
On the 21st of January panel discussion “Will Technologies Save the World?” organized by IT Ukraine within Ukraine House Davos took part. Leading tech companies CEOs, CTOs and government officials discussed challenges of tech future.
We are already staying on track with digital transformation. We reinforce Ukraine’s international position: IT industry is showing a growth of 26% annually, it is the second largest exporter of services. At present, there are 4000 tech companies and more than 185 thousand IT specialists in our country. Аll these make Ukraine one of the most attractive places for software developers. For many years, Ukraine has been recognized as “IT destination” of Eastern Europe and now it becomes an emerging spot for AI, Data Science and digital transformation. The digital era allows Ukraine to accelerate access to economic breakthrough.
During the panel discussion, the government officials assured that they would do everything they could to spur the growth of Ukrainian IT industry.
Oleksandr Bornyakov, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation in Ukraine: «We launched today “Diia. Osvita” portal that will be used to educate 6 million people, to teach them basic digital skills, and to prepare them how to take advantage of a new product that we will launch in the private sector. It’s a big step up. Another project that we are going to launch is aimed to help people get training and develop new digital job skills, as well as help them find their own way and new job to boost the country’s economy 4.0. Because most of existing jobs and professions will go through a change and will be fully transformed in 20-40 years. Another project that we are implementing now is “Diia”. Ukraine was one of the first countries in the world to issue electronic driver’s licenses. I am deeply happy that we’ve launched in Kharkiv a project “E-Maliatko”, which includes 10 services for parents caring for newborns and allows them to register the child’s birth without queueing and unnecessary bureaucracy. This procedure takes a few minutes».
Kira Rudik, First Deputy Head of Digital Transformation Committee, Former CEO of Ring Ukraine: «In the previous year, for the first time in Ukraine’s history, our new Government and our new Parliament focused on digital transformation direction. This means that Ukraine identifies it as one of its strategic goals that can allow making digital changes to business and help people. The three issues we are going to address and implement in our country in the next five years, based on experience and best practices applied around the world, are as follows: Internet coverage available Ukraine-wide, digital literacy and access to technologies for most people and key governmental services that will be digitalized. These are very ambition goals. However, they will transform the entire process inside the Government and shape the way our country progresses».
Government digitalization is a challenging, large-scale and complex process. It can be a success
only in cooperating with global IT companies having unique expertise that is the most sought from industries: FinTech, AgriTech, Energy Tech, Automotive, MedTech, etc.
Vitaly Sedler, CEO and Co-Founder of Intellias: «Information technologies hold numerous possibilities to reshape industries, lift businesses to a new level, and help humanity move towards a more sustainable future. And it is our mission to apply tech innovations right and create more livable communities. Sharing economy, IoT connectivity, and AI are already driving the positive shift, addressing the Sustainable Development Goals. Take autonomous driving: being AI-powered, it will result in smarter traffic flows and less energy consumption. Therefore, people will commute cheaper and faster while lessening their environmental footprint. By harnessing greener technology, we lead our society to eco-conscious stance and global sustainability. We have the power to make technology a world-saving tool, and we’ve already started doing this. Let’s keep going!»
Alex Chubay, CTO at SoftServe: «Today we live in a time of technology Big Bang, and over the last 20 years, we’re observing the confluence of multiple factors like globalization of workforce, supply chain, a lot of money has been created and put into economy. All of this created really great momentum for technology innovation. And within this tech universe, that is rapidly expanding, I would specifically articulate the area of Deep Tech, which is about AI, biotech, advanced materials, etc. – those things that create competitive advantage that is hard to imitate, and move us to the cutting edge of the progress. Those technologies are synergistically amplifying the effects of each other, overlapping the scientific progress and technology engineering. Together, those new technologies will disrupt areas of life and transform many industries already in the nearest decade».
Oleksiy Skrypnyk, Co-Founder of ELEKS: «Now, there are 185,000 IT specialists and 1,600+ IT companies in Ukraine, and IT industry has grown, too: the industry’s share in GDP increased from 0.06% up to 3.3% in 2013-2018. We have a wide variety of companies in Ukraine: experienced service providers, startups and product companies. I am sure that Ukrainian startups will grow fast and possess skills to become unicorns. This is the process that is underway. It is a good time to invest and, particularly, to invest into the industry sectors that are the most popular destinations for a combination of technologies: FinTech, AgriTech, Energy Tech, Automotive, MedTech, etc. A lot of various industry-tech combinations are positioning such sectors for success».
IT Ukraine Association − is the largest pool of service and product IT companies in Ukraine, collectively accounting for 50% of all IT industry`s export earnings in Ukraine and bringing together 27% of Ukrainian IT professionals. The Association has been operating in the market for over 15 years. Our mission is to provide favorable conditions for the development of IT in the country and abroad.
