As well as its more obvious effects, one of the most noticeable aspects about the global pandemic was that it further widened existing divides. Women, low-income workers, the youngest and the poorest were hit extremely hard. In 2022, digital technologies and tools will help to heal those divides and accelerate a sustainable recovery that works better for everyone.
For almost half the planet, this will start with digital connectivity. Countries around the world are putting digital tools at the heart of their recovery strategies – seeing the huge potential of open access to accelerate economic growth, innovation and jobs. Next year, governments and businesses will invest in the infrastructure, such as subsea cables, needed to get everyone online. Access to more affordable, faster connectivity will help close the rural-urban gap by eliminating “not-spots” for the 600 million people who currently live outside the range of networks. Whole economies will also start to feel the impact of connecting the world. According to research by the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank, a ten per cent increase in mobile-internet penetration boosts GDP per capita by two per cent.
In 2021, even the smallest companies had to become multichannel as services shifted online. Those that did are feeling the benefits: small businesses that used digital tools in the pandemic saw 80 per cent better sales and hired three times more people than those that didn’t, according to research done by the Connected Commerce Council and funded by Google. In 2022, with half the planet online and more people connecting for the first time, every business will become a digital business and every business will become a global business. Mobile banking and payments will be a key part of this.
Just how important this technology is to societies is clear in the numbers. According to Reuters, concern about handling physical money boosted basic mobile money transactions in sub-Saharan Africa by almost a quarter to $490 billion (£355 billion) during the pandemic – that’s more than the GDP of Nigeria. In India, people are making 3 billion digital transactions a month. Apps such as Kenya’s M-Pesa or Google Pay, which enable mobile transactions, are helping small businesses to go cashless, accept remote payments and reach new and bigger markets. In 2022 these technologies will reach many of the 1.7 billion people around the world who have no conventional bank account, and help to transform access to wealth in developing countries.
Better tools for work will also help close gender and geographical divides. Businesses everywhere are already doing some form of hybrid working. In 2022, we will see more leaps in digital tools that not only enhance productivity, collaboration and wellbeing, but also make the future workplace far more inclusive. This will need leadership – we have seen in the pandemic how women’s participation in work has been disproportionately impacted. But, by making it easier to be productive and collaborate from anywhere, tech-enabled productivity tools can be a leveller – pulling more people into the workforce who struggle to be a part of it today. And, with leaders looking to improve diversity and representation, teams can be more distributed too. With accelerated connection and these kinds of digital advances, every business will have the opportunity to become a micro-multinational and reach talent and customers across borders.
Not everyone, however, can easily adopt new technologies. If predictions are accurate that many more people than previously thought will need to transition to new jobs due to the pandemic, equipping people with the right digital skills will be key to an inclusive recovery. In 2022, policymakers and businesses will invest in new forms of learning for the most vulnerable and at risk of job displacement.
Covid accelerated the use of technology by years. In 2022, we will see the potential for connection and digital tools to accelerate a recovery that works for everyone. Governments, companies and communities will need to work together to make this a reality.
Get more expert predictions for the year ahead. The WIRED World in 2022 features intelligence and need-to-know insights sourced from the smartest minds in the WIRED network. Available now on newsstands, as a digital download, or you can order your copy online.
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This article was originally published by WIRED UK
