Let’s Make the War on Digital Illiteracy Personal

The Canadian economy is forecasted to have 2.4 million job openings between 2018 and 2021. But the jobs in question will be different from what currently exists, as approximately half of all occupations will undergo a skills overhaul. As we enter the next stage of the age of disruption, digital literacy is only going to become more critical to maintaining a competitive economy. On the national level, accessible programs sponsored by non-profit groups have made progress in recent years. Resources are being made available to ensure that Canadians can be productive in the digital age. Perhaps the question isn’t whether Canada is doing enough to battle the digital literacy gap, but whether working Canadians are personally taking the initiative to remain valuable as employees. Artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies will disrupt everything from value chains to traditional organizational structures. Understanding the driving forces behind coming waves of disruption is key to surviving and thriving in the paradigm shifts expected across all industries and sectors. Those who adapt best are the ones who anticipate where trends are shifting, as opposed to reacting when they appear. It is up to us to close the digital literacy gap individually.