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Models of Governance for a Socially Robust Development of Convergent Technologies

Models of Governance for a Socially Robust Development of Convergent Technologies. Kamilla Kjølberg The Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities, University of Bergen, Norway. CONVERGING TECHNOLOGIES. NBIC Nanotechnology Biotechnology Information technology

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Models of Governance for a Socially Robust Development of Convergent Technologies

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  1. Models of Governance for a Socially Robust Development of Convergent Technologies Kamilla Kjølberg The Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities, University of Bergen, Norway

  2. CONVERGING TECHNOLOGIES • NBIC • Nanotechnology • Biotechnology • Information technology • Cognitive sciences

  3. THE VISION OF NBIC: • ’Converging Technologies for Improving Human Performance’ • U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored: World Technology Evaluation Center (WTEC) - The nation's leading resource for international technology assessments • http://www.wtec.org/ConvergingTechnologies/

  4. Over the next 20 years synergies among converging NBIC technologies could allow such capabilities as: • Direct human brain/machine connections, which would transform work in factories, vehicle control and even enable new sports and art forms; • Computers and environmental sensors worn as part of everyday clothing, boosting personal awareness of health, potential hazards and even the location of desired local businesses; • A more robust, healthy, energetic human body that will be easier to repair when necessary; • Practically any structure will be made of tailored materials, able to adapt to changing situations and offer high energy efficiency while remaining environmentally friendly; • Medical technologies and treatments for many physical and mental disabilities, perhaps completely eradicating some handicaps such as paralysis or blindness.

  5. GOVERNING NBIC • Desirable technological achievements, but clearly major ethical and societal issues that need to be discussed • Uncertain impacts/Complexity in terms of higher order effects/Complexity with respect to values, Conceptualization of the future • Creates CHALLENGES FOR GOVERNANCE

  6. GOVERNING NBIC: Socially robust development of convergent technologies calls for: • inclusive governance, with dialogue and involvement in a civil society of well-informed and empowered citizens, stakeholders and scientists. • conceptual framing that allows main ethical and social challenges of convergent technologies to be appropriately addressed

  7. EXISTING REGULATION • No regulation today, but a few semi-official reports: • Europe: Converging Technologies and the Natural, Social and Cultural world • USA: Convergent technologies for improving human performance

  8. EXAMPLES OF MODELS • International Risk Governance Council (IRGC) White Paper on Nanotechnology • Post Normal Science (PNS) and extended peer community • Ongoing Normative Assessment (ONA) • Constructive Technology Assessment (CTA)

  9. International Risk Governance Council (IRGC) • Ortwin Renn and Mikail C. Roco • White paper on Nanotechnology • Four generations of risks (the two last CT) • Integrating risk-benefit assessment with assessment of risk perception • Corrective and adaptive approach

  10. Post Normal Science (PNS) • Silvio Funtowicz and Jerry Ravetz • When a policy issue is complex, decision stakes are high and facts are uncertain and/or in dispute • Extended peer community /public participation, also in the framing of the problem • Politicisation (values) of the policy discourse • Working deliberatively within imperfections

  11. Ongoing Normative Assessment (ONA) • Jean-Pierre Dupuy and Alexei Grinbaum • Complexity; we will be surprised • Time: Projected and occurring • A prophecy that is likely enough to be believed and desirable enough to want to realise

  12. Constructive Technology Assessment (CTA) • Johan Schot and Arie Rip • Methods for broader decision-making about science and technology in society (The Dutch policy Memorandum of 1984). • Public deliberation and feedback

  13. The CT- reports in light of the models • Uncertainty • Complexity and second order effects • Complexity and Values • The future • Democracy/ Inclusive governance/real involvement

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