Global Journal of Human-Social Science, A: Arts and Humanities, Volume 22 Issue 8

III. C onclusions: E thical, P olitical, and S ocial C hallenges Advanced technologies rather than being a threat can expand the possibilities for attractive and well-paid jobs in high-skilled sectors. In the context of demographic decline and population aging, the service economy cannot be labor-intensive. This applies in particular to health services and social services in advanced economies where the demand for healthcare services is on the rise while the pool of the healthcare workforce is shrinking . 43 The deployment of humanoid and non- humanoid robots in nursing homes is a pragmatic response to a shortfall of specialized caregivers which cannot be easily filled by immigrant workers. Although it takes some time to get used to working with and be attended by a robot assistant, robotics in nursing homes has many advantages. Unlike human caregivers, android nurses are consistently patient and well-tempered, which is extremely important in assisting patients with dementia or other degenerative conditions. They are good at memorizing names, dates, and prescription details. Moreover, they are not a source of health risks since they do not get sick . Contrary to widespread concerns about the fourth industrial revolution stifling human labor, there is little evidence among the workforce in Japan and the EU-27 to see technology as direct competition. As a technologically advanced economy, the labor force seems to be more at ease working alongside humanoid and non-humanoid robots and other technologies. On the other hand,further research is needed to examine the reactions of labor unions, consumer associations, families, and society at large. Little evidence exists so far regarding the psychological, sociological, and spiritual responses of advanced societies to the adoption of advanced technologies in different aspects of life, especially among the elderly and the retired. 44 The mini-cases presented in this paper show that advanced technologies are used to improve the daily freedom of the elderly and to provide assistance when human-mediated care is scarce. However, the study found little evidence of using technology to re- incorporate the elderly into the workforce. A demographic decline as sharp as the one experienced by Japan and the EU-27 may fuel greater interests in 43 https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/featured%20insights/ future%20of%20organizations/the%20future%20of%20work%20in%20e urope/mgi-the-future-of-work-in-europe-discussio n-pape r.pdf; https://futureworkforce.economist.com/modern- times; 44 Bryan Lufkin, “What the world can learn from Japan’s robots,” BBC, February 6, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200 205-what-the-world-can-learn-from-japans-robots. substitutive rather than complementary technologies. Thus one may ask whether a stronger effort is needed to come up with complementary technologies to keep the elderly active in the labor force. Culture seems to play an important role in the public and private management of aging. Because of language and customs barriers, many advanced economies have attracted very few immigrants to fill the growing void of nurses, caregivers, and other professional positions needed in an aging society. Although one could wish for a more human-centric approach, the technological approach may be more attractive for highly homogenous societies where cultural barriers to immigration arehigh. On the other hand, the technological approach may fall short of fulfilling the human need for meaningful connections and genuine interpersonal relations. While advanced technologies may help retirees lead more active and independent lives, they can also fuel further social polarization. The cost of high-tech solutions and the skills needed to use them may pose new social barriers. Hence, the use of advanced technologies to manage demographic decline presupposes a substantive agreement between the government, companies, pension funds, and other actors on how to cover costs and train retirees to use those technologies.The technological training of retirees could be a new challenge for corporate social responsibility. Although several studies show an upward trend in the use of telecare and other advanced technologies, their widespread application in society implies a new agreement between governments, insurers, service providers, and users regarding cost coverage. The large-scale application of telecare also has important implications in terms of continuous training of the personnel involved, technological support, and systemic changes in the structure of the health and welfare system. In addition, there is the challenge of ensuring the security of sensitive personal data, such as patient medical records. In a highly technological environment, there is a risk of a lack of proper safekeeping where data circulates between different devices, clouds, and servers. There is also the challenge of ensuring equitable access so that telecare is not a luxury service forsome. 45 All in all, the introduction of advanced technologies to mitigate the employment impacts of aging, especially in the health sector, presents benefits, 45 Parliaments and civil society in Technology Assessment http:// www.pacitaproject.eu/ ; European Stakeholder involvement in Ageing society http://www.pacitaproject.eu/ageing-society/ ; Telecare Techno- logy for an Ageing Society Europe http://www.pacitaproject.eu/wp- content/uploads/2012/11/Telecare-description-web.pdf; h ttps://deep mind.com/safety-and-ethics Volume XXII Issue VIII Version I 28 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2022 © 2022 Global Journals A Can the 4 th Industrial Revolution be a Solution to the Challenges of Social Aging?