Comfort, energy and inclusion: when technology meets social sciences
To meet its decarbonisation targets, the European Union is increasingly relying on technology. More solutions. More advanced. And more efficient.
But sometimes, key factors are overlooked. The fact that, as recently as 2023, nearly 45% of Europeans aged 16 to 74 still lacked basic digital skills. The fact that technological solutions do not always match the real needs of their end users. Or that people may not be willing — or able — to use them, especially if they feel imposed rather than involved.
In our ageing European society, characterised by a growing share of older people who are not always familiar with digital tools, bridging this gap is crucial for decarbonisation efforts to be truly collective.
By merging social sciences and technology, and paying special attention to vulnerable social groups, the European project Dedalus puts the human factor back at the centre of the equation, ensuring that the solutions developed respond to the real needs of end users. Because technology is essential — yet only part of the equation. And for it to be effective, it must first be trusted, accepted, and easy to use.
