Digital skills are no longer just for programmers
20/04/26
“Today, almost every profession operates in a digital environment. Understanding digital systems, from algorithms to data visualisation, helps produce better results and interact more effectively with stakeholders.”
This observation by multimedia producer and digital advocate Anny Tubbs reflects a reality that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: digital skills are no longer confined to the tech sector. They are rapidly becoming a core competence across nearly all professions.
The European Commission has made this shift explicit. Under its Digital Decade strategy, the EU aims for at least 80% of adults to have basic digital skills by 2030, recognising that participation in modern society depends on them.
At the same time, over 90% of jobs already require at least a basic level of digital competence, a figure that continues to grow as industries digitise.
Beyond tech jobs: where digital skills matter
In practice, digital skills are now embedded in roles that were not traditionally considered “technical”. In journalism and media, professionals rely on data visualisation, multimedia production and digital storytelling to explain complex issues.
In advocacy and civil society, organisations use digital tools to analyse data, mobilise communities and communicate across borders.
Creative industries, too, increasingly depend on digital technologies – from animation and video editing to AI-assisted design. These shifts underline a broader trend: digital skills are not about replacing existing professions, but about transforming how they are practised.
From users to creators
Understanding how digital systems work changes the relationship people have with technology. “It allows us to move from being passive users of digital tools to becoming more reflective participants in the digital world,” Anny says. Even a basic grasp of how algorithms, data or digital platforms function can help individuals automate tasks, interpret information more effectively and create tools tailored to their needs.
According to the OECD, digital and computational skills are increasingly linked to higher productivity and better employment outcomes across sectors. As economies become more data-driven, these capabilities are no longer optional – they are foundational.
A growing opportunity – especially for women
At the same time, there is a clear gap – and opportunity – in the digital workforce. Women currently represent around 20% of ICT specialists in Europe, according to the European Commission.
As demand for digital skills continues to rise, encouraging more girls and women to engage with technology is not only a question of inclusion, but of economic necessity.
A skill for the future – and the present
The idea that coding is only for programmers no longer reflects reality. Digital skills now underpin how people communicate, solve problems and create value in almost every field.
Anny’s insight captures this shift clearly: understanding digital systems is not just a technical advantage – it is a way to engage more fully with the world.
In a society shaped by technology, those who can navigate and question digital systems are better equipped to contribute, innovate and lead.
