The Consumer Affairs Agency's digital debate begins

 ■ The Consumer Affairs Agency's digital debate begins

A study group on how consumers respond to digitalization. 

We've been in contact with the Consumer Affairs Agency in terms of measures for youth to use the internet, games with gacha mechanics, and e-sports regulations, but this was my first time participating in the conference. I acted as vice chairperson. 

It is meaningful to think about the relationship between digital and consumers at this time. After 20 years of digitalization and 10 years of smart tech, the next big wave is coming to Society 5.0. There will be challenges for consumers in the digital and smart age, and challenges for consumers in the AI / IoT / data era. Since they have different characters, we will discuss them separately. 

I would like to introduce my comment. First, there's the the problem of using platformers' services. This is based on literacy education and user learning issues. Everyone will become digital users. Everything in life depends on something digital. The technology and system for that are important, but in the end, the knowledge and wisdom for consumers to protect themselves matters the most.

Digital textbooks will be institutionalized so that all children will learn using digital means. The government is also taking measures for youth safety nets. However, the younger the generation, the more digital knowledge they have to start with. The problem is on the adult side. The measures on that side are weak. 

NHK repeatedly broadcasts programs trying to prevent wire fraud, but it is necessary to provide more easy-to-understand information like this. At the same time, it is necessary not to uselessly emphasize disadvantages and fears. 

In Japan, IT implementation in schools is the lowest in the OECD, and while directions are to finally install PCs for each person with the supplementary budget for economic measures, the biggest reason why it has not progressed for 20 years is a feeling of anxiety about digitalization. 

The reason why the spread of the sharing economy is delayed is that "anxiety" still outweighs it. No country is as safe as Japan, but no country is as uneasy about this as Japan. This environment is largely blocking the course for the country. "Digital" and "Smart" are profitable even if there are evils in them. First of all, it is important to avoid harm while enlightening consumers so that they can fully enjoy its benefits. 

Regarding AI, IoT and data, rule-making is an important stage before education. Until now, digital has been involved in communication between people. From now on, machines will communicate with each other and will analyze and process automatically. This means that a world that humankind has never faced will arrive, and there is still no correct answer anywhere in the world for it. 

The problem is that AI is invisible. Behind the scenes, AI evaluates people and is used for corporate recruitment, financial credit, and crime prediction, and is excluded and discriminated against. User data is also used for elections. Constitutional scholars have also begun to question the situation, which is expected to be related to democracy and popular sovereignty. 

However, as a technical necessity, it is still entering our society. It is important to have the determination, knowledge and wisdom to master AI. It was discussed yesterday at the Intellectual Property Headquarters of the Cabinet Office, that both users and businesses feel "anxiety" about the use of data and AI. It is necessary to create rules and implement them socially so that they can be used with peace of mind. 

First, clarify the rule that personal data belongs to the user, and legitimate services that implements this will appear. These are also being discussed by the IT Strategy Office of the Cabinet Secretariat, the Intellectual Property Headquarters, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. I would like consumer administration to get involved and work on it. 

The government has prepared AI utilization guidelines for businesses, but it is necessary to create guidelines for consumers as well. Moreover, as unexpected AI and services will appear, it will be necessary to be prepared to revise and develop on them.