The Special Session “Digital and Societal Transformations” took place during IEEE International Symposium on Technology and Society (ISTAS) 2021 on 31 October 2021.
As a “curtain raiser” event for next year’s ISTAS 2022 conference, “Digital and Societal Transformations,” this interdisciplinary panel considers the social impact of digital innovations like 5G in the contexts of privacy, security, socio-economic prosperity and cybercrime.
Click here to watch the recording of this special session.
Presenters:
Laurie Lau, APATAS, ISTAS2022 Chair, Organizing Committee
Luis Kun, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Center for Hemispheric, USA. Chairman IEEE- SSIT Distinguished Lecturer Program, Defense Studies at the National Defense University
T V Ramachandran, President, Broadband India Forum
Lennon Chang, ISTAS2022 Finance Chair, Monash University
T V Gopal, ISTAS 2022 Chair, Technical Programme Committee, Anna University
After a brief introduction of the ISTAS 2022 conference themes, moderator T V Gopal called on the first speaker, Lennon Yao-Chung Chang, who spoke of cybercrime in the era of 5G wireless technologies. Defining current types of 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, Chang discussed the potential benefits of smart cars, smart fridges and smart toilets. Gopal then introduced speaker Laurie Lau, whose talk explored the possibilities of 5G and even ‘6G’ technologies. T V Ramachandran then spoke to India’s approach to 5G development as an emerging nation. He attributed India’s rapid switch to 5G as coinciding with the urgent need for augmentation of social services, such as healthcare. Finally, Luis Kun’s remarks addressed the need for integration of digital healthcare and a humanitarian philosophy of technology. Kun discussed the lack of a holistic vision in current iterations of global healthcare. With the existence of “islands of excellence,” information is not shared globally, locally or even between agencies due to privacy concerns. Following the presentations, Gopal facilitated further discussion that made it clear 5G technologies and digitally integrated healthcare will be top of mind at ISTAS 2022, as well as a broader conversation about technology as a “change agent” for social transformation rather than another opiate.