Administrative processes should not be transitioned to digital format merely due to the trend of digitalization. - Ministration refrains from automating administrative tasks directly.
Digital Minister Calls for Comprehensive Public Sector Reforms for Effective Digitization
In a recent statement, Thuringia's Digital Minister, Steffen Schuetz, advocated for extensive reforms within the public sector's work processes to ensure efficient digitization. He emphasized the need for streamlining administrative procedures, adopting digital innovations, and fostering citizen-centric governance.
"The focus should be on the work processes themselves," said Schuetz, highlighting the importance of clarifying which regulations and reporting obligations are truly necessary, and what the state should provide, and what not. Such reforms are essential, according to the minister, to prevent the digitization of ineffective processes.
Thuringia, as evidenced by the Bitkom State Index 2024 and the Germany Index of Digitization 2023, lags behind other federal states in terms of digitization. The state scored 49.6 points in the former index, while the leading Hanseatic city of Hamburg achieved 73.5 points.
To address this issue, Schuetz has suggested several key strategies for the public sector's digitization. One such strategy is a citizen-centric and participatory approach. Thuringia is already leading the way in this regard by broadly deploying the central service number "115," available across the state, and providing citizens with direct access to government services, including digital offerings. The state also collaborates with local communities in planning urban development and digital transformation projects to ensure solutions meet citizens' needs.
Another strategy involves substantial investments in digital infrastructure. Schuetz urged the federal government to include digital sovereignty projects in its planned infrastructure fund of €500 billion, which would support the creation of independent digital infrastructures, open standards, and open-source solutions. This move would lessen the dependence on foreign tech giants, enhancing Europe’s digital sovereignty.
The adoption of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and chatbots is also central to Thuringia's digital strategy. AI is seen as a means to increase efficiency, optimize services, and foster innovation, particularly within the Mittelstand (SME sector). The government plans to pilot and implement chatbots across all districts to facilitate digital communication between citizens and authorities, making administrative processes more accessible and efficient.
Schuetz also stressed the importance of efficient use of digital tools and new work processes, such as digitizing administrative workflows to achieve faster response times and greater transparency. A commitment to digital sovereignty is also critical, resisting regulatory rollbacks that could undermine Europe’s technological independence.
In conclusion, effective public sector digitization in Thuringia requires a combination of citizen engagement, robust digital infrastructure, the integration of advanced technologies, and a commitment to open standards and digital sovereignty. These reforms aim to make administrative processes more efficient, transparent, and responsive to citizens' needs.
"In the pursuit of comprehensive public sector reforms, vocational training in the areas of digital infrastructure management and AI implementation could be integrated to enhance the state's technological capacity and ensure effective digitization. These training programs could be financed through business partnerships and collaborations, aligning with the minister's focus on digital sovereignty and lessening dependence on foreign tech giants."
"To foster a conducive business environment and attract investments in digital projects, the community policy should also consider creating a supportive regulatory framework that encourages innovation and technology adoption within the public and private sectors, while minimizing the digitization of ineffective processes."
