By Dinis Guarda
The convergence of digital innovation and human well-being is becoming increasingly evident as emerging technologies redefine how societies operate. From artificial intelligence in diagnostics to data-led urban planning and performance analytics in sports, the goal is no longer just technological advancement—it is the improvement of quality of life at every level. The shift towards Industry 5.0 reflects this change in priorities, putting people at the centre of innovation to create smarter, healthier, and more inclusive systems.
As we explore the evolution of health and well-being within this framework, a key focus emerges: the integration of AI, smart devices, and urban infrastructure to support both individual and societal resilience. As we transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0, the focus shifts towards a more human-centric approach, integrating technology to improve quality of life, health, and social inclusion.
The broader societal context behind these changes is the move from Industry 4.0’s automation and connectivity to Industry 5.0’s human-centric values. Rather than focusing solely on efficiency and productivity, Industry 5.0 incorporates sustainability, resilience, and well-being as key pillars of progress.
With the global Industry 5.0 market expected to grow from $131.1 billion in 2022 to $658.4 billion by 2032, this transformation is not only philosophical but economic. Industry 5.0 builds upon technologies such as cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) while reorienting their purpose toward societal benefit.
This section of the article delves into how the Industry 5.0 transition is laying the foundation for a new era where health, performance, and sustainability are interconnected pillars of progress.
Technology-enabled healthcare
Healthcare forms the foundation of personal and public well-being. It plays a vital role in helping individuals and communities stay healthy and manage illness effectively. In the era of Industry 5.0, healthcare systems are under pressure to evolve in response to shifting needs—especially with an ageing population and a rise in chronic health conditions. New technologies are helping healthcare services become more effective, more accessible, and more responsive to patient needs.
Examples of these technologies include telemedicine, AI-supported diagnostics, and personalised medicine. Telemedicine allows people to speak to doctors remotely, which is especially helpful in rural areas or for those with limited mobility. AI-driven diagnostic tools help doctors detect diseases faster and more accurately, often before symptoms become serious. Meanwhile, personalised medicine adjusts treatments to match each patient’s unique needs, improving recovery and reducing costs.
Big data also plays an important role in modern healthcare. By analysing large volumes of health data, professionals can identify public health risks, track the spread of diseases, and evaluate how well different treatments work. This kind of data-led approach can lead to better planning, more targeted prevention strategies, and improved patient outcomes.
IBM Watson Health uses artificial intelligence to support doctors in diagnosing and treating patients by drawing insights from massive amounts of data. Philips is making progress through its use of AI and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, helping monitor patients remotely and improving care delivery in remote or under-resourced locations. Verily Life Sciences, part of Google’s parent company Alphabet, is also creating digital tools and wearables that make it easier to gather and act on health data.
The role of tech in livable urban futures
Technology is playing an important role in making cities better places to live. The idea of livability—how good life is in a city—includes things like safety, access to healthcare, transport, clean air, green spaces, and feeling included in society.
The smart city movement focuses on using modern technology to improve these aspects of urban life. Tools such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data are helping cities work more smoothly and respond better to people’s needs.
For example, smart sensors can track air quality and help manage energy use in buildings. AI systems can control traffic lights to reduce traffic jams and make roads safer. These technologies don’t just make cities more advanced—they help make them fairer, cleaner, and easier for everyone to live in.
By using real-time data and smart infrastructure, cities can improve public transport, reduce pollution, and make services more efficient. Some examples of smart city projects include:
- Sensors that monitor air pollution and noise levels
- AI tools that manage traffic and reduce congestion
- Buildings that save energy by adjusting lighting and temperature automatically
In short, technology is helping to build cities that are not only smart but also healthier, safer, and more enjoyable to live in.
Livability and the path to achieving the SDGs
Livability is an essential part of reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as it has a direct impact on the well-being and everyday life of people and communities. The SDGs aim to tackle global issues such as poverty, poor health, and unsustainable urban development. These goals closely align with the idea of livability, which focuses on creating environments where people can thrive. A livable city is not just modern and connected—it must also be inclusive, healthy, and accessible, with services like clean water, safe housing, healthcare, and reliable transport available to all.
One of the most relevant goals is SDG 11, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Achieving this goal means ensuring that urban areas promote well-being while also dealing with environmental and social challenges. Other goals, such as SDG 1 (ending poverty) and SDG 10 (reducing inequality), stress the need for equal access to opportunities and resources—another core principle of livability.
When cities provide affordable homes, quality education, healthcare, and decent work opportunities, they help build fairer, more connected societies. As cities grow, it is increasingly important to include sustainability in planning to tackle issues like overcrowding and pollution. Technology and data can help manage urban development better and ensure that improvements benefit everyone.
