Principles of convergence in nature and society and their application: from nanoscale, digits, and logic steps to global progress

Abstract

Knowledge, technology, and society as well as natural systems are increasingly coherent and complex, and new systems are continuously formed at their interfaces. Convergence is a problem-solving strategy to holistically understand, create, and transform a system for reaching a common goal, such as advancing an emerging technology in society. The systems may be either in natural, scientific, technological, economic, or societal settings. Convergence offers a unifying strategy applicable to all systems that can be modeled as evolving neural-like networks. The paper presents an overview of the convergence science including underlying theories, principles, and methods and illustrates its implementation in key areas of application. The convergence approach begins with deep integration of previously separated fields, communities, and modes of thinking, to form and improve a new system, from where solutions divergence to previously unattainable applications and outcomes. The worldwide science and technology (S&T) landscape is changing at the beginning of the twenty-first century because of convergence. First, there is the affirmation of three transdisciplinary general-purpose technologies—nanotechnology, digital technology, and artificial intelligence (AI). A second main characteristics is the deep integration of five foundational science and technology fields (NBICA: nanoscale, modern biology, information, cognition, and artificial intelligence) from their basic elements—atoms, genes, bits, neurons, and logic steps and their collective action—to address global challenges and opportunities. The affirmation of nanotechnology at the confluence of disciplines toward systematic control of matter at the nanoscale has been an enabling inspiration and foundation for other S&T fields, emerging industries, and convergence solutions in society. Several future opportunities for implementation of convergence principles are the global S&T system, realizing sustainable society, advancing human capabilities, and conflict resolution.

A nanotechnology-foresight perspective of South Africa

“…The emergence of computer science as one of the top 20 subjects publishing in nanotechnology suggests a convergence of nanotechnology and computing science, for example, in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) system design and the drive towards the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). Nanotechnology publications from computer science can also be a sign of nanotechnology convergence (Roco 2020 ). However, additional investigations need to be done to ascertain the existence and extent of the fusion of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive sciences (NBIC) in South Africa.…”

“…When the year 2019 is considered, the emergence of computer science as one of the top 20 subjects publishing in nanotechnology suggests that nanotechnology convergence (Roco 2020 ) is happening the country. In addition, it was observed that there is a high degree of author/researcher collaboration within nanoscience in South Africa; this may also suggest convergence of disciplines with nanoscience research, but we are not sure at this stage, one needs to investigate if these authors are collaborating across disciplines or within disciplines.…”

“…Hence, additional investigations need to be done to ascertain the existence and the extent of the fusion of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, cognitive sciences and artificial intelligence (NBICA) within the South African nanoscience landscape. There is also a need to investigate and understand if convergence is in the confluence phase, for example, just across disciplines and subjects, or it has advanced to the integration phase where frameworks and systems are now developed to solve problems that individual capabilities/disciplines cannot solve on their own (Roco 2020 ). Such an investigation will enable foresight planners to understand how nanotechnology convergence is evolving and how the future may look for the country’s national innovation system.…”

Global bibliometric mapping of the frontier of knowledge in the field of artificial intelligence for the period 1990–2019

“…One characteristic of AI is that it is directly intervening in different organizational spheres with applications in a growing number of activities (Panch et al 2019 ; Cox 2021 ). Another particularity that highlights the value of this field of knowledge is that it is part of disruptive projects with high investments in research and development (R&D), such as the technological convergence project (NBICA) of the National Science Foundation (NSF), which also includes other fields of knowledge such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, information and communication technologies, cognitive sciences and, as already mentioned, AI (Roco 2020 ; Lee and Lim 2021 ).…”

“…There are already bibliometric mappings referring to this subject but these are of a specific nature and do not include the family of indicators used in this work (Munim et al 2020 ; Dhamija and Bag 2020 ; Guo et al 2020 ; Fosso Wamba et al 2021 ; Goodell et al 2021 ). In recent years, AI has steadily increased the production of scientific articles and is playing a central role in the changing global technological pattern that is affecting multiple spheres (Bainbridge and Roco 2016 ; Roco 2020 ). The AI space is so dynamically and disruptively evolving from both a technology, society and a business perspective that related analyses and meta-analyses (including bibliometric methodologies) need to also be periodically repeated, conducting multi-modal, multi-nodal, multi-lateral and multi-layer studies including bibliometrics, surveys, semi-structured interviews and case studies as well as Knowledge, Information and Data Analytics (KID ANALYTICS) with a prospective retrospective orientation (Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0 and Society 5.0, Quadruple and Quintuple Innovation Helix-centered (Carayannis et al 2021 ).…”