XIX ISA World Congress of Sociology (July 15-21, 2018)

438

The Digital Revolution and Social Implications

RC23 Sociology of Science and Technology (host committee)

Language: English

The proposed session aims at discussing the social implications of the so-called 4^th industrial revolution characterized by the cyber physical systems (mainly, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence; Big Data),  which allow communication of digital equipment between themselves and/or with humans.
The extensive use of these technologies will bring about complete remodeling in the operationalization of economic and social systems, making them more autonomous, flexible and efficient, with low human intervention, affecting areas such as production, education, health, logistics, among others.  There is a consensus on the widespread impact of new digital technologies on the labor market. The rupture tends  to be dramatic since non-routine cognitive activities will also be eliminated. "Smart" robots will replace traditional workers and professionals, in different areas, from Medicine, Law, Engineering to drivers. As a consequence, a radical redefinition should take place in many aspects that guide social life today: from the value associated with the social place of employment (and unemployment), to the renegotiation of the social contract, including new forms of redistribution of wealth that supposedly should grow significantly, under the new technological environment.
The digital revolution can be seen as an impressive array of possibilities that could lead to better living conditions to human societies, as well as it may be viewed as a dangerous threat. The session aims at stimulating the debate among sociologists regarding their views and proposals regarding the "intelligent technologies" revolution. How will it change our world and how Sociology could contribute positively  in this debate?