{"id":11143,"date":"2016-11-01T02:55:47","date_gmt":"2016-11-01T06:55:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/industry\/blog\/?p=11143"},"modified":"2023-05-31T16:35:22","modified_gmt":"2023-05-31T23:35:22","slug":"future-decoded","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/industry\/blog\/government\/2016\/11\/01\/future-decoded\/","title":{"rendered":"Future Decoded"},"content":{"rendered":"
The United Kingdom (UK) remains one of the world\u2019s foremost tech and start-up economies. In fact, according to the\u00a0World Economic Forum<\/a>, (WEF) the UK ranks 8th out of 143 in effectiveness for digital technology. However, as we see globally, the UK is not without its challenges, particularly as it relates to education and health. Based on a recently published and Microsoft-sponsored Economist Intelligence Unit\u00a0study,<\/a>\u00a016-25-year-olds in the UK account for 40% of all those out of work, thus reducing their revenue contribution to the economy. And globally, more people are living longer with multiple medical conditions that require costly treatments, placing an increased burden on national healthcare systems.<\/p>\n At FutureDecoded in London this week I\u2019ll be discussing how leaders across the world recognize that we\u2019re in the midst of a fourth industrial revolution that is changing our current systems of production, distribution, and consumption. Never has there been a time when technology had the potential to impact the world more than today. And with this change comes enormous opportunity and the potential to change nearly every facet of life for the better. Yet, for a substantial part of the world, the benefits of these advanced technologies are elusive. Referencing back to the WEF, even in the most advanced economies, only certain segments of the population are benefitting from this digital economy. Many are left behind because of age, limited digital literacy, lack of access, or remoteness.<\/p>\n At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, and ensure that people\u00a0all over the world<\/strong>\u00a0have the tools, education, and technology to help transform their lives for the better. We are committed to helping public sector agencies remove the barriers to adoption through innovative technology and programs that have lasting impact.<\/p>\n FutureDecoded is part of our Empowerment Tour which has the goal of bringing our Digital Transformation through a Cloud for Global Good message and solutions to various business and public sector leaders around the world. During my Keynote and sessions, we plan to talk with leaders and showcase best practices for how technology can be a powerful enabler to solve many of the challenges facing businesses and agencies today as they focus on the future of our planet and its people. Specifically, I\u2019ll be focusing on key UN Sustainable Development Goals that are relevant to the UK and where we believe ICT can rapidly accelerate progress, including #3 Good Health and Well-Being, #4 Education, #8 Economic Growth and #9 Industry Innovation and Infrastructure.<\/p>\n