Clarifying Digital Terms. NATO StratCom COE Terminology Working Group
Clarifying Digital Terms. NATO StratCom COE Terminology Working Group

Author(s): Neville Bolt, Leonie Haiden, Julian Hajduk, Elīna Lange-Ionatamišvili, Gundars Bergmanis-Korats, Giorgio Bertolin, Robert Hobbs, Louise Marie Hurel, Charles Kriel, Federico Lucidi, Sanda Svetoka, Johannes Wiedemann
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Language and Literature Studies, Economy, Theoretical Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Sociology, Lexis, Sociolinguistics, Social Informatics, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
Published by: NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence
Keywords: Digital technologies; digital terms; terminology; big data; learning machines; glossary; common vocabulary;
Summary/Abstract: Digital technologies and means of communication have become a central part of politics and social organisation. The role of AI, big data, and machine learning is growing, as are ethical, privacy, and security concerns which these technologies bring with them. The purpose of this glossary is to encourage the use of precise and simple language that bridges the terminological divide between policymakers, soldiers, tech companies, academics, and programmers. It is at the intersection of their respective fields, that digitalisation’s potential for positive change as well as ensuing challenges can be recognised and addressed. Sharing a common vocabulary is the first step. As digitalisation continues to transform our societies, it has also influenced the language used to describe this process. Terms related to the developments and possibilities brought on by digitalisation can seem confusing. Digital vs. cyber vs. online, AI and machine learning lack distinction in popular usage and understanding. An additional layer of complexity is added by the multiplicity of language communities that exist in this field: from programmers and computer scientists, to communicators, politicians, militaries, academics, and the general public.

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