Toward a human-centered energy transition: Concepts, models, challenges, and research opportunities

The digitalization of the global energy transition creates a paradox. Technologies such as AI and blockchain can support more efficient and flexible energy systems, but they can also hide the power relations behind their use. Drawing on a systematic synthesis of 54 empirical studies, this article questions the idea that digital technologies are neutral. We show that current research often overlooks the material footprint of digital infrastructure and the political asymmetries that shape who benefits from it. To address this gap, we propose a human-centered justice framework that links distributive, procedural, and recognition justice to restorative justice. This link is important for confronting ecological debt and the neo-colonial forms of extraction that support many digital supply chains. Our analysis suggests that, without a clear ethical direction, digital tools may reinforce “techno-saviorism” and deepen structural inequalities. We conclude by outlining the socio-technical conditions under which digital interventions can move from centralized control toward genuine community empowerment.