STEM Education in Training the Digital Economy Specialists

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education is increasingly recognized as important in training professionals capable of working in the digital economy. The digital economy is generally perceived as an economic system in which the main economic processes (production, exchange, consumption) are organized using digital technologies, the Internet, and data. It is based on the use of electronic platforms, artificial intelligence, Big Data, cloud computing, blockchain, the Internet of Things, etc. Integrating STEM principles into educational curricula aims to foster IT innovation, problem-solving skills, and adaptability, which are essential for success in a technologically changing landscape, and accordingly, STEM education can be the foundation for successful undergraduate preparation in economics for the future. This article analyzes the possibility of training future economists through STEM education. The study is based on the use of theoretical methods of scientific knowledge: generalization and systematization of sources about STEM education, its impact on the development of professional competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities) of future economists; comparative analysis to study the international experience of using STEM education in the training of future specialists in the field of economics. It is shown that economics, in its essence, involves the analysis of complex systems, the interpretation of data, and the development of models for understanding and predicting economic behavior. These tasks require a solid foundation of quantitative and analytical skills, the formation and development of which are provided by STEM education. The article analyzes how integrating business principles into STEM education can contribute to developing entrepreneurship and skills in finding innovative solutions among students. It is concluded that incorporating digital technologies, cooperation between stakeholders, and a focus on continuous improvement will be key to increasing the effectiveness of STEM education in economic training and forming a skilled workforce capable of stimulating innovation and economic growth.