State Secretary Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) wants to appoint a separate ‘interpreter for digitalization’ in each municipality, who will assess the need for problems in the municipality in question and report to Vienna. From there, workshops are offered based on needs.
There was long speculation, but it became known at the beginning of March. Florian Tursky is resigning as State Secretary for Digitalization as part of his candidacy for mayor of Innsbruck. Politically, his agenda was transferred to the other state secretary of the ÖVP and to another great young hope, Claudia Plakolm. Formally, this transfer requires an amendment to the law on federal ministries, which comes into force on May 1 – and has not stopped the Upper Austrian from getting to work.
About five weeks later it announced its first digital motto: the so-called “Digi-Interpreters”. “Together with the Association of Cities and Municipalities, we are looking for a digital interpreter for every location in Austria. An interpreter speaks at least two languages, for example translating from Italian to German and vice versa. And that is precisely the task of our digital interpreters: they must explain the digitization in such a way that everyone understands it and be our contact person who reports back if there are problems with the digitization on site,” says the State Secretariat.
In concrete terms, this means that, for example, the elderly are explained how to use the touchscreen mobile phone, or the functions of ID-Austria, up to the basics of artificial intelligence. The ‘interpreters’ are supposed to research the digital needs in the communities and then report them to the federal capital. Depending on their needs, the municipalities are then offered a workshop free of charge. “But I also think it is very important that there is always an analogue process or appropriate support, especially for elderly people who have difficulty with the digital process,” the State Secretary explains.
Proprietary information for interpreters
“Anyone who somewhat identifies with the subject of digitalization, who is well connected in their community and would like to bring the subject into their community” should be able to become an interpreter. Naturally, these are also provided with the relevant information. Interested parties can simply contact the municipalities and mayors must set up a corresponding contact point.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
