Industry 5.0 emphasizes human collaboration with machines and cutting-edge technologies while adopting sustainable practices. Concurrently, Society 5.0 envisions a human-centric approach to address economic development and societal challenges by integrating physical and cyberspace. In the backdrop of unprecedented technological advancements leading to the emergence of Industry 5.0 and Society 5.0, there arises a critical need to scrutinize their objectives and the interplay between technological progress and societal well-being. Potential challenges include job displacement, privacy concerns, and environmental impacts, posing hurdles to their seamless coexistence. This chapter explores the evolving paradigms of Society 5.0 and Industry 5.0 while investigating their distinct yet interconnected goals and visions for the future. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for a balanced and vigilant approach to navigate the complexities of Industry 5.0 and Society 5.0, ensuring an inclusive, ethical, and sustainable future.
TopIntroduction
The 21st century has seen remarkable and unprecedented technological advancements, which have given rise to new ways of thinking that have reshaped the trajectory of both industry and society (Fukuyama, 2018). At the forefront stand two distinct yet interconnected visions – Industry 5.0 and Society 5.0. The former emphasizes human-centric, sustainable and resilient production systems (Alves et al., 2023), while the latter seeks to enhance the overall quality of life by leveraging technology for societal welfare (Fukuda, 2020). As these paradigms gain momentum, a critical examination of their objectives reveals a nuanced interplay between technological progress and societal well-being.
The historical periods of industrial revolutions are characterized by technological advancements, with each period being more advanced than the previous one. In the earlier days of the industrial revolution, the focus was primarily on mechanization (Hassoun et al., 2023), followed by electrification (Zhang & Yang, 2020) and later computerization (Xu et al., 2018). Now, with the industries moving into the fourth evolution, known as Industry 4.0, they are adopting both physical and digital technologies, particularly emphasizing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). This phase is marked by the integration of cyber-physical systems (Ryalat et al., 2023), the Internet of Things (IoT) (Tyagi et al., 2023), and artificial intelligence(Birajdar, 2023). Today, Industry 5.0 builds on the foundation of Industry 4.0, underscoring the importance of research and innovation in guiding the shift toward a sustainable, resilient, and more human-centric industry (Ivanov, 2023). This evolution promises unparalleled efficiency, productivity, and economic growth. However, a closer look unveils a problem – the very advancements driving Industry 5.0 introduce challenges that permeate into the fabric of society.
At the same time, the world is slowly but firmly making its transition from society 4.0 to society 5.0, known as the human-centered society(Del Giudice et al., 2023). Society 5.0 strives for the transformation of the digital landscape of society by completely digitizing it. The concept of super society comes into play as a counterbalance, highlighting the need for technology not just to advance but to enhance the overall well-being of society by returning humanity to the center of the world. It shifts the focus from mere technological progress to a broader concern of using these advancements to achieve sustainable goals while aligning with sustainable development principles (Alimohammadlou & Khoshsepehr, 2023). The inherent conflict between Industry 5.0's drive for automation and efficiency and Society 5.0's commitment to the welfare of individuals and communities unfolds in an area that requires thorough exploration.
As society and industry both undergo remarkable evolutions, it is imperative to deeply explore and understand the objectives of the phenomenon that is set to change our futures drastically. The exploration of the objectives from a standalone point of view will allow us to answer the ultimate question, “Can making things more automated and ensuring people's well-being go hand in hand?”. In pursuit of this clarity, this paper aims to not only explore their immediate objective but also their ultimate inherent effects on the world and people. Through careful analysis, this essay seeks to contribute valuable perspectives to the ongoing conversation about the role of technology in shaping our collective future.
The chapter is structured in such a manner that it explores the evolution of industry and society, focusing on Industry 5.0 and Society 5.0. It poses the following questions:
- 1.
What are the distinct objectives of Industry 5.0 and Society 5.0?
- 2.
What are the distinct objectives of Industry 5.0 and Society 5.0?
- 3.
What challenges emerge in achieving human-centric progress within the context of industry evolution, particularly in Industry 5.0?