Frankfurter Buchmesse: Manifest für eine digital-bewusste Gesellschaft

Frankfurter Buchmesse Digitales Manifest: Alexander Loth präsentiert sein Buch Decisively Digital.
Frankfurter Buchmesse Digitales Manifest: Auswirkungen auf die Gesellschaft werden im Buch Decisively Digital besprochen.

Zu Beginn der 75. Frankfurter Buchmesse, einem weltweit bedeutenden Literatur- und Kulturereignis, bei dem ich selbst zu Gast bin, möchte ich die Gelegenheit nutzen, einige meiner Gedanken zur Digitalisierung und ihren Auswirkungen auf unsere Gesellschaft mit Ihnen zu teilen.

In diesem Manifest formuliere ich Überlegungen, die weit über technologische Aspekte hinausgehen und unsere kollektive Verantwortung für die Gestaltung einer digitalen Zukunft betonen, in deren Mittelpunkt der Mensch steht. In einer Zeit, in der Bücher und Gedanken mehr denn je eine Brücke zwischen der analogen und der digitalen Welt schlagen können, scheint mir dieser Moment besonders geeignet, einen Dialog anzustoßen, der weit über die technologischen Aspekte der Digitalisierung hinausgeht.


Manifest für eine digital-bewusste Gesellschaft

Die Diskussion um die Digitalisierung verengt sich allzu oft auf technische Aspekte und die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Wirtschaft. Diese Reduktion ist nicht nur verkürzt, sondern gefährlich. Ich argumentiere, dass die Digitalisierung eine umfassende gesellschaftliche Herausforderung darstellt, die weit mehr als nur technologische Überlegungen erfordert. Sie stellt uns vor komplexe moralische und ethische Fragestellungen, die dringend politisch angegangen werden müssen.

Wenn die politischen Entscheidungsträger die vielschichtigen Dimensionen der Digitalisierung weiterhin ignorieren, droht uns eine dystopische Zukunft. Ich sehe die Gefahr einer Gesellschaft, die in einem Strudel von Effizienzsteigerung und Selbstoptimierung gefangen ist, während der individuelle und kollektive Sinn des Lebens verloren geht.

Die digitale Revolution hat eine subtile Form des Kapitalismus geschaffen, die weitreichende psychologische Auswirkungen hat. Diese neuen Mechanismen beeinflussen nicht nur unser Konsumverhalten, sondern durchdringen alle sozialen Räume unseres Lebens: unsere Autos, unsere Häuser und sogar unsere zwischenmenschlichen Beziehungen.

Die digitale Technologie hat zweifellos ihre Verdienste. Sie hat eine globale Zivilisation ermöglicht, die nationale und kulturelle Grenzen überwindet. Aber diese Universalität hat auch ihren Preis: Wir dürfen nicht zulassen, dass unsere kulturellen Traditionen und individuellen Weisheiten zu musealen Objekten einer vergangenen Epoche werden.

Als Wirtschaftsinformatiker plädiere ich für einen menschenzentrierten Zugang zur Technologie. Es ist an der Zeit, eine neue Gesellschaftsstruktur zu entwerfen, die die vielfältigen Möglichkeiten der Digitalisierung in den Dienst des Menschen stellt. Die Schlüsselkompetenzen dieses neuen Zeitalters sind Selbstorganisation, Selbstverantwortung und Selbstermächtigung. Diese Fähigkeiten sind nicht mehr nur wünschenswerte Ideale, sondern absolute Notwendigkeiten für die Zukunft.

Die Delegation kognitiver Funktionen an Maschinen birgt die Gefahr, dass wir unsere Fähigkeit zu kreativem und kritischem Denken verlieren. Das menschliche Gedächtnis ist nicht nur ein Speicherort, sondern auch ein Generator für freie, kreative Gedanken.

In meinem Buch Decisively Digital stelle ich die weit verbreitete Annahme in Frage, dass eine zukünftige Superintelligenz in der Lage sein wird, den menschlichen Intellekt in allen Bereichen zu übertreffen. Die eigentliche Gefahr liegt nicht in der KI selbst, sondern in ihrem möglichen Missbrauch. Ethik lässt sich nicht einfach in Algorithmen übersetzen, weil menschliche Moral zu komplex und kontextabhängig ist.

