Society 5.0 beyond ESG, CSR and AI revolution

Society 5.0 is a concept that was initially introduced by the Japanese government as part of its 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan. It symbolises the next stage in the progression of human societies.

In the era of rapid technological evolution, Society 5.0 presents a new paradigm, providing solutions to many pressing social issues while promoting greater quality of life and sustainability.

Unlike previous societal stages, which were primarily defined by industrial and technological development levels, Society 5.0 integrates cyberspace (virtual reality) and physical space (real world) to advance both economic growth and resolve various social problems.

Here’s a brief outline of how societies have evolved:

1. Society 1.0 (Hunter-Gatherer Society): This was characterised by survival via hunting and gathering.
2. Society 2.0 (Agrarian Society): Emerged with the advent of agriculture and settled life.
3. Society 3.0 (Industrial Society): Marked by mechanisation and industrial development.
4. Society 4.0 (Information Society): Brought about by the digital revolution, internet, and information technology.

Each society marked an evolution in how people live, work, interact, and solve problems.

Now we’re transitioning into Society 5.0 - also known as “Super Smart Society”.

This society represents a blend between cyberspace (virtual) and physical space (real world) to improve societal issues like aging populations or shrinking labor forces.

Key characteristics include:

• Integration of Digital & Physical Worlds: Combining real-world experiences with advanced technologies such as AI, IoT(Internet of Things), Big Data, Robotics etc., to build a more comfortable society where various social challenges are resolved by incorporating the technological advancements into our daily life.
• Personalised Services: In this new society, services will be tailored to individual needs to increase satisfaction levels amongst all citizens.
• Resolving Social Issues: With technological advances, Society 5.0 aims at resolving various social issues like population decline, infrastructure maintenance, healthcare management etc.
• Achieving SDGs: By leveraging digital technologies for sustainable growth and solving societal issues, it aligns with achieving Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
• Centrality of Human Well-being: Despite its strong focus on technology integration for problem-solving, Society 5.0 puts humans at its core aiming for a human-centric community where everyone can lead a high-quality life filled with comfort and vitality.

Social inclusion will be one of the biggest challenges as well opportunities as we transform towards society 5.0. Technologies such as AI-powered translation tools break down language barriers that have historically divided societies, fostering mutual understanding among people from different linguistic backgrounds. Robotic assistance devices enable disabled individuals or senior citizens lead self-reliant lives removing barriers towards their full participation in society.

Unlike previous societal stages, which were primarily defined by industrial and technological development levels, Society 5.0 integrates cyberspace (virtual reality) and physical space (real world) to advance both economic growth and resolve various social problems.

Society 5.0 portrays the future where advanced technological solutions are seamlessly integrated into our society to make our lives more comfortable while addressing pressing societal challenges.

The future for humanity holds an abundance of hope, boundless opportunities, and exciting advancements. As we step forward into the next era, technological innovation will continue to revolutionise our lives, empowering us to reach new heights never imagined before.

We’ll see smarter cities, cleaner energy sources, and advanced healthcare technologies that could extend not just the length but also the quality of human life. Education will be more accessible than ever before, fostering a world filled with knowledge and understanding.

Indeed, challenges lie ahead but remember - they are just catalysts for innovation and progress. The human spirit has always thrived on overcoming adversities; it’s what shapes our resilience and fuels our drive towards better days, years and centuries to come!

Viraj Meena, 2023

#ESG #CSR #social #digitaldivide Australian Institute of Company Directors #society #culture

Credits: The images in this article were created using AI with simple prompt future of society (AI engines include Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, Artbreeder, and DALL-E)