The environmental side of livability is just as important. SDG 13 calls for urgent climate action, while SDG 7 encourages the use of clean and affordable energy. Livable cities support these goals by focusing on energy efficiency, cutting pollution, and creating more green spaces.
Smart city technologies—such as systems powered by the Internet of Things (IoT) and tools that track environmental data in real-time—can help reduce waste, lower emissions, and make urban services more efficient. These innovations are helping cities not only improve life for their residents but also play a key part in the global effort to tackle climate change.
How livability supports a healthier, fairer society
Livability plays an important role in building a sustainable future. It directly affects how individuals and communities experience their daily lives. The idea of livability is not just about buildings and roads. It also includes social, economic, and environmental factors that help people live well.
A truly livable environment ensures that everyone has access to clean air and water, safe and affordable housing, reliable public transport, and a sense of safety. But beyond services, livability also means creating spaces where people can connect, find jobs, and enjoy a healthy environment.
As cities continue to grow, they become centres of opportunity and innovation. But urban growth also brings challenges such as traffic, pollution, and pressure on housing and public services. To tackle these problems, city planners and governments need to take a balanced approach. This includes using smart technologies, better planning, and involving local communities in decisions.
Livable cities are not just about comfort—they also support mental well-being, reduce stress, and build stronger, more resilient societies. As the world becomes more urban, making cities more livable is key to improving sustainability and the overall quality of life.
Addressing ethical challenges in health technology
As advanced technologies become more common in healthcare, important ethical and privacy issues must be considered. Using artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, for instance, brings benefits, but also raises questions about how data is handled.
Patient information must be kept secure, and people should always give clear consent when their data is used. There is also concern about the risk of bias in AI systems, which could lead to unfair outcomes. To build trust, it is important that these tools are used fairly and that patient rights are respected at all times.
Beyond technology, healthcare must also focus on the wider factors that affect people’s health. These are known as the social determinants of health and include things like income, education, housing, and working conditions.
These factors often shape how healthy a person can be throughout their life. By looking at both medical care and social challenges, healthcare systems can provide more complete and fair support for everyone in the community.
The industry 5.0 market is expected to grow to $658.4 billion by 2032, and innovations like AI-driven healthcare and smart cities are improving quality of life. About 29% of global consumers now use wearable health devices, showing rising engagement with digital well-being tools. As technology transforms well-being, are we ready for the future?
The convergence of digital innovation and human well-being is becoming increasingly evident as emerging technologies redefine how societies operate. From artificial intelligence in diagnostics to data-led urban planning and performance analytics in sports, the goal is no longer just technological advancement—it is the improvement of quality of life at every level. The shift towards Industry 5.0 reflects this change in priorities, putting people at the centre of innovation to create smarter, healthier, and more inclusive systems.
As we explore the evolution of health and well-being within this framework, a key focus emerges: the integration of AI, smart devices, and urban infrastructure to support both individual and societal resilience. As we transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0, the focus shifts towards a more human-centric approach, integrating technology to improve quality of life, health, and social inclusion.
The broader societal context behind these changes is the move from Industry 4.0’s automation and connectivity to Industry 5.0’s human-centric values. Rather than focusing solely on efficiency and productivity, Industry 5.0 incorporates sustainability, resilience, and well-being as key pillars of progress.
With the global Industry 5.0 market expected to grow from $131.1 billion in 2022 to $658.4 billion by 2032, this transformation is not only philosophical but economic. Industry 5.0 builds upon technologies such as cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) while reorienting their purpose toward societal benefit.
This section of the article delves into how the Industry 5.0 transition is laying the foundation for a new era where health, performance, and sustainability are interconnected pillars of progress.
Technology-enabled healthcare
Healthcare forms the foundation of personal and public well-being. It plays a vital role in helping individuals and communities stay healthy and manage illness effectively. In the era of Industry 5.0, healthcare systems are under pressure to evolve in response to shifting needs—especially with an ageing population and a rise in chronic health conditions. New technologies are helping healthcare services become more effective, more accessible, and more responsive to patient needs.
Examples of these technologies include telemedicine, AI-supported diagnostics, and personalised medicine. Telemedicine allows people to speak to doctors remotely, which is especially helpful in rural areas or for those with limited mobility. AI-driven diagnostic tools help doctors detect diseases faster and more accurately, often before symptoms become serious. Meanwhile, personalised medicine adjusts treatments to match each patient’s unique needs, improving recovery and reducing costs.
