Launched at the end of 2018, the Digital Glasgow Strategy set out our priorities and commitments to developing Glasgow's digital economy and transforming our public services through the use of digital technology. The strategy represents a step change in our approach to digital, and it was developed in collaboration with a broad range of partners from across the public, private, third, and academic sectors. It is a bold, ambitious, and comprehensive plan that recognises the extraordinary opportunity that digital technology provides to our city, but also the challenges that we all face as a consequence of the rapidly evolving digital world we live in.
Our vision for Glasgow is to be:
"A world class city with a thriving digital economy and community, where everyone can flourish and benefit from the best digital connectivity and skills, where technology is used to improve everyone's quality of life, drive businesses' innovation and service design and improve our city, its neighbourhoods and its success"
Underpinning this vision are two principal aims, supported by a set of goals that each defines the outcomes that we all want to achieve, and some of the key actions that we all commit to undertaking:
Our First Aim is:
"We want businesses across all of our sectors to realise the potential that digital provides, to stimulate innovation, and to establish Glasgow's tech sector as a top 20 global digital economy."
Our Second Aim is:
"We want Glasgow to be recognised as one of the most pioneering and innovative smart cities in the world, and we want to apply this innovation to transforming our public services."
A review of the progress made in delivering the strategy was published in November 2020. The review highlighted key successes and achievements, reflected on some of the challenges faced. Highlights include;
The review sets out the following next steps and priorities for 2021-2022;
Three working groups have been established with public, private, voluntary and academic sectors to foster a city-wide approach to delivering against some of the current priorities. The working groups are as follows;
The delivery of the Digital Glasgow Strategy is governed by the Digital Glasgow Board which in turn reports to Glasgow City Council's City Administration Committee.
More information about the Digital Glasgow Board, including Terms of Reference, Membership, and actual papers from the board can be found here.
Underpinning the whole of the strategy is a commitment to digital rights. Glasgow is a signatory of the Declaration of Cities for Digital Rights which includes the following five principles;
1. Universal and equal access to the internet, and digital literacy
Everyone should have access to affordable and accessible internet and digital services on equal terms, as well as the digital skills to make use of this access and overcome the digital divide.
2. Privacy, data protection and security
Everyone should have privacy and control over their personal information through data protection in both physical and virtual places, to ensure digital confidentiality,security, dignity and anonymity, and sovereignty over their data, including the right to know what happens to their data, who uses it and for what purposes.
3. Transparency, accountability, and non-discrimination of data, content and algorithms
Everyone should have access to understandable and accurate information about the technological, algorithmic and artificial intelligence systems that impact their lives, and the ability to question and change unfair, biased or discriminatory systems.
4. Participatory Democracy, diversity and inclusion
Everyone should have full representation on the internet, and the ability collectively to engage with the city through open, participatory and transparent digital processes. Everyone should have the opportunities to participate in shaping local digital infrastructures and services and, more generally, city policy-making for the common good.
5. Open and ethical digital service standards
Everyone should be able to use the technologies of their choice, and expect the same level of interoperability, inclusion and opportunity in their digital services. Cities should define their own technological infrastructures, services and agenda, through open and ethical digital service standards and data to ensure that they live up to this promise.
Glasgow's actions to deliver against these principles are set out here.
https://citiesfordigitalrights.org/city/glasgow