Responsible digitalisation
Birk Knut Astrup started his career as a developer, driven by the idea of building things from scratch. Today, he leads two teams working on critical systems for the Norwegian Medical Products Agency, helping modernise how medicines are managed and delivered. For Birk, responsible digitalisation is more important than ever before. Not just how systems are built, but how decisions are made, how teams work, and what role technology should play in society.
A curiosity shaped early
His interest in technology started at home.
Birk grew up hearing stories from his father, a self-taught technologist who worked in places like NRK, Norway’s national public broadcaster, and the National Museum. One story stayed with him, about his father being there when the internet was first connected. Birk isn’t entirely sure he believes it, but it made him curious about what was possible.
That curiosity led him to study Applied Computer Science at OsloMet. Initially drawn to graphic design, he found that programming offered something broader. It allowed him to combine creativity with logic and problem-solving.
Responsibility in every decision
Birk and his colleagues at the Norwegian Medical Products Agency are responsible for solutions that must be stable, secure, and accurate. There is little room for error, and no room for shortcuts. For him, this is where responsible digitalisation becomes concrete.
»I would say it’s exactly what we’re doing. It’s about being critical of how we approach digitalisation,« he explains.
That means asking questions early. What data is actually needed? How is it used? What are the consequences if something goes wrong?
»It’s about respecting people’s rights and being careful with data,« he says.
In practice, this often comes down to making deliberate choices, avoiding unnecessary complexity, limiting data collection, and ensuring that systems behave in predictable and transparent ways.
Technology that serves people
As technology becomes more embedded in society, Birk has become more aware of its reach.
»When I’m on the bus and see the screens, I start wondering how it’s programmed. What does the logic behind it look like?«
It’s a way of thinking that goes beyond curiosity. It reflects an understanding that digital systems shape how people move, work, and access services.
That is why responsibility cannot be added later. It has to be part of how systems are designed from the beginning.
Building with awareness
For Birk, responsible digitalisation comes down to awareness and accountability. Understanding the systems you build, the data you use, and the impact those decisions have on people. It is not about moving fast, but about building solutions that are secure, reliable, and trustworthy.
That mindset has stayed with him throughout his career. To stay curious. To understand how things work beneath the surface. And to take responsibility for the impact of what is built.
