Irresponsible Research and Innovation? Applying Findings from Neuroscience to Analysis of Unsustainable Hype Cycles

Abstract

The introduction of technological innovations is often associated with suboptimal decisions and actions during cycles of inflated expectations, disappointment, and unintended negative consequences. For brevity, these can be referred to as hype cycles. Hitherto, studies have reported hype cycles for many different technologies, and studies have proposed different methods for improving the introduction of technological innovations. Yet hype cycles persist, despite suboptimal outcomes being widely reported and despite methods being available to improve outcomes. In this communication paper, findings from exploratory research are reported, which introduce new directions for addressing hype cycles. Through reference to neuroscience studies, it is explained that the behavior of some adults in hype cycles can be analogous to that of irresponsible behavior among adolescents. In particular, there is heightened responsiveness to peer presence and potential rewards. Accordingly, it is argued that methods applied successfully to reduce irresponsible behavior among adolescents are relevant to addressing hype cycles, and to facilitating more responsible research and innovation. The unsustainability of hype cycles is considered in relation to hype about artificial intelligence (AI). In particular, the potential for human-beneficial AI to have the unintended negative consequence of being fatally unbeneficial to everything else in the geosphere other than human beings.

The Emergence and Rise of Industry 4.0 Viewed through the Lens of Management Fashion Theory

“…Familiarity is a factor which has made the introduction of the I4.0 concept much smoother and has reduced societal resistance. To this point, Fox (2018) argues that the popularization of I4.0 has been facilitated by the fact that it is built on the industrial production paradigm which enjoys a high degree of familiarity across the world. Fox (2018, p. 5) notes that "hype can be especially contagious when that hype is associated with an old paradigm that is already familiar to people all over the world".…”

“…Fox (2018, p. 5) notes that "hype can be especially contagious when that hype is associated with an old paradigm that is already familiar to people all over the world". Fox (2018) argues that a reason why I4.0 spreads rapidly across the globe is that "humans everywhere tend to have a preference for the familiar: in this case, industrial production".…”

“…Promises of substantial performance improvements can easily be identified in the I4.0 discourse, and researchers have noted that there in recent years has been a very strong hype surrounding I4.0 (Fox 2018). Many large promises have been made, which has led to the creation of very high expectations in the business community.…”

“…(Reischauer 2018). The concept has expanded beyond industrial production and manufacturing to become a go-to solution to a wide range of issues in business and society (Fox 2018;Pfeiffer 2017). The multitude of definitions of the concept could also pose a future risk for the concept, since it is possible that the concept could turn into an empty buzzword (Scharl and Praktiknjo 2019).…”

PHY Research Is Sick but Curable: An Empirical Analysis

“…Are they realistic or nothing but hypes? There are ample examples that a number of heated technologies in the past have finally turned out to be hyped, and wireless communications are not exceptional [7], [8]. These research topics and activities cost enormous financial and human resources after all.…”