Check against delivery
Thank you for the invitation to speak here today.
Standing here at the IT University, I am reminded of that old joke about the mechanical engineer, the electrical engineer and the computer engineer riding together in a car.
The car breaks down and wheels to the side of the road.
"Hang on," says the mechanical engineer. "The problem is probably the engine, let me have a look at it and I will have us on the road again in no time."
"Wait," says the electrical engineer. "The way it just stopped like that, I think it is the electrical system. Let me have a look."
"Hold on," says the computer engineer. "Why do we not all just get out of the car and get in again, and then see if it starts?"
No room for technological illiteracy at the future market
Of course, this strategy – though it has often proven effective – will not always work. We need tech skills that reach a bit further.
And indeed, rather than thanking you for having me here, I should be thanking all of you for being here.
Because our country needs more people like you, who take interest in the new digital technologies. More entrepreneurial persons with innovative ideas. More persons who are able to code. More persons taking pride in math skills.
Because the room for technological illiteracy at the labour market is rapidly closing.
The digital revolution
And we need everybody – no matter their field of expertise – to know the basis of modern technology. How else will they engage in a digital world?
The digital revolution we face is mind-blowing. The “Internet of Things” truly fascinates me. It allows for the development of entirely new products.
As you know, several billion electronic devices are connected to the internet. And the number is expected to multiply in the years to come.
The effect? Vast amounts of data is quickly boiled down to simple answers to everyday problems. Changing the way we carry out research, shop, eat, exercise, travel, date.
What the Government does
But I am preaching to the choir. Of course, all of you who have showed up today know this very well.
My message to you is that the Government, too, is acutely aware of this development (maybe surprising to some…).
And also of the call for action, which it entails. For my part, it means ensuring that education is fitted to match the demands of the future.
The report presented today – on how Denmark and the Nordics create jobs through apps – states that the “app economy” has the potential to add up to 285,000 jobs in the Nordic countries by 2021.
And that thousands of those new jobs could be created right here in Denmark. If we do things right.
However, app companies are already hampered by shortage of developers. We have to focus on that.
We must not be lacking the relevant competencies in years to come simply because we did not prepare.
That is why the Government is taking a number of different steps to ensure that Denmark will seize the potential of tomorrow – and maintain a well-functioning labour market.
We have set up a so called “Disruption Council”. Led by the Prime Minister.
Secondly, we are considering to forge a so-called Danish technology pact to strengthen our approach to the call for more IT and technological skills. The pact would aim to get more young people to focus on tech skills.
And thirdly, we are working on an overall strategy for the digital growth of Denmark, which we plan to put forward this autumn.
One thing is certain – that excellent research and education is fundamental to bringing Denmark well into the future. And that Denmark needs to be technology savvy.
That is why we are encouraging young people to do as you and seek an IT education. Fortunately, there is increasing public awareness on the potential and endless opportunities in IT.
This is a development I will do my best to reinforce. But you – all of you who know and see the potential in IT – have an opportunity to spur this development, too.
You can be role models to the young people who are about to make their choice of education.
I have no doubt events, such as the one today, will help shed light on the potential of IT proficiency.
So, today, listen, learn and mingle. And tomorrow, go out and spread the word. So more students may be attracted to our IT programmes.
The call for entrepreneurship
And so they realise that you do not need to live in Silicon Valley to become a successful entrepreneur.
It is also for people in Aalborg, in Odense, in Sønderborg, in Nykøbing Falster and right here on Amager – of all places. And Bornholm, I might add,
Starting a new business is hard work and you are likely to fail a couple of time before success arises.
But these are the terms no matter who you are and how big your country is.
There is no reason why Denmark should not be the next big hub for IT entrepreneurship – if we aim high in our ambitions and actually take the political action that is needed.
And we will be happy to take advice on this.
Because we want to challenge London, Stockholm, Tel Aviv, Berlin – even the Americans. Well, now should be the time.
The call for interdisciplinary knowledge
To do that, I believe it will take more than technology skills.
In order to create successful apps, such as Vivino or Endomondo, you need something more.
We often see that those bringing successful, new, innovative ideas to the table are, indeed, people with a deep specialisation – but also with a broad perspective. Success in business – in life – require perspective.
It takes awareness of the world around you. It takes creativity. And if you ask me, it actually also takes a fair amount of knowledge of the culture you live in.
In the future, many things can be standardised and taken over by machines. But the reflective, free thought cannot. Our minds and ideas will be the last to surrender. So we should stimulate free thinking and the ideas. That is why – as you might have heard – I want our educational system to help the students to broad, basic, interdisciplinary knowledge. I want more “dannelse”, as we say in Denmark – or “buildung" as they say in Germany. It roughly translates to “general education”.
I want all students to learn the basics in philosophy, history, ethics, science and technology. I want all students to be able to give more analytical and wiser answers than Siri can (at least at the present time).
If you can fix that with an app I will be the first to download it. A ”Dannelses-app”… :-) And I will then force it upon all students in the country, too… So there is a market!
Today’s event
But I am digressing here.
There is no doubt that we need more people with deep tech skills to bring Denmark well into the future.
And the Government cannot make it happen alone.
So I would like to thank Copenhagen Economics, App Developer Alliance, Google and the IT University of Copenhagen for setting up today’s event
– and for the report.
This is exactly the sort of initiative I would urge.
Hopefully, today will shed light on the job opportunities apps may offer. How we turn an app into business. And how to create the best environment for future app successes.
Closing
In closing, I will say that I am genuinely optimistic about what possibilities the technology of the future holds. I am excited to see what will happen. I have great expectations as to the future of technology and which apps you might come up with.
But I might not be the right person to ask – as Churchill once said:
“Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen.”
Thank you for coming here, thank you for cultivating your IT skills and thank you for your attention.