numérique

Numérique is a French term that denotes digital technologies, data, and processes characterized by discrete numerical representation. In everyday usage, the word contrasts with analog, and broadly covers computing, telecommunications, multimedia, and information processing. In English-language contexts, numérique is often translated as digital or digitized, but the term retains a distinct French cultural and regulatory framing in discussions of technology policy and society.

Scope and applications: The numérique domain encompasses computer science, software, hardware, networks, cloud computing, data processing, and digital media. It underpins the digital economy, including e-commerce, online services, and platform-based business models, as well as research areas such as artificial intelligence and data analytics.

History and terminology: The concept emerged in parallel with the development of digital computing and communication technologies. The term numérique gained prominence in the second half of the 20th century and has become standard in French to describe the shift from analog to digital technology. It is frequently paired with terms like économie numérique or société numérique to describe social and economic change.

Impact and policy: The numérique era has transformed productivity, communication, and access to information, while raising concerns about privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, and the digital divide. Policy discussions in many regions focus on data governance, digital literacy, infrastructure, and sovereignty, with frameworks such as the European Union's data protection rules shaping practices in the numérique domain.