Introduction: Welcome to the World of Informatics II!
Hello everyone! Building on the foundations you learned in "Informatics I," this course, "Informatics II," will take a deeper dive into how information technology is driving our society.
You might think, "Technology sounds complicated..." but don't worry! Everything around us—smartphones, social media, online shopping—is connected by the very technologies we are about to explore. Let's start by looking at the big picture: where our society stands today and where it is heading!
1. The Evolution of Society and "Society 5.0"
The history of humanity has changed dramatically alongside advancements in technology and how we handle information. We can categorize this into five stages:
・Society 1.0: Hunting and Gathering Society (Living in nature)
・Society 2.0: Agrarian Society (Settling down and producing food as a group)
・Society 3.0: Industrial Society (Mass production using steam engines and machinery)
・Society 4.0: Information Society (Sharing information via computers and the internet)
・Society 5.0: Super-Smart Society (The future we are aiming for right now!)
What’s so amazing about Society 5.0?
In Society 4.0 (the Information Society), humans searched for and analyzed information on the internet. However, in Society 5.0, "cyberspace" (virtual space) and "physical space" (real space) are highly integrated.
In other words, it is a society where AI and sensors automatically generate optimal solutions and move the real world without requiring constant human intervention.
[Key Point] The difference between Society 4.0 and 5.0
・Society 4.0: Humans find and analyze information (sometimes leading to insufficient sharing of knowledge)
・Society 5.0: AI analyzes vast amounts of data to provide the best proposals and support for humans
[Summary]
We are currently standing at a new stage called Society 5.0, where we use information technology to solve all sorts of challenges (such as an aging population and energy shortages).
2. The "Three Pillars" Changing Society: IoT, Big Data, and AI
To achieve Society 5.0, three technologies are essential. It’s easy to remember them by comparing them to the human body!
(1) IoT (Internet of Things)
Role: Five Senses (Sensors)
This refers to everything (home appliances, cars, factory machines, etc.) being connected to the internet. It collects information from the real world—which was previously not digitized—as data.
Example: A smartwatch measuring heart rate, or a refrigerator checking its contents.
(2) Big Data
Role: Memory and Experience
This is the massive and diverse data collected through things like IoT. It’s defined not just by its volume, but by its speed (real-time updates) and variety.
Example: Movement logs of people around the world, online shopping purchase history, and weather observation data.
(3) AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Role: Brain (Analysis and Judgment)
AI analyzes big data to make predictions and judgments. It is excellent at finding patterns that humans might miss.
Example: Predicting traffic congestion to suggest optimal routes, or detecting diseases from medical images.
[Pro-Tip] A Common Misconception!
People often think "IoT" and the "Internet" are the same thing, but in IoT, "things" are the stars. The key is that things communicate information to each other on their own without humans needing to operate them!
[Summary]
Collect with IoT, store as Big Data, and analyze with AI. This flow is the foundation of modern technology!
3. Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)
The mechanism that supports Society 5.0 is technically called a CPS (Cyber-Physical System). The name sounds intimidating, but the concept is simple.
1. Collect information from physical space (reality) using sensors, etc.
2. Send that data to cyberspace (virtual).
3. Use AI or other tools in cyberspace to analyze and simulate the data.
4. Feed the analysis results back into physical space (reality).
Example: Self-driving cars
(Reality) Cameras check surroundings → (Virtual) Calculate collision risks → (Reality) Apply brakes.
[Key Point]
CPS is essentially a system where you create a digital copy of reality, experiment within it, and then apply those results back to the real world.
4. The Impact of Information Technology on Industry
These technologies have drastically changed the shape of business. Keep these keywords in mind, as they often appear on tests!
DX (Digital Transformation)
This isn't just about "using IT"; it's about "using IT to fundamentally improve and transform our lives and businesses."
Example: The shift from going to a store to rent a movie (rental store) → being able to watch anything, anywhere (video streaming services).
Sharing Economy
A system where individuals or companies lend out "unused assets" (things, spaces, skills) to others via the internet.
Example: Renting out spare rooms (home sharing) or carpooling services.
Platform Business
A business that provides a "place" (a platform) to connect those who provide services with those who use them.
Example: Online shopping sites, social media, and app stores.
[Common Misconception]
Do you think "Digitization" (IT-ka) and "DX" are the same thing?
・Digitization: Converting paper documents into digital files (The means)
・DX: Using digital technology to create new value and experiences (The goal/transformation)
[Summary]
As technology advances, it's not just about becoming more convenient; the very structure of business is shifting from "owning" to "sharing."
Conclusion
Today, we learned about the "advancement of the information society." Society 5.0, IoT, AI, and DX may be unfamiliar terms, but they all represent the movement to "use data effectively to make our lives better!"
It might feel difficult at first, but if you connect these concepts to the news or the features on your smartphone, it will start to get really interesting. Let’s keep working hard together!