29th of October 2024 – Dublin, Ireland   

The TechConnect Consortium of partners meets in Tallaght University Hospital to define leading case studies and design the research scope to produce a human-tech index.  

The €3 million Horizon Europe project has the ambition to change how digital solutions are built, bought and applied starting with healthcare. Advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, hold significant promise for alleviating humans from what are commonly referred to as “the 4 Ds”: Dull, Dirty, Dangerous, or Dear tasks. However, there is a pressing concern that, as humans are transformed into mere caretakers or servants of machines, the true potential of human skills to contribute organisational and societal value may be compromised. 

Understanding the interplay between human skills and technological advancements is crucial in navigating the future of work and ensuring that technology serves to enhance, rather than undermine, human potential. The TechConnect project seeks to address these critical issues by exploring the concept of Human-Tech Skill Complementarity, aiming to foster a synergistic relationship between humans and technology in the evolving digital landscape. 

Bringing together key partners for collaborative growth   

The session hosted by Trinity College Dublin and Tallaght hospital in Dublin brought together over 20 consortium members and stakeholders, including representatives from nine key partners: Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Mälardalen University (MDU), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Universiteit Utrecht (UU), Tallaght University Hospital (TUH), Region Västmanland Hospital Västerås (RV), Hospital Ramon y Cajal (FIBIRYCIS), University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU), and strategic consultancy BluSpecs. 

During this event, the consortium members engaged in comprehensive discussions to analyse the plans and tasks, and ambitions of the project. This collaboration ensured all members were aligned and understood their contributions to the project, allowing them to set ambitious goals for the initiative.   

Exploring healthcare innovations at Tallaght University Hospital   

Leading professors, researchers, hospital managers, technology providers met to define 12 case studies to measure the factors behind adoption and rejection of technologies across occupation levels in the four host hospitals in Dublin, Madrid, Utrecht and Västmanland.  

Hospital Ramon y Cajal (FIBIRYCIS), Region Västmanland Hospital Västerås (RV), University Medical Centre Utrecht (UMCU), and Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) explored the pioneering use of predictive models, robotics, and other technological solutions as and presented selected cases within their own locations. 

The TechConnect consortium counts on the involvement of various stakeholders, including technology providers, government bodies, hospital management, staff, employee associations, and patient groups in the delivery of this cutting edge project.  

The TechConnect approach adopts a systems-level perspective, examining the effects of technology use not just at the user-task level but also considering its reflective and complex impacts across the entire system, including the interrelated roles of users, teams, and departments. 

Setting a course for action   

The project will achieve in the next 3 years the development of a set of key systems, tools and groundbreaking methodologies to include: 

• A Human-Tech Skill Complementarity Conceptual Framework: Unique unit of theory that applies to tech-human complementarity supported by 3 annual cross-sectoral reports.   

• A Human-Tech Skill Complementarity index: An assessment method for identifying diagnoses and assess human-tech complementarity based on 12 case studies, 4 locations, and 3 occupational groups   

• A Human-Tech Skill Complementarity Strengthening model: A validated predictive model for tech developers and tech adopters based on 12 factoral experiments   

• A Human-Tech Skill Complementarity toolkit: A toolkit with guidelines, examples and tools for tech adopters, policy makers and tech developers based on 25 business cases defined, 6 sectors and 3 ESCO professional occupation groups covered   

This collaborative effort fosters partnerships with technology associations, professional groups, and government entities. Grounded in the research-informed, evidence-based and practice-driven approaches, TechConnect will make a meaningful impact on the quality of employment and competitiveness, contributing to social and economic resilience. The collective efforts of the consortium are geared towards disseminating findings and recommendations widely, with the ultimate goal of influencing policy and practice for inclusive growth in the digital landscape. 

Paving the way for a competitive technological future   

TechConnect stands at the forefront of a transformative initiative aimed at redefining the intersection between advanced digital technologies and human skills. By leveraging comprehensive cross-sectoral industry landscape surveys and conducting in-depth case studies within healthcare organisations, we are committed to validating our findings across various sectors. This collaborative effort not only enhances Europe’s competitiveness but also establishes a robust foundation for future advancements. 

Our definition of a working model serves as a vital tool for social and policy researchers, facilitating large-scale assessments and analyses across diverse technologies and industries. By addressing the Productivity Paradox, we aim to provide compelling evidence that will encourage investment and foster development in further studies and technological innovations. 

The practical and applied approach of TechConnect is designed to deliver tangible impacts on quality employment and overall competitiveness. Our objective is clear: to support the creation of high-quality jobs, drive productivity enhancements, and promote competitiveness, all while ensuring that the societal benefits of technology are accessible to everyone.  

Together, we are not only embracing the future of technology but also ensuring that its benefits are shared widely, paving the way for a sustainable and prosperous digital economy in Europe.