Critical analysis of the cyber-physical society concept from a sustainability perspective

The active role of technology in our daily lives seems to have opened the door to a mechanical age, leading to changes in both society and human nature. Concepts such as Cyber-Physical Society and Society 5.0 aim to create a sustainable society while offering a human-centered vision for the future. This thesis aims to examine the relationship between the concept of Society 5.0 and sustainability. A thematic analysis focused on Society 5.0 has been conducted in this study, with these themes critically evaluated using discourse analysis methods. The analysis process investigates the role of sustainability within the vision of Society 5.0, the effects of technological advancements on social structures, and the ideologies that emerge in this context. In this regard, an interview with Makoto Gonokami, the head of the Hitachi Utokyo Laboratory where Society 5.0 was developed, and the article titled "What is Society 5.0?" have been analyzed thematically, and the findings have been utilized in the overall analysis of the thesis. The primary themes identified through the thematic analysis include human-centricity, data-centricity, globalization, technological change, and sustainable development. Examples have been provided regarding the impacts of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data, and robotic systems on society. Considering the criteria for environmental, economic, and social sustainability, the roles of strategies like renewable energy sources, circular economy, and smart cities have been analyzed. By focusing on the historical context of technology, the feasibility of a technologically advanced society and its relationship with sustainability have been discussed. As a result, it has been determined that the sustainability proposed by the vision of Society 5.0 is related to globalization and an ideologically capitalist perspective. It has been emphasized that the sustainability of a technological society is possible for the continuity of the sustainability of the technological society itself; however, achieving a more sustainable technologically advanced society requires social awareness, innovative policies and strategies, and global cooperation. Furthermore, it has been suggested that a new perspective should be developed for a more sustainable technological society, articulated through the concepts of Eco-Cognitive Cyber Integration.