The ubiquitous society will revolutionize our daily lives, with advances in artificial intelligence and advanced technology providing us with the ability to utilize computer resources anytime, anywhere. However, these changes may bring with them new social and ethical challenges, such as the digital divide, privacy and security issues, which require comprehensive preparation.
A world that combines the real and virtual worlds, with ubiquitous, anytime, anywhere access to computing resources, was only a few years ago a fantasy of the distant future. However, in 2016, the AI Go program AlphaGo defeated Go master Lee Sedol 4:1, signaling to the world the rapid progress of artificial intelligence and the fact that AI is getting closer to becoming a reality. This event made the world realize that the limits of A.I. are fading, and as A.I. research accelerates, things that were once thought impossible for humans are becoming a reality.
Ubiquity is a condition for extreme advances in AI, and as AI advances, we are getting closer and closer to ubiquity. Ubiquitous comes from the Latin word ubiquitus, which means “always and everywhere”. As defined by Dr. Mark Weiser, the creator of the concept of ubiquitous computing, ubiquitous computing is technology that can deliver information or services to users wherever they are. A number of technologies are required to make this ubiquitous. A prime example is radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, which should be embedded in almost everything. RFID is a system that uses certain frequency bands to send and receive data wirelessly.
Another reason why there are so many technologies that need to be developed is that the basic prerequisite for ubiquity is that computers should be invisible. The final requirement for ubiquity is the ability to provide different services depending on who the user is and what the situation is. The surprising thing about the ubiquitous era is that all three of these technologies – RFID, the ability of computers to cope with situations, and the ability of humans to cope with situations – are available right now. Whether a ubiquitous society is realized or not is also influenced by social policies. No matter how good the technology is, if society is not ready to accept it, it will be of no value.
If all of the above conditions are met and a ubiquitous society becomes a reality, what changes will occur in our lives? Ubiquitous environments are the stuff of science fiction movies. For example, the moment I wake up in the morning and open the bathroom door, the sensor on the handle checks my health and alerts me to any problems. If you have a health problem, you can decide whether you want to receive remote treatment at home or go to the hospital.
Another technology is DTR (DeskTop Robot), which automatically adjusts the distance between you and the car in front of you once you set a safe distance. DTR technology utilizes radar and laser sensors to drive vehicles autonomously and has come a long way since 2020. As of 2024, the technology has advanced significantly thanks to innovations in AI algorithms, computing power, and data development. In particular, the Transformer model is being applied to enhance the cognitive and decision-making capabilities of vehicles, and high-performance neural processing units (NPUs) are being introduced to support complex calculations. Companies like Nvidia are integrating autonomous driving and vehicle monitoring capabilities through its AI computing platform, Nvidia Drive Thor, which is revolutionizing automotive design and performance.
Another example is the Google Watch, a computer that is worn like a piece of clothing that was prototyped by Google many years ago. Wearable computers are computers worn on clothing or the body to allow users to use computers on the go. It allows users to browse the Internet, check their health, and more whenever and wherever they want.
This ubiquitous society is getting closer to reality, and it’s clear that it will make our lives easier. However, we humans need to think about whether the ubiquitous society will bring us only good and positive things. The advancement of science has made life easier for humans, but it has also brought wars and conflicts between people. Humanity has always made the mistake of misusing the power it has been given. It’s clear that the technologies we have today already have the power to change our survival. But in a ubiquitous society, technology has the ability to surpass and surpass all of them.
Information is available to anyone, anywhere, at any time, and since all of the world’s values are stored in “information,” it has the dangerous potential to erase a person, or even a group of people, from existence if misused. The ubiquitous society, and the technologies in this society, are certainly far more powerful than their predecessors, and humanity should be wary of living a life that is completely dependent on ubiquitous systems and take measures against possible adverse events.
At the same time, we need to think about how technological advances in a ubiquitous society will affect the structure and culture of society as a whole, beyond just individual convenience. Differences in the ubiquity and accessibility of information can lead to new forms of digital divide, which have the potential to exacerbate social inequality. Inclusive and equitable policies and education must go hand in hand to ensure that technological advances benefit everyone.
In the age of ubiquity, privacy and security are also critical issues. In a world where everything is connected, personal information is more easily exposed, and the risk of this information being used for malicious purposes increases. Therefore, a ubiquitous society requires strong security systems and strict regulation of privacy.
The ubiquitous society has the potential to revolutionize our lives. But for this to happen in a positive way, it will require not only technological advancements, but also social and ethical considerations and preparations. Humanity will have to work tirelessly to make life in a ubiquitous society richer and safer.
