Philosophy of Digital Man and Digital Society - 2024

Practical Aspects of Implementing Digital Technologies as a Factor in Enhancing the Digitalized Society

The Creative-Innovative Potential of the Digital Individual as a Factor in the Development of a Digitalized Society

In the context of the transformation of contemporary society, digital technologies have intruded into our lives. Computers have learned to diagnose diseases, listen to us, and converse with us; they can produce high-quality prose, while robots scurry about warehouses and drive vehicles with minimal or no human intervention. Many of these capabilities once seemed unattainable to digital technologies, yet suddenly, everything has changed. How did this transformation occur? What are the potential implications of this remarkable progress, now often taken for granted?

Consider the examples: for years, we studied the impact of digital technologies such as computers, software, and information-computer networks, believing we understood their possibilities and limitations. Yet, in recent years, these technologies have begun to surprise us, leading to the continuous formation of new strategies for the economy of Ukraine in this modern age.

Today, one can travel in a driverless car; witness a computer defeating teams from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in a game of "Jeopardy!"; train an industrial robot by guiding it by the wrists; touch a beautiful metallic sphere printed on a 3D printer; and engage in countless exhilarating encounters with groundbreaking technologies.

Overall, digital technologies enable us to perform any task—from mathematical problems to logic and language. Computers can translate from one language to another, and instant translation tools have been introduced, allowing us to comprehend any language. The most recent realm witnessing the rapid acceleration of digital development is robotics—the creation of machines that can move and interact with the physical environments of factories, warehouses, battlefields, and offices. Here, we observe progress that began incrementally and has now accelerated dramatically, even shaping a society governed by artificial intelligence.

Experts in robotics have recognized the immense difficulty of creating machines that can match the skills of even the least trained workers; the advent of functional, beneficial artificial intelligence (AI) has connected most people on the planet through a shared digital network. Advances in computer vision enable simultaneous tracking of vehicles on roads, mapping, and solving many fundamental issues. Digital technologies are restoring hearing to the deaf with cochlear implants and may even return sight to the blind; implants are also being distributed to paralyzed individuals and those who use wheelchairs.

Artificial intelligence not only enhances lives but can also save them. Each of these achievements fundamentally alters our growth potential. We are firmly convinced that the robotics market stands on the brink of an explosion. The exponential growth of information within an information society and globalization leads to staggering figures that stretch beyond our comprehension. Exponential information serves as a vital source for new branches of science; it represents a second fundamental force in shaping the "second machine age" by driving innovative activity, a hallmark of developing management strategy models amidst digital transformation.

Today, individuals in the digital society, equipped with connected smartphones or tablets from any corner of the globe, have access to abundant resources for information and communication; they can participate in online courses and interact with the foremost representatives of academia. It is no exaggeration to assert that billions of people will soon possess a personal printing press, a reference library, a school, and a computer all in their hands. It is these new digital technologies, deemed "extraordinary," that foster economic growth, digital well-being, and accelerate the typical trajectory of economic advancement, cultivating an innovative information society in a post-capitalist (post-COVID) era.

Progress and prosperity during the times of developing modern technologies and globalization, driven by new ideas and innovations, help address pressing issues, enhance the quality of our lives, and make our existence on this planet easier. Thus, the advancement of digital technologies is exceedingly positive. The power of recombinatorial innovations will propel human progress, as the second machine age described by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee will significantly exceed all that has come before.

The processes of transforming contemporary society are based on the extensive implementation of new information technologies realized through the Internet. In the context of globalization, the national state ceases to function as the sole subject that monopolistically integrates the interests of large communities and represents them on the international stage. Transnational corporations, with their multi-ethnic populations, international trade unions, non-governmental organizations, and informal groups formed around diverse interests emerging from the World Wide Web—specifically, the Internet and artificial intelligence—play an increasingly significant role in the global economy.

The emergence of a mega-society of globalization and an interconnected world presents humanity with the acute challenge of managing global development. Contemporary global civilization is called to address the paramount task of ensuring digital governance on unprecedented scales—horizontally across the planet and vertically across all organizational levels, from local to global.

In the early 21st century, the following trends can be observed in the development of digital technologies: 1) the widespread deployment of distributed systems; 2) integration with mobile (cellular) and satellite communication systems, which has led to the emergence of IP telephony; 3) the convergence of the global network and mass media—the development of interactive television and electronic publications; and the implementation of predictive self-learning systems based on logic methods, neural networks, and genetic algorithms (the fourth generation of artificial intelligence systems). Accordingly, digital technologies, as a global trend in the development of informationalism and network society, represent a global computer network that unites numerous local networks—millions of computers across the planet—for the purpose of data exchange and access to shared informational resources.

The analysis conducted reveals that the Internet has facilitated the formation of cyberspace—a term that encompasses a range of concepts (cyberculture, virtual reality, hypertext, network communication, information society, network society, "knowledge society," and others) through which we now interpret the profound changes in the structures of human communicative experience, which have prompted the intensive development of digital information technologies in the last decades of the 20th century. "Each of these achievements, individually, would fundamentally change our growth potential. In combination, they are the most significant developments since the Industrial Revolution, which forever altered the nature of physical labor."