Big data also plays an important role in modern healthcare. By analysing large volumes of health data, professionals can identify public health risks, track the spread of diseases, and evaluate how well different treatments work. This kind of data-led approach can lead to better planning, more targeted prevention strategies, and improved patient outcomes.
IBM Watson Health uses artificial intelligence to support doctors in diagnosing and treating patients by drawing insights from massive amounts of data. Philips is making progress through its use of AI and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, helping monitor patients remotely and improving care delivery in remote or under-resourced locations. Verily Life Sciences, part of Google’s parent company Alphabet, is also creating digital tools and wearables that make it easier to gather and act on health data.
The role of tech in livable urban futures
Technology is playing an important role in making cities better places to live. The idea of livability—how good life is in a city—includes things like safety, access to healthcare, transport, clean air, green spaces, and feeling included in society.
The smart city movement focuses on using modern technology to improve these aspects of urban life. Tools such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data are helping cities work more smoothly and respond better to people’s needs.
For example, smart sensors can track air quality and help manage energy use in buildings. AI systems can control traffic lights to reduce traffic jams and make roads safer. These technologies don’t just make cities more advanced—they help make them fairer, cleaner, and easier for everyone to live in.
By using real-time data and smart infrastructure, cities can improve public transport, reduce pollution, and make services more efficient. Some examples of smart city projects include:
- Sensors that monitor air pollution and noise levels
- AI tools that manage traffic and reduce congestion
- Buildings that save energy by adjusting lighting and temperature automatically
In short, technology is helping to build cities that are not only smart but also healthier, safer, and more enjoyable to live in.
Livability and the path to achieving the SDGs
Livability is an essential part of reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as it has a direct impact on the well-being and everyday life of people and communities. The SDGs aim to tackle global issues such as poverty, poor health, and unsustainable urban development. These goals closely align with the idea of livability, which focuses on creating environments where people can thrive. A livable city is not just modern and connected—it must also be inclusive, healthy, and accessible, with services like clean water, safe housing, healthcare, and reliable transport available to all.
One of the most relevant goals is SDG 11, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Achieving this goal means ensuring that urban areas promote well-being while also dealing with environmental and social challenges. Other goals, such as SDG 1 (ending poverty) and SDG 10 (reducing inequality), stress the need for equal access to opportunities and resources—another core principle of livability.
When cities provide affordable homes, quality education, healthcare, and decent work opportunities, they help build fairer, more connected societies. As cities grow, it is increasingly important to include sustainability in planning to tackle issues like overcrowding and pollution. Technology and data can help manage urban development better and ensure that improvements benefit everyone.
The environmental side of livability is just as important. SDG 13 calls for urgent climate action, while SDG 7 encourages the use of clean and affordable energy. Livable cities support these goals by focusing on energy efficiency, cutting pollution, and creating more green spaces.
Smart city technologies—such as systems powered by the Internet of Things (IoT) and tools that track environmental data in real-time—can help reduce waste, lower emissions, and make urban services more efficient. These innovations are helping cities not only improve life for their residents but also play a key part in the global effort to tackle climate change.
How livability supports a healthier, fairer society
Livability plays an important role in building a sustainable future. It directly affects how individuals and communities experience their daily lives. The idea of livability is not just about buildings and roads. It also includes social, economic, and environmental factors that help people live well.
A truly livable environment ensures that everyone has access to clean air and water, safe and affordable housing, reliable public transport, and a sense of safety. But beyond services, livability also means creating spaces where people can connect, find jobs, and enjoy a healthy environment.
As cities continue to grow, they become centres of opportunity and innovation. But urban growth also brings challenges such as traffic, pollution, and pressure on housing and public services. To tackle these problems, city planners and governments need to take a balanced approach. This includes using smart technologies, better planning, and involving local communities in decisions.
Livable cities are not just about comfort—they also support mental well-being, reduce stress, and build stronger, more resilient societies. As the world becomes more urban, making cities more livable is key to improving sustainability and the overall quality of life.
Addressing ethical challenges in health technology
As advanced technologies become more common in healthcare, important ethical and privacy issues must be considered. Using artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, for instance, brings benefits, but also raises questions about how data is handled.
Patient information must be kept secure, and people should always give clear consent when their data is used. There is also concern about the risk of bias in AI systems, which could lead to unfair outcomes. To build trust, it is important that these tools are used fairly and that patient rights are respected at all times.
Beyond technology, healthcare must also focus on the wider factors that affect people’s health. These are known as the social determinants of health and include things like income, education, housing, and working conditions.
These factors often shape how healthy a person can be throughout their life. By looking at both medical care and social challenges, healthcare systems can provide more complete and fair support for everyone in the community.
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