How to adapt Society 5.0 and its development, including learning and developing some essential entrepreneurial skills?
What is Society 5.0?
Society 5.0 also known as the “Imagination Society” is an
ideal concept of the next society spearheaded by Japan. It is a society that focuses
on “problem-solving” and “value creation” by integrating digital technology to achieve
a sustainable development in society. People will be set free from the gap
caused by the monopoly on resources and information thus giving everyone a fair
chance to contribute to society to pursue the lifestyle they desire (Nakanishi,
2019).
How to adapt?
It is crucial for society to learn how to see beyond the
information given. Unlike society 4.0 where the emphasis is on information, society
5.0 requires people to constantly think about problems and come up with solutions.
There will be a need for people to learn higher-order thinking skills beyond
memorizing information as the meticulous process of creating knowledge from
information will be taken over by artificial intelligence (AI). (Nagy, 2019)
For example, problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and social creativity.
This is where education plays a huge role in the transition
between society 4.0 and society 5.0. It will be important for schools to incorporate
higher-order thinking skills in the syllabus from a young age to create a more
creative and curious society. Teachers will need to be equipped with soft
skills so they can guide students in the correct direction instead of teaching
students directly. It is important to help students realize the importance and
fun of learning leading them to walk on a path of continuous learning even
after leaving school. In addition, it is found that online learning
environments are also beneficial in the coming society 5.0. The use of visual
media as part of teaching has been proven to be useful in developing student’s
critical thinking skills (Lazo, 2014). This shows the importance of technology
in education.
Wallace Lee Kar Shing
A new civilization known as "society 5.0" is one
in which technological advancement prioritizes humanity and looks for
significant answers that will benefit people everywhere. The concept came from
Japan, which is a key center for innovative technology. Industry 4.0
technologies like Big Data, Internet of Things, self-driving vehicles, 3D
printing, and so forth are included into Society 5.0. With the help of
artificial intelligence, vast volumes of data collected through the Internet of
Things will be translated into "new wisdom," improving human
potential and enabling us to lead happier lives.
As technology evolves, business models grow, collapse, and
pivot. To proactively adjust to the disruptive shifts that technology provides,
we need to predict how the latest technological capabilities are going to
affect society and the direction in which society is moving. It is helpful to
study industry paradigm transformations, such as farming to industrial to
information era, as well refer to our present corporate environment as Industry
4.0, which is the fourth industrial revolution brought about by digital
technology. This is taken a step further with the Japanese concept Society 5.0,
which encompasses the notion of using modern digital technology to address
social issues such as inequities and an ageing population. In essence, a highly
intelligent civilization.
The sheer
pace of technological advancement in Society 5.0 demands a commitment to
lifelong learning. Entrepreneurs must be able to identify emerging technologies
and their potential impact on a particular field. For example, online courses,
hackathons and industry conferences can provide valuable avenues for continuous
learning. Besides that, the rise of automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
necessitates a focus on unique human skills. Although technology might able to
handle repetitive tasks, it cannot replicate human creativity, empathy and
critical thinking. (Duggal, 2024) Entrepreneurs have to hone their
design thinking abilities, allowing them to identify problems, develop innovative
solutions and adapt their business models based on user feedback. Additionally,
strong communication and collaboration skills become important. By building trust
with diverse teams and conveying ideas effectively, it can lead to a success in
a hyper-connected world.
Other than
that, Society 5.0 creates a global marketplace where it demands a shift in
perspective. It is essential for entrepreneurs to understand different
cultures, adapt marketing strategies to diverse audiences and navigate complex
regulations in a globalized environment. This helps to develop strong
intercultural communication skills and cultural intelligence. The
entrepreneurial spirit in Society 5.0 is not about simply starting a business anymore.
(Ziatdinov et al., 2024) However, it’s about cultivating a “problem-solving
mindset” that applies across various domains. As data becomes new currency,
entrepreneurs must consider the ethical implications of their ventures. For
example, it is crucial for them to build trust with customers through data
privacy and responsible AI use to achieve a long-term success.
Reference
Buchanan. (2022, January 10). Technology in the Workplace: The Importance, Benefits, and Advantages. Buchanan Technologies. https://www.buchanan.com/benefits-technology-workplace/
Carayannis, E. G., & Morawska-Jancelewicz, J. (2022). The Futures of Europe: Society 5.0 and Industry 5.0 as driving forces of future universities. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 13(4), 3445–3471. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-021-00854-2
Da Conceiçâo Tavares, M., Azevedo, G., & Marques, R. P. (2022). The Challenges and Opportunities of ERA 5.0 for a More Humanistic and Sustainable Society—A Literature Review. Societies, 12(6), 149. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12060149
Deguchi, A., Hirai, C., Matsuoka, H., Nakano, T., Oshima, K., Tai, M., & Tani, S. (2020). What is Society 5.0? In Springer eBooks (pp. 1–23). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2989-4_1
