Human-centrism as a driver of economic development in the era of Industry 5.0

The study’s relevance was determined by the necessity to comprehend economic development within the context of global digitalisation, automation, and the implementation of artificial intelligence, where the principal focus was not on technical efficiency but on the human being, their values, well-being, and social resilience. The article aimed to provide a scientific justification of the concept of human-centrism as a driver of economic development in the era of Industry 5.0 and examine the specific features of its implementation within organisational, production, and societal practices. The research methods included a systematic approach to analysing literature sources, comparative analysis of the evolution of economic models, logical-structural generalisation of Industry 5.0 principles, and analysis of human-centric innovation practices based on ethical technology use and human-machine partnership. A conceptual-analytical method was also employed to distinguish value-based differences between industrial paradigms, particularly between Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0. The main findings demonstrated that human-centrism in the Industry 5.0 era was not merely a philosophical idea but a concrete managerial practice that established new interaction principles between innovative technologies and human potential. Within such an economic model, the human being was regarded not as an object of automation but as a creative partner in symbiotic human-machine systems. It was substantiated that the implementation of human-centric approaches positively impacted organisational productivity, innovativeness, and resilience, while also forming a foundation for the sustainable economic development of society. The study highlighted the necessity of integrating ethical norms, social responsibility, and a balance between efficiency and employee well-being during digital transformation. Particular attention was drawn to the challenges associated with the incomplete understanding of the human-centric concept at the organisational level, high implementation costs, and the need to continuously adapt human capital to shifting labour market conditions. The research findings may serve as a foundation for developing human-centric policy encompassing innovative technologies, support for inclusive and sustainable growth, labour market transformation, and governmental strategies under the conditions of Industry 5.0