Trust and technology: how digital confidence shapes global economic performance and sustainable development

Abstract This study investigates the impact of future technologies on the economy, quality of life, and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) contributions through the lens of trust. It aims to analyze the role of trust indicators in shaping socio-economic outcomes and their broader implications for sustainable development. The study uses Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) modeling to examine relationships between trust indicators—“cybersecurity,” “secure internet servers,” “internet shopping,” and “online access to financial account”—and key socio-economic dimensions. The analysis draws on data from the 2023 Network Readiness Index, covering 134 countries. The results identify “internet shopping” as a key driver of economic performance, while “secure internet servers” significantly influence quality of life and SDG contributions. The study also highlights the interdependent nature of trust indicators, emphasizing their collective influence on societal outcomes. This study makes two main theoretical contributions. First, it extends prior uses of the NRI by applying a BBN framework, which captures the conditional and systemic relationships between digital trust components—an advancement over linear or correlation-based models. Second, it contributes to the literature on digital trust by distinguishing how different trust indicators operate across multiple development dimensions rather than treating trust as a singular construct. Methodologically, the study demonstrates the value of BBNs for modeling uncertainty in global network readiness data. Practically, it provides decision-makers with an interpretable and adaptable tool for scenario planning and policy design in diverse digital contexts. The research underscores the transformative potential of digital trust as a lever for economic inclusion, improved well-being, and sustainable development.