We have recently witnessed significant advancements in natural language processing, machine learning—the capacity of computers to automatically adjust their methods and improve outcomes as more data becomes available—computer vision, simultaneous tracking of vehicles on roads, and the resolution of many other fundamental challenges. Digital technologies are also restoring hearing to the deaf through cochlear implants and are likely to restore sight to the blind. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently approved a first-generation retinal implant. The benefits of artificial intelligence extend even to paralyzed individuals, as wheelchairs can now be controlled by thought. These achievements are almost miraculous; however, they remain in the early stages of development.

The penetration of modern telecommunications networks into broad segments of the population in both the developed world and developing countries stimulates unique processes of collaborative production of goods and services, while also enhancing the level of economic and social freedom for millions. Today, the foundations are being laid for the formation of a unified global information space that unites all humanity into a community of information. Our innovative ideas will help address pressing issues, improve the quality of our lives, enable us to live more easily on this planet, and assist us in caring for one another within the context of a digital society and globalization, which are fostering the transformation of contemporary society.

The practical aspects of implementing digital technologies as a means of enhancing a digitized society revolve around the interpretation of concepts such as "innovation," "innovative society," "innovative-informational society," "creative-innovative potential of the individual," "creative-innovative potential of society," and "creative-innovative potential of organizations." Innovations serve as the key to the survival of organizations, enterprises, and individuals competing in the market, necessitating a focus on creativity and advanced human potential as manifestations of their ontology, social context, and mentality.

The integration of digital technologies as a factor in the enhancement of a digitized society occurs thanks to innovative activities in the realm of economic production. This encompasses a set of organizational, research, technological-innovative, educational, financial, and other measures that collectively lead to commercial success, attract an increasing number of innovative talents, and create a creative-innovative potential capable of merging the synergy of science and technology, the state and education, entrepreneurship and digital progress.

The concept of a "digital society" is grounded in information, innovation, and knowledge that are implemented in the practice of innovative activity. At its core lies the large-scale utilization of intellectual and creative resources based on innovative creativity and creative methods, alongside new knowledge and technologies. The primary objective is to implement innovative scientific research and design developments, as well as to utilize startups for the establishment of an innovative-informational society, which facilitates the development of a digital economic paradigm aimed at addressing scientific, technical, and organizational-economic challenges.

To implement digital technologies as a means of enhancing a digitized society, it is essential to cultivate knowledge that enables the creation of new software products for clients, representing business values previously absent, and to foster the creative-innovative potential of enterprises, which entails the ability to organize and transform production activities, converting knowledge into innovations. Software developers transform information into knowledge and subsequently into innovations that emerge from intellectual endeavors. A significant portion of this work is creative, with only a small fraction being purely technical.

The digital model of an innovative society represents a collection of information about various organizational processes grounded in informatics, the theory of information models and systems, cybernetics, software, the implementation of information and communication technologies, conceptual theories of algorithms, mathematical multimodelling and multiconstruction, and artificial intelligence modeling. These elements are intrinsically connected to the study and application of information technology, as well as the design and effective use of information and communication technologies that impact innovative development. Innovations based on new ideas are manifested through a network of digital devices operating on an incredible array of software aimed at advancing a society of artificial intelligence.

Creativity, as a concept within an innovative-informational society, is a crucial component in the creation of values derived from knowledge, characterized by the ability to break away from templates and offer novel responses based on information. The cultivation of creativity requires accessibility to knowledge and information, as well as a group of motivated employees possessing a broad array of knowledge, skills, and practical abilities essential for generating creative ideas.

In order to implement digital technologies as a factor in enhancing a digitized society, it is necessary to develop the creative-innovative potential of individuals, which represents a complex and contradictory process, constituting a complex adaptive system. This system consists of numerous subparts or substructures that interact within defined limits and are capable of evolving based on personal experiences. Society demands new means of influencing the innovative-creative potential of individuals: governance structures, technologies, incentive systems, institutions, and values. For example, developing countries have embraced mechanisms of decentralization, market incentives, and entrepreneurial dynamics, alongside an increasing information-investment component as a factor in the growth of national technological progress, fostering creative development of individuals and their motivation. Contemporary Ukrainian society stands at a pivotal point in its historical journey, facing a long road ahead in resolving complex issues with a focus on innovative pathways of development.

An analysis of global trends toward sustainable development based on digital trends indicates that digital organizations are transitioning from digital transformation to human-centered transformation. In 2022, forward-thinking companies will consider not only digital transformation but also the implementation of initiatives that integrate experienced customers and employees. Furthermore, technology leaders will prioritize investments in strategic partnerships and innovative practices. IT companies are reporting a slow shift towards a "future talent" strategy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the active utilization of corporate cloud services as companies expand their digital presence and create new products. Firms are striving to enhance cloud efficiency while achieving effectiveness, competitiveness, and creating new values, as cloud technologies will occupy a central role in corporate infrastructures. Enterprises will undergo refactoring alongside their strategies to facilitate increased efficiency and sustainable digital development. Cloud technologies extend beyond technological domains, including big data, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things. According to Forrester, the shortage of chips will contribute to a general market growth of 10-15%. The issue of the chip shortage will not be resolved until mid-2023, and devices within the Internet of Things will be even more adversely affected.