Wenn wir neuronale Netze trainieren, projizieren wir Aspekte unserer Menschlichkeit in diese Systeme. Sie werden somit zu einem Spiegel unserer Hoffnungen, Träume und Ängste. Diese Erkenntnis sollte uns bewusst sein, wenn wir über die Anwendung und Regulierung künstlicher Intelligenz nachdenken.

Die Zeit ist reif für tiefgreifende Veränderungen. Wir müssen einen konstruktiven Dialog über die gesellschaftlichen und politischen Auswirkungen der Digitalisierung führen. Wir müssen uns selbst und die nächste Generation aufklären und stärken. Denn letztlich ist die digitale Welt ein Abbild unserer Welt – machen wir sie lebenswert.


Ich freue mich auf einen inspirierenden Austausch in den kommenden Tagen auf der Frankfurter Buchmesse – und darüber hinaus auch in den sozialen Medien (Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram).

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9 Key Elements of a Successful Data Strategy for Business Growth

Get the Competitive Edge with Decisively Digital - The Ultimate Guide to Data Strategy
Get the Competitive Edge with Decisively Digital – The Ultimate Guide to Data Strategy

Data is a valuable asset that can give businesses a competitive edge and drive growth in today’s digital age. But without a clear and well-defined data strategy, companies risk missing out on the benefits that data provides. To help your business succeed in the digital world, here’s an overview of nine essential elements of a comprehensive data strategy.

    1. Goals and Objectives: Define specific goals and objectives that the company wants to achieve through its data efforts, such as improving customer experiences or optimizing business processes.
    2. Data Sources: Identify the most valuable data types and determine where they will come from, such as internal transaction or customer data and external market research.
    3. Data Management and Storage: Outline how data will be collected, organized, and stored consistently, accurately, and compliantly, with data management tools and technologies.
    4. Data Analysis and Reporting: Define how data will be analyzed and used to inform business decisions, with data visualization tools, dashboards, and reporting systems.
    5. Data Governance: Establish clear roles and responsibilities for data management, guidelines for data use and access, and ensure ethical and regulatory compliance.
    6. Data-driven Culture: Foster a data-driven culture by providing training and resources for data-driven decision making.
    7. Data Security and Privacy: Ensure data is collected, stored, and used securely and in compliance with privacy regulations.
    8. Data Integration and Interoperability: Define how data will be integrated and shared across systems and platforms.
    9. Data Quality and Accuracy: Ensure data is accurate and up-to-date, with processes for data cleansing and enrichment.

A data strategy is a must-have tool for any company that wants to fully realize the benefits of its data. It provides a clear roadmap for data collection, management, and analysis and helps organizations make better use of their data, drive growth, and succeed in today’s digital world. Get more insights and in-depth information by reading the book Decisively Digital (on Amazon).

Decisively Digital is the #1 Best-Selling Digital Transformation Book on Amazon

Decisively Digital is an Amazon Best Seller. Experience a completely rewired perspective on digital transformation with 'Decisively Digital', a book that intricately navigates the complexities of today's technological landscape.
Experience a completely rewired perspective on digital transformation with Decisively Digital, a book that intricately navigates the complexities of today’s technological landscape.

It’s been an incredible start to the year, and I’m overjoyed to announce that my book, Decisively Digital, has reached a significant milestone. It has risen to become the #1 bestselling book in the computer and technology industry on Amazon. This achievement is not only a personal victory but a reflection of the growing interest and need for knowledge in the field of digital transformation.

Navigating Digital Transformation with Decisively Digital

When I embarked on the journey of writing Decisively Digital, I was driven by a strong belief in the power of digital transformation. I was eager to share my wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience on how organizations, regardless of size or industry, can leverage digital technologies to drive growth and achieve unprecedented success.

I had the unique opportunity to conduct insightful interviews with thought leaders across industries, delving deep into the strategies and methodologies that have propelled them to the forefront of digital innovation. These conversations weren’t just enlightening, they were transformative, providing a holistic view of digital transformation that goes beyond the surface layers.

