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Unintended Side Effects of Digital Transition: Perspectives of Japanese Experts

Author

Listed:
  • Masahiro Sugiyama

    (Policy Alternatives Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku 113-0033, Japan)

  • Hiroshi Deguchi

    (Department of Computer Sciences, School of Computing, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan)

  • Arisa Ema

    (Komaba Organization for Educational Excellence, College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku 153-8902, Japan)

  • Atsuo Kishimoto

    (Institute for Datability Science, Osaka University, Suita-shi 565-0871, Japan)

  • Junichiro Mori

    (Policy Alternatives Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku 113-0033, Japan)

  • Hideaki Shiroyama

    (Policy Alternatives Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku 113-0033, Japan
    Graduate School of Public Policy (GraSPP), The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku 113-0033, Japan
    Graduate Schools for Law and Politics, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku 113-0033, Japan)

  • Roland W. Scholz

    (Department Knowledge and Information Management, Danube University of Krems, Krems 3500, Austria
    Department of Environmental Systems Sciences, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland)

Abstract

The core of the digital transition is the representation of all kinds of real-world entities and processes and an increasing number of cognitive processes by digital information and algorithms on computers. These allow for seemingly unlimited storage, operation, retrieval, and transmission capacities that make digital tools economically available for all domains of society and empower human action, particularly combined with real-world interfaces such as displays, robots, sensors, 3D printers, etc. Digital technologies are general-purpose technologies providing unprecedented potential benefits for sustainability. However, they will bring about a multitude of potential unintended side effects, and this demands a transdisciplinary discussion on unwanted societal changes as well as a shift in science from analog to digital modeling and structure. Although social discourse has begun, the topical scope and regional coverage have been limited. Here, we report on an expert roundtable on digital transition held in February 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. Drawing on a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, our discussions highlight the importance of cultural contexts and the need to bridge local and global conversations. Although Japanese experts did mention side effects, their focus was on how to ensure that AI and robots could coexist with humans. Such a perspective is not well appreciated everywhere outside Japan. Stakeholder dialogues have already begun in Japan, but greater efforts are needed to engage a broader collection of experts in addition to stakeholders to broaden the social debate.

Suggested Citation

  • Masahiro Sugiyama & Hiroshi Deguchi & Arisa Ema & Atsuo Kishimoto & Junichiro Mori & Hideaki Shiroyama & Roland W. Scholz, 2017. "Unintended Side Effects of Digital Transition: Perspectives of Japanese Experts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-20, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:12:p:2193-:d:120635
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    2. Maria José Sá & Sandro Serpa & Carlos Miguel Ferreira, 2022. "Citizen Science in the Promotion of Sustainability: The Importance of Smart Education for Smart Societies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-22, July.
    3. Albérico Travassos Rosário & Joana Carmo Dias, 2022. "Sustainability and the Digital Transition: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Roland W. Scholz, 2018. "Ways and modes of utilizing Brunswik’s Theory of Probabilistic Functionalism: new perspectives for decision and sustainability research?," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 38(1), pages 99-117, March.
    5. Konuk, Hızır & Ataman, Göksel & Kambur, Emine, 2023. "The effect of digitalized workplace on employees' psychological well-being: Digital Taylorism approach," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    6. Roland W. Scholz & Eric J. Bartelsman & Sarah Diefenbach & Lude Franke & Arnim Grunwald & Dirk Helbing & Richard Hill & Lorenz Hilty & Mattias Höjer & Stefan Klauser & Christian Montag & Peter Parycek, 2018. "Unintended Side Effects of the Digital Transition: European Scientists’ Messages from a Proposition-Based Expert Round Table," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-48, June.
    7. Scholz, Roland W. & Czichos, Reiner & Parycek, Peter & Lampoltshammer, Thomas J., 2020. "Organizational vulnerability of digital threats: A first validation of an assessment method," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 282(2), pages 627-643.

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