The digital realm hosts a multitude of "smart" products based on IoT, such as household appliances and vehicles. Investments in "smart" infrastructure are projected to grow by 40%, according to Forrester. Drawing on significant governmental expenditures for intelligent infrastructure aimed at post-pandemic recovery in the U.S., EU, and China, urban planners will share priority initiatives that ensure citizens are connected to the Internet while addressing healthcare challenges and the development of vital resources. Reports from Forrester indicate that IT companies will incorporate cyber insurance policies into contracts to cover third-party expenses related to breaches.

As organizations attract new suppliers or engage in contract sales with existing third parties, they will necessitate a specialized cyber insurance policy, designating them as beneficiaries—an essential component of the supply chain. IDC has identified the ten foremost trends in the IT market for the coming years. Digital technologies have become a permanent and dynamic element of our world, and the ICT sector itself is poised to undergo significant transformation in the near future. IT directors must cultivate collaborative teams focusing on procurement, development, and operational work. These teams should align with the provided technology models under the principle of "as a service," prioritizing end results.

Here are the ten most critical IT forecasts that enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and the creation of new values:

1. Integrating Digital Approaches to Customers and Operations: By 2024, companies transitioning to digital technologies will deliver a responsive customer experience and resilient operational models by shifting 70% of all expenditures to technology and services based on the "as a service" model, as well as an outcome-oriented approach. These investments are essential to support diverse scenarios for attracting customers and integrating operations into their IT technologies, which are built upon data utilization.
2. New Foundations for Cloud Technologies: By 2023, 40% of companies will restructure their cloud product selection processes, emphasizing business outcomes over IT requirements. The management, optimization, and protection of diverse cloud resources and data arrays will represent critical operational tasks for IT firms.
3. Governance Becomes a Primary Challenge for IT Teams: By 2023, 80% of companies will employ AI-supported cloud services to manage, optimize, and protect resources and data. Unfortunately, 70% of companies have been unable to achieve full potential due to a mismatch in the skill sets of IT professionals and the limited number of highly qualified personnel in the IT sector, coupled with the active poaching of successful employees from smaller to larger businesses.
4. The Service Model Principle Becomes Ubiquitous: By 2022, 40% of IT budgets in large companies will be redistributed through the implementation of integrated service packages based on this principle in areas such as security, cloud platforms, virtual work environments, and communication.
5. Anticipated Systemic Technological Transitions: By 2026, company leaders facing systemic or other transitions will invest in the development of new IT tools but will struggle to achieve the necessary sixfold increase in operational efficiency. IT organizations working with clients across various sectors are advised to consider how multiple systemic changes—related to 5G networks, electric vehicles, or blockchain—will impact technological plans and business priorities.
6. Automate and Augment: By 2024, 70% of companies will realize twice as significant returns on their technology investments by expanding the engagement of employees and customers, aligned with investments in automating individual processes. The greatest effectiveness will arise from comprehensive efforts aimed at enhancing the experience and decision-making activities for customers, patients, students, and regular workers.
7. Data Management Creates Both Problems and Opportunities: By 2025, regional differences in requirements for privacy, security, data placement, utilization, and disclosure will compel 80% of businesses to restructure their data management processes, operating autonomously. Successful companies will leverage digital sovereignty for new investments in resource and data management strategies, as well as IT automation projects.
8. Reconceptualizing Digital Experience: By 2023, 50% of multinational companies will allocate half of their expenditures to new technological equipment and communications, as well as to the modernization and rethinking of customer and employee interaction experiences. Companies optimizing digital technologies across sectors such as work, health, and entertainment will gain long-term advantages in attracting and retaining customer loyalty and opportunities for expanding their base.
9. Sustainable Development Becomes Reality: By 2025, digital sustainability teams will emerge in 60% of countries, tasked with evaluating, certifying, and coordinating the use of data and analytical platforms for sustainable business and IT development. By 2024, new tools, data, and data analysis will simplify the establishment of significant sustainability goals; however, achieving business and regulatory objectives will still pose a challenging endeavor for large enterprises.
10. Data Oversight Requires Scrutiny: By 2025, the cost assessments of public companies will serve as the foundation for confidence in the proper and effective utilization of data, akin to financial oversight, leading to increased spending on data-oriented solutions. IT leaders must prioritize selecting technology and service partners based on their ability to address the most critical business challenges. Thus, all these processes are made possible through the deepening of digital transformation in economics, education, culture, and tourism, within the context of implementing specific programs that enhance education and shape new cultural parameters—innovative, algorithmic, and creative—radically altering the nature of work and impacting all facets of human existence in the context of humanity's evolution toward its digital dimension, which will function amid the global challenges of civilization.