Connected Tech: Smart or Sinister?: A Call for Evidence from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport

Impact of increasingly prevalent smart technologies We think that these changes will result in better or worse futures will be determined in large part by what is prioritised in technological innovation, and to what extent (if at all), previously marginalised, silenced, and exploited voices become part of the conversation. Our major concern is that innovation for profit is incentivised over societal benefits. We recommend that the government incentivises innovation for societal benefit. Impact of smart technologies on different groups Increased risks, especially for the most vulnerable and marginalised in society Smart technologies can improve the lives of vulnerable people but at the same time pose more significant risks if not appropriately managed. Therefore, we advocate for more inclusive development of smart devices at every stage of the product lifecycle (e.g. design, testing, implementation and maintenance). For example, datasets used for training, testing, and validating smart technologies are developed for common use cases; taking into account underprivileged and diverse parts of the society is key to their successful and fair adoption. While some technological solutions can be developed especially for vulnerable groups, a recent example with eye implants showed there is no protection once a company decides to end its production. We also advocate for more research with diverse groups. Smart technologies are mainly developed for commercial purposes, meaning that they do not consider different people’s needs and appetite for adoption. Digital literacies and skills The government needs to take responsibility for equipping society with the skills needed to use smart technologies in a safe and efficient way (eg to manage their privacy settings or set up secure passwords). Essential Digital Skills Report 2021 showed that c.10 million (19%) of UK adults do not have fundamental digital skills (for example, be able to use a device, connect to a Wi-Fi network and cre