Empowering Readers in the Digital Age: A Rewired Approach

My vision for Decisively Digital has always been clear: to serve as a beacon of knowledge and inspiration for readers seeking to navigate the complexities of the digital age. The book is designed to empower you, giving you the tools and insights you need to harness the full potential of technology for your business or organization, effectively rewiring your approach to digital challenges.

As we stand at the crossroads of a digital revolution, Decisively Digital aims to be more than just a book. It is a guide, a companion, and a catalyst for change, encouraging readers to embrace digital transformation and drive innovation within their own spheres of influence. With a rewired mindset, you can unlock unprecedented opportunities and forge ahead confidently in this ever-evolving digital landscape.

A heartfelt thank you

I am deeply grateful for the overwhelming support that Decisively Digital has received. This accomplishment is not mine alone; it is a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and the indomitable spirit of innovation that resides within all of us.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to every reader, supporter, and advocate of Decisively Digital. It is your belief in the book’s message, and your commitment to advancing digital transformation, that has brought us to this remarkable milestone.

Join the Digital Transformation Movement

As we celebrate this achievement, I invite you to spread the word about Decisively Digital. Share your thoughts, experiences, and insights with the broader community. Together, we can continue to foster a culture of innovation, learning, and transformative growth.

Feel free to share this post, recommend the book to your network, and engage in conversations about digital transformation. Let’s continue to empower and inspire each other on this journey to a digitally savvy future:

#datamustread 2022 Essentials: How to Level Up In Your Data Journey

Best Data Science Books: Top 5 Essential Reads for 2022 - #datamustread
Best Data Science Books: Top 5 Essential Reads for 2022 – #datamustread

For some time now, I have been using the hashtag #datamustread on LinkedIn and Twitter to regularly recommend books that are essential for a data journey. At the end of this year, I would like to put together some absolute highlights that I consider to be absolute #datamustread books:

📖 True or False by Cindy L. Otis
📖 Info We Trust by RJ Andrew
📖 Tools and Weapons by Brad Smith
📖 Data Science for Business by Foster Provost and Tom Fawcett
📖 Decisively Digital by 24 thought leaders interviewed by me

True or False: A CIA Analyst’s Guide to Spotting Fake News

True or False by Cindy L. Otis covers the entire spectrum of misinformation and disinformation, why we fall for it, and what we can do about it. Even though some concepts are familiar to me, I still learned quite a lot. The book contains a wealth of unexpected examples, current and from history, and is more relevant than ever in today’s world.

Info We Trust: How to Inspire the World with Data

Info We Trust by RJ Andrews is an inspiring journey of data storytelling, but it’s also written in an extremely entertaining way, making this #datamustread the perfect companion for relaxing days. RJ’s enjoyable writing style, by the way, has been a guiding light for my own books.

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10 Lessons the Post-Pandemic Era has taught us

Decisively Digital book
Decisively Digital book

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on societies and economies around the world. Ten lessons the post-pandemic era (PPE) has taught us:

    1. Most office work can be done from anywhere.
    2. Face-to-face meetings can be avoided in 90% of cases.
    3. Most meetings can be reduced to 30 minutes.
    4. Breaks between meetings are important to stay focused.
    5. Important decisions for society (politics and economy) are made by non-experts out of fear.
    6. Social media is increasingly used for spreading disinformation. Countermeasures are currently ineffective.
    7. Four-day weeks are not only feasible but will become inevitable to avoid layoffs.
    8. The education system, which is the backbone of our future, is outdated.
    9. Investments in digital infrastructure bring humanity forward in a sustainable way.
    10. It is essential to secure this digital infrastructure comprehensively so as not to expose society to dangers such as nationwide blackouts.

Looking ahead, it will be important for individuals, communities, and businesses to continue to learn and adapt in order to thrive in an ever-changing world. Many of these points are covered in depth in the Decisively Digital book.

What are your personal learnings from the pandemic and beyond? Join the discussion on LinkedIn: