The FORGING methodology, inspired by Industry 5.0 principles, provides a human-centred and needs-driven approach to co-elaborate use cases for emerging technologies, emphasizing social and environmental considerations. Through structured steps, the methodology aims to define actionable use cases, ensuring technology serves human and societal needs. It promotes a collaborative support in navigating emerging technologies facilitating dialogue between industry and academia.
Description
The goal of the practice is to ensure that emerging technologies are deployed in ways that are not only innovative but also aligned with the values of Industry 5.0, where human well-being is at the heart of technological advancement.
The methodology shifts focus from technology capabilities to its societal impact. Launched as a facilitation guide, it incorporates a three-canvas approach: (1) identifying key problems and solutions, (2) outlining use-case elements such as technology, stakeholders, resources, and obstacles, and (3) finalizing a well-defined use case considering both benefits and impacts.
The practice supports public research and innovation priorities by addressing social and environmental concerns in technology application. It is a tool adaptable to different contexts, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
The methodology was implemented through the workshop series "Novel Enabling Technologies for a Sustainable Future," facilitated by APRE in 2024. These co-creation workshops aimed to develop potential use cases for sustainable and responsible emerging technologies across specific application sectors. The series is part of the FORGING value-sensitive innovation journey, focusing on engaging the broader tech community to foster market uptake of responsible technologies.
For more information: FORGING – Forum to uncover the potential of emerging enabling technologies
Achievements & learning
In June (12-14), November (14-15), and December (11-13) 2024, APRE hosted co-creation workshops as part of FORGING’s event series “Novel Enabling Technologies for a Sustainable Future”. These sessions brought together a total of 110 professionals from industry and academia to explore the transformative potential of emerging technologies, aligning their work with the European Commission’s vision for Industry 5.0—focused on human-centric, sustainable, and resilient solutions.
The workshop series successfully demonstrated the methodology’s value in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and actionable innovation. Key achievements include co-defining use cases tailored to sector-specific challenges, supporting industries in navigating the emerging technology landscape and promoting responsible innovation.
The workshops provided a platform for exchanges about sustainable futures while integrating technical, societal, and environmental perspectives. Learnings highlight the importance of structured tools to guide problem identification and solution refinement and the value of involving diverse stakeholders to ensure practical, impactful outcomes. FORGING provided an invaluable opportunity for experts to come together, exchange ideas, and collaborate across different disciplines and sectors. The co-creation process and the methodology developed by the hosting partner ensured that all perspectives were considered when envisioning the future of technology—one that prioritises human needs, sustainability, and resilience. 4 use-cases were co-defined in the Artificial Intelligence field, 3 in Cyber-safe data technologies, 3 on Bio-inspired technologies, 4 on real-time based Digital Twins & simulation technologies and 4 on Human Centric Solutions & Human-Machine Interaction.
See the descriptions of those use-cases
Partners and sponsors
Funded by the European Union – Grant agreement 101070200