Dirk Helbing

This review article reflects on emerging societies using a data-driven, cybernetic governance approach. Such an approach implies great opportunities, but also considerable challenges and potential ethical issues, requiring scientific and pubic debate. We will start by discussing the role of the Internet of Things for cyber-physical systems and smart societies. After this, we will introduce converging technologies, which are able to connect information technologies with nano-, bio-, and other technologies. While these technologies are currently less known to the wider public, they can be game changers for societies. Among the possible applications, we will pay particular attention to the “Internet of Bodies” and to nano-neurotechnologies. The former can be used in the context of precision medicine, while the latter may eventually enable interactions with the real world just by thought. Both approaches use digital twins and have enormous opportunities , but the risks of accidental damage or intentional misuse are high. As it turns out, quantum technologies have further interesting implications, which may change emerging cybernetic societies as well. Last but not least we will discuss ethical issues and further challenges of cybernetic societies, leading to a call for action.

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