digitaalsus

Digitaalsus is the quality or state of being digital, referring to the growing integration of digital technologies into information, communication, services and culture. It encompasses digitization—the conversion of information into digital form—alongside digitalization, the broader transformation of processes, organizations and societies through digital technologies. The concept is used across fields such as information science, sociology, economics and public administration, and is closely linked to digital literacy and data governance.

Historically, digitization began with encoding information in digital formats and progressed through networking, the spread of the internet, mobile computing, cloud services, and data analytics. Today, digitaalsus characterizes many aspects of everyday life: online services, digital workplaces, e-government, e-health, and digital media. The term often highlights not only technology itself but also the organizational and cultural change required to leverage it effectively.

The implications of digitaalsus are broad. Economically, it underpins the digital economy, productivity gains, and new business models. Socially, it affects communication, education and access to information. Governance and public services increasingly rely on digital infrastructure and e-services, while concerns about privacy, cybersecurity, data protection, and digital inclusion grow in tandem.

Challenges include the digital divide between and within societies, privacy and surveillance risks, and environmental impacts from devices and energy use. Policymaking and ethics aim to promote secure, inclusive, and sustainable digital development. See also digital literacy, data privacy, cybersecurity, and digital economy.