Digitalization of the Economy as a Direction of Scientific and Technological Development of the Country

Digitalization of the economy has ceased to be merely a technological trend – it has become the central vector of scientific and technological development of the 21st century, redefining the foundations of production, knowledge exchange, resource distribution, and capital formation. With the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, and quantum computing, a fundamental question arises: how can we ensure that digital transformation contributes not only to economic growth but also to social sustainability, inclusiveness, and ethical responsibility? This article analyzes the dual nature of digitalization – as both an object and a driver of innovation – and explores the conditions under which its potential can be fully realized. Special attention is paid to the transformation of capital in the digital age, emerging macroeconomic paradoxes, the role of state policy in shaping digital ecosystems, and the growing importance of human capital with an emphasis on creativity, digital literacy, and lifelong learning. Based on a systematic review of current studies and strategic documents of international organizations, it is shown that the success of digital transformation depends less on the availability of technologies than on the quality of institutions, education systems, and society’s ability to establish new norms under technological uncertainty. The article contributes to an interdisciplinary understanding of digitalization as a complex socio-technical process requiring synergy among science, policy, and economics.