4. Hyperconnectivity, Digitization and Technology Acceptance It is too soon to predict the impact of technological innovation on sustainable development, particularly when looking at the greenhouse gas emission created by data centers. Yet it is clear that the lifestyle and societal benefits of technological innovation come with significant potential risks to sustainability, social cohesion, and privacy – not least when it comes to mass surveillance or social media manipulation. Consider AI algorithms, for instance. A ‘black box’ algorithm is one where we don’t understand why the algorithm works the way it does. By contrast, ‘white box’ algorithms are those we can clearly understand – both in terms of how they work When looking at energy-led and what factors influence them. transitions, we also need to observe Black box algorithms are simply too the impact of technologies, unpredictable – and thus too risky. resources, and pollutants on the To avoid unintended consequences, ‘rebound effect’. This describes the market fixing, or backroom effect whereby using renewable manipulation, we need to transition energy sources creates risk in new towards a white box future for AI, unforeseen areas. Such risks may among other criteria including ethical negate the potential sustainability design, privacy considerations and benefits from improving another area secure data storage. of the value chain. Another potential risk is the lack of An example of a rebound effect skills to maintain and manage these includes for instance spending the technologies. The current technology money saved on energy bills on a convergence is itself disrupting flight to a faraway country. business models and making many job roles obsolete. The ability to We must mitigate the potential risks source and develop talent is likely of investing in emerging technologies to become an ever more pressing and balance them against the challenge. potential benefits. Some tools that could prove effective in helping us do Many companies are generally this are: aiming to achieve a more circular, bio‐based, carbon-neutral, and Research & development. non‐toxic economy. This is positive, Adaptive governance. but why stop at the usual suspects? Without a genuinely holistic Market foresight, and horizon and approach covering all sectors of the media scanning. economy, our progress is likely to remain limited. 19