Cutting-edge technologies sustainability assessment towards EC Digital Decade 2030 Compass objectives

Abstract

In 2022, the EC Digital Decade 2030 Compass identified seven cutting-edge digital technologies, the development of which will receive special attention in the coming years. Digital technologies are a specific type of technology that is critical to the existence of today's society. Failures in technological development can have fatal consequences, so assessing the sustainability of digital technologies is a very important task. The aim of the study is to assess the sustainability and potential risks of development of the proposed cutting-edge digital technologies. Two-level Integrated Acceptance and Sustainability Assessment Model (IASAM) is used to assess sustainability, where digital technology acceptance and sustainability assessment is first performed using system dynamics simulation and Skype reference line modulation to calculate the sustainability index. Subsequently, Bayesian acyclic networks are used to assess potential risks. The simulation results indicate the potential sustainability risks of some of the digital technologies and industries mentioned in the EC Digital Decade 2030 Compass. The article can be useful for digital sustainability researchers, investors and new digital technology developers.