Are we forgetting something? The role of the individual as a driver of change between data psychology and computational thinking
FIT Academy
Session 290
In an age dominated by data flows, algorithmic systems, and artificial intelligence, we risk overlooking one essential element: the role of the individual. This session explores how individuals—equipped with the right cognitive frameworks and ethical awareness—can reclaim their agency in a world increasingly defined by automated processing and technological complexity.
Drawing inspiration from the concept of Computational Thinking, the session reframes it not merely as a technical or programming skill, but as a cognitive framework through which individuals can engage with complexity without surrendering their autonomy. At the same time, the session touches on data psychology—how our minds respond to overwhelming quantities of data, and the allure of simplified outputs from AI systems. When faced with this complexity, there is a temptation to let machines define problems and decide solutions. Yet, the true value of human cognition lies in precisely these two acts: defining meaningful problems and interpreting results with nuance.
The session will showcase how educational and organizational initiatives can be structured to strengthen these human roles. Examples include the use of AI-based assistants in problem framing and scenario exploration—where learners are supported, not substituted, by AI—and corporate training programs that combine technical literacy with reflective exercises on data ethics, critical thinking, and judgment.
Looking forward to WSIS beyond 2015 and toward 2025, the session advocates a vision where technology amplifies human thought rather than replacing it. The key challenge is not technological access alone, but the preservation of human responsibility and cognitive ownership in the digital decision-making process. A truly inclusive and ethical information society must ensure that individuals are not passive users of data systems, but active shapers of digital futures.
-
C3. Access to information and knowledge
-
C4. Capacity building
-
C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-learning
-
C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-science
-
C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
This session supports and intersects with the following WSIS Action Lines:
C3. Access to information and knowledge: By stressing the importance of cognitive tools like Computational Thinking, the session promotes meaningful access—where individuals can understand and contextualize the information they receive.
C4. Capacity Building: The core of the session revolves around empowering individuals to interact critically with digital tools, fostering capabilities that extend beyond technical proficiency into human discernment and ethical judgment.
C7. ICT Applications – E-learning: Examples include human-centered AI-assisted learning environments, where learners co-construct understanding with digital agents rather than passively receiving outputs.
C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society: The session confronts the ethical implications of delegating cognitive tasks to machines, advocating for preserving human agency in digital environments.
C11. International and regional cooperation: Building a global dialogue on the role of the individual in digital society requires collaborative frameworks that integrate cognitive, ethical, and technical education models across regions.
-
Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
-
Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
-
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
-
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
-
Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
-
Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
Goal 4 – Quality Education:
This session advocates a broader and deeper understanding of Computational Thinking as a foundational cognitive skill for the 21st century. It emphasizes education that goes beyond technical training to include critical thinking, problem definition, and ethical judgment in digital environments. This directly supports SDG 4 by promoting lifelong learning opportunities and redefining digital literacy to empower learners in an AI-augmented society.
Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth:
By equipping individuals with the capacity to engage meaningfully with complex data systems and make informed decisions, the session contributes to sustainable employment and digital resilience. It aligns with Goal 8 by fostering human adaptability and relevance in future digital economies, where judgment and critical thinking are indispensable for decent work.
Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure:
The session promotes a human-centered approach to innovation, one that sees individual responsibility as a driver of ethical and sustainable technology use. It reinforces the idea that resilient and trustworthy digital infrastructures must be complemented by equally resilient human capabilities, thus supporting inclusive innovation ecosystems.
Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities:
The digital divide is no longer only about access to devices and connectivity; it is increasingly about cognitive and ethical access—who can interpret, question, and act on information meaningfully. This session emphasizes inclusivity in the capacity to think critically in digital contexts, contributing to the reduction of emerging forms of digital inequality.
Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions:
Empowering individuals to responsibly engage with AI systems, question automated decisions, and retain interpretive authority contributes to transparent and accountable digital governance. This session supports Goal 16 by encouraging human agency and ethical oversight in algorithmic environments, essential for trustworthy and inclusive societies.
Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Goals:
Finally, the call for international collaboration on redefining education, digital rights, and AI governance aligns with SDG 17. The session fosters a shared vision of human-centered digital development through cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral dialogue, promoting global partnerships to co-create a sustainable digital future.