This document discusses how new digital technologies are rapidly changing the local government sector. It outlines 10 trending job titles that did not exist 5 years ago and technologies like robotics, 3D printing, and the Internet of Things that are influencing opportunities and challenges. Some opportunities include lowered costs and increased efficiency, while cautions involve transitional issues, privacy/security concerns, and changing employment implications. The document also notes the need for evidence-based policymaking given more available information, challenges in data interpretation, and incorporating multiple factors beyond just science into policy responses.

1. Fit for the Digital Future
The Influence of New
Information and Digital
Technologies on the
Local Government
Sector

2. 2
Report focus

3. 3
Rate of Change
Top 10 Trending Job titles on LinkedIn* unheard of 5 years
ago:
1. iOS Developer
2. Android Developer
3. Zumba Instructor
4. Social media Intern
5. Data Scientist
6. UI / UX Designer
7. Big data Architect - fastest growing title!
8. Beachbody Coach
9. Cloud services Specialist
10.Digital marketing Specialist

4. 4
Technologies
1. Robotics
2. 3-D Printing
3. Mobile devices
4. Wearable technology
5. Augmented reality
6. Renewable electricity
7. Electric vehicles
8. Internet of things (M2M)
9. Big data
10. Cloud computing

5. 5
Common Opportunities and Cautions
• Lowered costs
• Change the way we work - increased efficiency
• Change what work we do - disruptive
• Change the location of work (urban / rural)
• Transitional issues
• Privacy, security, legal issues
• Enduring information
• Requirement for standardisation and for temporal
compatibility (e-documents)
• Liability for iDecisions
• Employment implications (+ve and –ve)

6. 6
Science / Policy Nexus
• Quest for evidence based policy
– More information available to more people in the future
• Data acquisition and management & Interpretation
• Natural systems rarely respond lineally
– geometric with tipping points
• Policy responses generally do
• Scientists –search for proof – ‘right answer’
– Logical, Methodical,
• Policy design needs good cause and effect base
Response must include cost, social values – political
- Messy - Disorderly - chaotic