European Digital Transformation Needs Indicators of Informatics Competence

In today’s world it is crucial that individuals, regardless of their position or daily activities, be digitally skilled. Digital skills sit at the application level, where people must be able to operate, through technological devices and systems, with applications. This happens in a variety of sectors: It could be argued that in today’s world, digital applications are utilized in some capacity across all areas of services, production, and communication. However, it is important to remember that all these artefacts are driven by the scientific discipline of informatics. That is why concepts like data, algorithms, computing machines, programming, communication and coordination have to be part of the standard school education, much like those of force, energy, cell, organism, molecule, etc. are. The practical side, that is the equivalent of the laboratory for traditional sciences, has also to be part of this education. Moreover, digital technology is affecting human society, and it is therefore necessary that all students are aware of the implications that technology, developed on the basis of Informatics principles, can have on human beings and their relations.