Human-centred innovation in Society 5.0

Abstract

In the context of rapidly evolving Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the past decade has witnessed the emergence of transformative concepts like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, Industry 4.0 and Society 5.0, where the latter focuses on the convergence of technology and human aspirations to shape the landscape of the future. Society 5.0 envisions a highly advanced and integrated society where technological innovations are seamlessly integrated into various aspects of life. Industry 4.0 represents a shift towards more agile, responsive, and technologically advanced manufacturing and production processes that have the potential to reshape entire industries, revolutionize supply chains, and create new business models, ultimately driving economic growth and innovation. Amidst the intricate amalgamation of the technological prowess of Industry 4.0 and the human-centric essence of Society 5.0, fostering social responsibility becomes an imperative aspect revolving around innovations that encompass the collective approaches adopted to address various societal challenges that create hindrances to incorporating human values in the deployment and development of this visionary framework. An all-inclusive, holistic approach with equitable access to all aspects of technology should be the primary focus to empower marginalized communities in society. Sustainability is another important facet of the dynamic framework that embodies a multidimensional framework to synergize innovations with ecological and societal equilibrium, drive environmentally conscious practices, and enhance resource efficiency. However, there exist several challenges like data privacy, algorithmic biases, interoperability, complex infrastructure, and unethical practices for the holistic implementation of Society 5.0. In conclusion, this chapter encapsulates the essence of human-centric innovation within the transformative scope of Society 5.0 and explores its contributions to the enhancement of quality of life, the cultivation of social responsibility, and the advancement of sustainability.