6G4Society Advisory Board Reflects on Governance, Values, and the Path Toward a Socially Accepted 6G
The 6G4Society Advisory Board convened online on 21 October 2025 to discuss the draft deliverable “Towards a Socially Accepted and Sustainable 6G” (D1.2). Chaired by Tetiana Vasylieva (CSL), the meeting gathered project partners and external experts to reflect on key findings, validate identified concerns, and exchange views on policy and operational recommendations.
Methodology and Purpose
Tetiana opened the meeting by outlining the project’s inclusive, evidence-based methodology, which combines desk research, citizen and expert engagement, and participation in SNS JU working groups. She underlined that social values and sustainability principles form the foundation for both policy and operational proposals under development.
Practices and governance of R&I within the SNS-JU community
Margot Bezzi (CSL) presented the first concern framed around the level of governance, highlighting that, despite 6G’s lofty ambitions to integrate social and environmental considerations, some misalignments emerge between these ambitions and the actual practice of Research and Innovation (R&I) processes. It appears that the prevailing innovation culture tends to prioritise results, which can inadvertently place social and environmental dimensions in a secondary position. The dimensions analysed to understand this misalignment include stakeholder needs and values, technology acceptance, key value indicators, environmental sustainability, as well as social sustainability and social impact of technology.
Values at risk in the current trajectory of 6G development
Carmela Occhipinti (CSL) introduced the second concern, related to the potential risks to values in the current 6G development trajectory, considering these as linked to areas where governance practices could be further strengthened. She highlighted values identified through research with citizens, experts, and SNS-JU projects, such as privacy, inclusion, and technological sovereignty in Europe.
Looking Ahead
Participants agreed on the need for multidisciplinary collaboration and value-driven innovation to ensure that 6G evolves as an inclusive, sustainable, and socially meaningful technology.
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