The Project
6G4Society (grant agreement ID: 101139070) is an SNS JU project which aims to ensure that societal and sustainable values are properly embedded into the development of 6G technology, bringing a sociological perspective to technological development.
Impact
6G4Society (grant agreement ID: 101139070) will engage key stakeholders within the Smart Networks and Services (SNS) ecosystem, as well as civil society players, regulators, policymakers, media, and the public at large, to ensure correct and clear information about the expected impacts of 6G technology.
The project aims at providing and fostering a multidisciplinary and complementary perspective to future technological development, applying methodologies from ethics, legal and social sciences and humanities. It will provide methods, models, guidelines, policy options and operation recommendations to develop a sustainable and socially accepted 6G technology and applications.
Let's talk about our objectives
Generating a better understanding and shared knowledge of the aspects influencing public acceptance of 6G technologies
Supporting the development of an EU consensus framework for a value-based, sustainable and ethics-driven approach towards 6G and its subsequent promotion through the 6G EU and global standard-setting process
Engaging and reaching out to public audiences to build 6G social acceptance
Empowering the 6G community to reflect EU policy and legislation into technology solutions for future networks’ development and services
Activities
6G4Society (grant agreement ID: 101139070) will engage key stakeholders within the Smart Networks and Services (SNS) ecosystem, as well as civil society players, regulators, policymakers, media, and the public at large, to ensure correct and clear information about the expected impacts of 6G technology is disseminated and understood by all relevant parties.
The project is divided into four work packages, that interact with and build upon each other: Understanding the impact of 6G on society, public engagement and communication, synergies and coordination support, and communication, dissemination, exploitation and standardisation.
The “Understanding the Impact of 6G on Society” work package explores how 6G will affect society, focusing on its social impact, factors influencing public acceptance, and how we measure its value. It also identifies gaps in current frameworks (Key Value Indicators, Key Sustainability Indicators) and suggests improvements to ensure 6G supports societal and sustainability goals.
The “Public Engagement and Communication” work package is dedicated to fostering understanding and acceptance of 6G technology. It aims to develop clear strategies and informative materials that explain 6G in a way that is accessible to non-experts. Another key goal is to design effective approaches to engage with the public, encouraging dialogue to explore their perceptions, concerns, and expectations regarding 6G. By doing so, this work package seeks to bridge the gap between technical innovation and public awareness.
“Synergies and coordination support” focuses on building connections and aligning efforts with other 6G projects and initiatives. It aims to gather expert knowledge on the societal impact of 6G and coordinate the broader 6G ecosystem towards a common framework for Key Sustainable Indicators and a model for technological acceptance. Additionally, it works to raise awareness, share new knowledge, gather feedback, and promote the adoption of 6G. This work package also supports projects by providing guidance on incorporating EU policy objectives, legislation, and societal considerations into their work.
The “Communication, Dissemination, Exploitation, and Standardisation” work package is dedicated to promoting the project’s outcomes across various audiences. Its goal is to share key results with researchers, academics, industry leaders, and policymakers, ensuring they are informed and involved. It also focuses on leveraging the findings to influence standards development, amplifying the project’s impact on the future of 6G technology.
What have we achieved so far?
Launch of 6G4Society Citizen Survey
The 6G4Society Citizen Survey was launched in April 2024, and we have been receiving a steady stream of responses from citizens across Europe. The survey is gathering valuable insights into public experiences with 5G and expectations for 6G, which we will analyse to ensure they inform EU policy and guide the development of technology that aligns with societal needs and values.
Organisation of Webinars and Workshops
We are actively organising workshops and webinars to foster dialogue on the societal and environmental aspects of 6G development. These events focus on topics such as defining Key Value Indicators (KVIs) to measure the impact of 6G, exploring strategies to ensure social acceptance, and discussing how to align technological advancements with sustainability goals. By bringing together experts and stakeholders, we aim to shape 6G in a way that reflects societal priorities and values.
Advancing Research on Sustainable and Inclusive 6G Development
We are contributing to the scientific community by developing research papers that explore the intersection of 6G technology, sustainability, and social acceptance. These papers address key challenges and propose frameworks to ensure that future connectivity aligns with environmental goals and societal values. Through this work, we aim to advance the academic discourse and provide insights that support a sustainable and inclusive approach to 6G development.
Development of the Social Acceptance of Technology (SAT) Framework
We are developing the Social Acceptance of Technology (SAT) Framework, a tool designed to analyse and evaluate the acceptance of new technologies across four key dimensions: Social Disruptiveness, Value Impact, User Experience, and Trust. This framework will provide a comprehensive approach to analyse social acceptance in the context of 6G. More details will be published in the upcoming deliverable D1.1.
