The Ambient Information Society
The new trend of IT beyond 2010
Leader: Keiichi Shimada
We are looking at the word of “Ambient” (meaning “encompassing” or “environmental”) as a keyword that describes the information society of the future where a secure, safe, and pleasant social environment is deliberately created by collaboration between IT and social systems.
Focus
The elements of the Ambient Information Society can be summarized by the two keywords, “Unconscious” and “Seamless.”
“Unconscious” means that the environment is designed so that the user is not consciously aware of IT, by using an information system that comprehensively understands the user’s needs and effectively transmits information through various information devices embedded in the environment.
“Seamless” means systems that were formerly vertically organized are dynamically linked in order to take collective actions to solve the environmental and/or social problems . For example if a problem occurs in food distribution, the system will flexibly link the manufacturers, stores, healthcare institutions, and local government, and, in addition to taking measures regarding the problem product, it will be possible to take full measures to thoroughly inform consumers and prevent expansion of damage.
We are conducting research to study the latest development trends in technology that relates to realization of the Ambient Information Society. We also evaluate on the configuration of business strategies and business models in the era of the Ambient Information Society.



