TATuP – Zeitschrift für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie und Praxis
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Governance between ignorance and evidence: Technology assessment in the context of pandemic crisis management
Get PDFThis article examines the relationship between knowledge and ignorance in the context of crises and corresponding technological solutions. It focuses on the case of pandemic simulation models as a specific form of dealing with uncertainty, which marks a transition from classical risk management to algorithmically organized anticipation practices. The thesis of the paper is that technology assessment is affected by this development when it comes to reflecting on the normative premises and social and political implications of digital crisis technologies. This refers in particular to what is considered crisis-relevant knowledge in the first place, according to what logics it circulates, and what attributions and effects can be observed with regard to digital crisis technologies. Against this background, the paper discusses the relevance of social science knowledge as well as the role of deliberative practices in times of crisis.This article examines the relationship between knowledge and ignorance in the context of crises and corresponding technological solutions. It focuses on the case of pandemic simulation models as a specific form of dealing with uncertainty, which marks a transition from classical risk management to algorithmically organized anticipation practices. The thesis of the paper is that technology assessment is affected by this development when it comes to reflecting on the normative premises and social and political implications of digital crisis technologies. This refers in particular to what is considered crisis-relevant knowledge in the first place, according to what logics it circulates, and what attributions and effects can be observed with regard to digital crisis technologies. Against this background, the paper discusses the relevance of social science knowledge as well as the role of deliberative practices in times of crisis
Expectations toward science in times of crises: Impulses for technology assessment from two participation formats
Get PDFThe consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are an accelerator of profound socio-technical transformation processes. Science in general and technology assessment (TA) in particular can and should play an important role in investigating and evaluating these transformation processes and providing robust orientation and transformation knowledge for (political) decision makers and the public. Based on two online surveys “Social consequences of the corona crisis” and data from a citizens’ dialogue, this article examines the assessment of trust in and expectations of science on the part of the TA‑related community and civil society. Lessons for successful TA are synthesized on the basis of inductively derived thematic clusters, such as dealing with uncertain knowledge and ambiguity or the diversity of research approaches.The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are an accelerator of profound socio-technical transformation processes. Science in general and technology assessment (TA) in particular can and should play an important role in investigating and evaluating these transformation processes and providing robust orientation and transformation knowledge for (political) decision makers and the public. Based on two online surveys “Social consequences of the corona crisis” and data from a citizens’ dialogue, this article examines the assessment of trust in and expectations of science on the part of the TA‑related community and civil society. Lessons for successful TA are synthesized on the basis of inductively derived thematic clusters, such as dealing with uncertain knowledge and ambiguity or the diversity of research approaches
Book review: Tisch, Anita; Wischniewski, Sascha (2022): Sicherheit und Gesundheit in der digitalisierten Arbeitswelt
Get PDFModeling for policy: Challenges for technology assessment from new prognostic methods
Get PDFModeling for policy has become an integral part of policy making and technology assessment. This became particularly evident to the general public when, during the COVID-19 pandemic, forecasts of infection dynamics based on computer simulations were used to evaluate and justify policy containment measures. Computer models are also playing an increasing role in technology assessment (TA). Computer simulations are used to explore possible futures related to specific technologies, for example, in the area of energy systems analysis. Artificial intelligence (AI) models are also becoming increasingly important. The results is a mix of methods where computer simulations and machine learning converge, posing particular challenges and opening up new research questions. This Special topic brings together case studies from different fields to explore the current state of computational models in general and AI methods in particular for policy and TA.Modeling for policy has become an integral part of policy making and technology assessment. This became particularly evident to the general public when, during the COVID-19 pandemic, forecasts of infection dynamics based on computer simulations were used to evaluate and justify policy containment measures. Computer models are also playing an increasing role in technology assessment (TA). Computer simulations are used to explore possible futures related to specific technologies, for example, in the area of energy systems analysis. Artificial intelligence (AI) models are also becoming increasingly important. The results is a mix of methods where computer simulations and machine learning converge, posing particular challenges and opening up new research questions. This Special topic brings together case studies from different fields to explore the current state of computational models in general and AI methods in particular for policy and TA