Track 1

The digital transformation that is affecting all areas of society gives rise to novel solutions to critical social issues. Pervasive information and communication technologies contribute to creating essential information infrastructures, increase transparency, and help in the management of critical resources to address global challenges such as the ongoing pandemic, climate change, and world hunger. They also facilitate the inclusion of minorities and vulnerable groups, which have often been excluded from the process of addressing such tremendous challenges. The coronavirus pandemic has revealed that crises can lead to profound and innovative solutions to overwhelming problems—solutions such as contact tracing apps that have great potential, while at the same time posing a variety of risks. Therefore, it is essential to understand their many impacts on society.

To unlock the potential for positive change while meeting the challenges posed by digital transformation, it is imperative to understand the complex interplay between technologies, organizations, individuals, and society as a whole. In the context of technological solutions used in sensitive and safety-critical environments, for example, dependencies not carefully addressed may create threats. Complex technological solutions may be subject to criminal exploits and terrorist attacks, vulnerable to natural disasters, and can lead to infrastructure disruptions and system failures. In addition, innovative technological solutions to societal problems often require the collection of private data, which is a sensitive topic warranting special attention (as in the example of contact tracing). Privacy, data protection, sovereignty and security, and the social perception thereof are vital to consider. Novel digital solutions require continual evaluation and assessment of their consequences. Furthermore, we must make sure that the digital transformation does not exacerbate the digital divide that already exists across the globe.

This track focuses on issues at the intersection of digitization and society, including but not limited to during the ongoing pandemic, and is aimed at researchers and practitioners in business informatics and related disciplines.