Shinichi Yamaguchi: Opening the Future of the Information Society

Modern society is facing unprecedented changes due to the rapid advancement of information technology. For example, by picking up a smartphone, news flows in instantly through social media, and we have entered an "era of universal media" where anyone can disseminate information. While our lives have become significantly more convenient, the negative impact of misinformation and online slander on society is becoming more serious. My research shows that misinformation can easily change the minds of the fluid support base that makes up the majority, potentially influencing elections. Discourse posted on social media spreads in an instant, impacting even democracy.

To respond to these changes, I use econometric methods to study the impact of technological evolution on human behavior and social structures. Beyond the various issues on social media, I cross-sectionally handle diverse themes such as the impact of the spread of generative AI and cybernetic avatars on society, the strategies of platform companies, youth and technology, and new economic laws and business models in the era of data capitalism. In the Moonshot Research and Development Program, I am examining from a social science perspective how advanced technologies such as cybernetic avatars will change our lives and what determines technology acceptance, looking ahead to the future in 2050.

I believe the mission of a researcher is to "contribute to the maximization of social welfare as the sum of people's quality of life and sense of happiness." To achieve this, I believe it is important to circulate three activities: utilizing findings from academic research, providing input for policy planning, and disseminating information widely to society. In practice, I aim to realize a better society by linking results obtained through joint research with companies and the government to policy recommendations, while simultaneously spreading them to society through media and books.

While advancements in information technology enrich our daily lives, they also cause many challenges. Technologies such as AI are advancing rapidly, and in the future, our connections will become closer and more expansive. As a researcher, I want to build a richer future for the information society by providing evidence-based solutions to complex social structures while moving back and forth between academia and practice.