TATuP – Zeitschrift für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie und Praxis
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Navigating the future: Strategies for the long-term governance of socio-technical change
Full text linkLong-term governance (LTG) addresses complex, enduring socio-technical challenges such as climate change and nuclear waste management. It requires framework conditions that go beyond short-term political cycles and promote a culture of foresight and collective stewardship. In an analytical framework developed for LTG, four key elements are identified: reflexivity, anticipation, adaptation, and deliberation. Contributions to this Special topic provide insights into LTG approaches in different contexts, highlighting participatory mechanisms for democratic accountability and ethical decision making. The articles explore the complexity of LTG and the tension between long-term objectives and immediate political pressures, thus contributing to the advancement of LTG theory and knowledge base.Long-term governance (LTG) addresses complex, enduring socio-technical challenges such as climate change and nuclear waste management. It requires framework conditions that go beyond short-term political cycles and promote a culture of foresight and collective stewardship. In an analytical framework developed for LTG, four key elements are identified: reflexivity, anticipation, adaptation, and deliberation. Contributions to this Special topic provide insights into LTG approaches in different contexts, highlighting participatory mechanisms for democratic accountability and ethical decision making. The articles explore the complexity of LTG and the tension between long-term objectives and immediate political pressures, thus contributing to the advancement of LTG theory and knowledge base
‘Daseinsvorsorge’ as a care-based principle of transformation: Perspective toward a caring development of sustainable cities
Full text linkCities around the world are using smart city approaches to transform urban infrastructures toward sustainability. Critical academic studies of smart city projects often fail to integrate the aspect of care. Based on empirical evidence, I argue that öffentliche Daseinsvorsorge (public services provided to fulfil basic human needs) as a guiding principle of urban development can serve as a starting point for responsible research and innovation that considers questions of care. To do so, I first develop the concept of Daseinsvorsorge, which will serve as a critical lens to evaluate transformation projects from a perspective of care. Then I situate the concept in broader academic debates on responsible research and innovation (RRI) and technology assessment (TA). Furthermore, I propose Daseinsvorsorge as a concrete normative framework that reflects the role of municipal administrations and their responsibilities toward the citizens.Cities around the world are using smart city approaches to transform urban infrastructures toward sustainability. Critical academic studies of smart city projects often fail to integrate the aspect of care. Based on empirical evidence, I argue that öffentliche Daseinsvorsorge (public services provided to fulfil basic human needs) as a guiding principle of urban development can serve as a starting point for responsible research and innovation that considers questions of care. To do so, I first develop the concept of Daseinsvorsorge, which will serve as a critical lens to evaluate transformation projects from a perspective of care. Then I situate the concept in broader academic debates on responsible research and innovation (RRI) and technology assessment (TA). Furthermore, I propose Daseinsvorsorge as a concrete normative framework that reflects the role of municipal administrations and their responsibilities toward the citizens
Neuronal optogenetics as a new topic of technology assessment?
Full text linkThis article is intended as a sketchy reflection on the question of the extent to which neuronal optogenetics could become a future topic of technology assessment (TA). To this end, we must first take a closer look at what technologies should be the subject of TA and what tasks can be ascribed to TA. In addition, an exemplary and also sketchy examination is made of whether TA on genetic engineering has already dealt with questions that arise in connection with genetic interventions in neuronal optogenetics. In this way, it can be determined whether neuronal optogenetics raises new questions for TA or requires new answers from it. The results suggest that a TA of neuronal optogenetics is needed.This article is intended as a sketchy reflection on the question of the extent to which neuronal optogenetics could become a future topic of technology assessment (TA). To this end, we must first take a closer look at what technologies should be the subject of TA and what tasks can be ascribed to TA. In addition, an exemplary and also sketchy examination is made of whether TA on genetic engineering has already dealt with questions that arise in connection with genetic interventions in neuronal optogenetics. In this way, it can be determined whether neuronal optogenetics raises new questions for TA or requires new answers from it. The results suggest that a TA of neuronal optogenetics is needed
Modeling sustainable mobility: Impact assessment of policy measures
Full text linkSociologically based models of complex systems can help to estimate the impact of policy measures on individuals and explain the resulting system dynamics. Using the example of the Ruhr region and the mobility of the people living there, the article demonstrates the concept of agent-based modeling, which draws on assumptions from analytical sociology and distinguishes between different types of actors. Simulation experiments conducted as part of the InnaMoRuhr project show significant differences in the behavior of these types, especially in their response to policy interventions. Policymakers should take this into account when planning and designing measures aimed at sustainable transformation.Sociologically based models of complex systems can help to estimate the impact of policy measures on individuals and explain the resulting system dynamics. Using the example of the Ruhr region and the mobility of the people living there, the article demonstrates the concept of agent-based modeling, which draws on assumptions from analytical sociology and distinguishes between different types of actors. Simulation experiments conducted as part of the InnaMoRuhr project show significant differences in the behavior of these types, especially in their response to policy interventions. Policymakers should take this into account when planning and designing measures aimed at sustainable transformation
Meeting report: “Generative artificial intelligence – Opportunities, risks and policy challenges”. EPTA Conference, 2023, Barcelona, ES
Full text linkThe commission of crimes using autonomous weapon systems: Issues of causation and attribution
Full text linkToday’s military takes advantage of technological progress primarily through developments in the war industry. Of particular importance is the development and use of advanced autonomous weapon systems, which are changing the way conflicts are fought and redefining the basic strategies on the modern battlefield. The use of these systems raises ethical, philosophical, and legal questions about the relationship of causality and attribution that must exist between an act and its criminal result.Today’s military takes advantage of technological progress primarily through developments in the war industry. Of particular importance is the development and use of advanced autonomous weapon systems, which are changing the way conflicts are fought and redefining the basic strategies on the modern battlefield. The use of these systems raises ethical, philosophical, and legal questions about the relationship of causality and attribution that must exist between an act and its criminal result
(Re-)connecting academia during a sudden, global crisis
Full text linkThree years ago, the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic challenged academia just like any other societal field, while at the same time putting science center stage. Media attention tended to focus on particular disciplines, such as epidemiology and microbiology, and on individual, mostly local, experts. Based on the idea that science as a global, multidisciplinary community has something to offer society beyond the highly specialized output of individual research fields prepared for local, short-term perspectives, the Institute of Technology Assessment of the Austrian Academy of Sciences launched a spontaneous expert survey in June 2021 with a global and interdisciplinary aspiration, addressing three non-standard issues related to the pandemic and its management: side effects, opportunities, and preparedness. In this paper, we present our methodology and the results of our analysis. We conclude with a discussion of potential contributions of technology assessment in times of sudden, global crises.Three years ago, the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic challenged academia just like any other societal field, while at the same time putting science center stage. Media attention tended to focus on particular disciplines, such as epidemiology and microbiology, and on individual, mostly local, experts. Based on the idea that science as a global, multidisciplinary community has something to offer society beyond the highly specialized output of individual research fields prepared for local, short-term perspectives, the Institute of Technology Assessment of the Austrian Academy of Sciences launched a spontaneous expert survey in June 2021 with a global and interdisciplinary aspiration, addressing three non-standard issues related to the pandemic and its management: side effects, opportunities, and preparedness. In this paper, we present our methodology and the results of our analysis. We conclude with a discussion of potential contributions of technology assessment in times of sudden, global crises