SMART SOCIETY: APPROACHES AND INTERPRETATIONS

The relevance of the topic is hot and actual as the modern society is constantly transforming under the pressure of modern technologies usage. This opinion paper attempts to show key characteristics of the smart society concept. Smart society is an extremely recent concept as a guide for social development and that can have a profound impact on societies at all levels, such as in terms of the quality of life and sustainability. Aim. This paper investigates the factors that determine the «smart society» phenomenon. The work used a number of general scientific and philosophical research methods, including: logical-analytical (when building the logic of research), the method of theoretical analysis of literature on the topic with the possibility of logical and comparative analysis of the studied data, analytical and comparative methods, which made it possible to apply an interdisciplinary approach to the study of definitions «smart society» and «smartness» (rationality). Results. The interpretation of the «smart society» phenomenon is given. Definitions of «smart» and «society» are being developed. The concepts of foreign scientists such as Yuko Harayama (Japan), Thomas Christian Bächle (Germany), Tateo Arimoto (Germany), Mitchell Dean (USA),  Matthew E. Gladden (Poland), Lorena Bătăgan (Turkey), Joanna J. Bryson (Germany), Alexandra Medina-Borja (Brazil), Ari-Veikko Anttiroiko (Finland) and other scientists whose research is in the field of various issues related to the development of smart society. This paper is based on very recent publications, but it also has a prospective component, which always generates some indeterminacy and uncertainty. Key characteristics of «smartness» (reasonableness) are identified, as well as the characteristics of the modern smart society directly, which relies on the power and potential of technology to make people more productive; to allow us focusing our resources on activities and relationships; to improve health, well-being and quality of life. The definition of «smartness» is considered in relation to each component of society (political sphere, public administration, services, economic activity, educational activity). Some kind of «driving forces» of smart society development are highlighted. The author has taken an attempt to present existing foreign programs («Smart Japan», «Smart Thailand 2020», Initiative «Smart Africa», «Smart UK»), the purpose of which is to create a smart society. The conclusion contains the main outputs on the presented topic.