Compare and Contrast: How Does Tech Influence Different Cultures?
The tech industry plays a vital role in shaping cultures around the world, but its influence can vary significantly across different societies. In countries like Japan and South Korea, technology is deeply integrated in daily lives, from cutting-edge robotics to the widespread use of AI in eldercare. On the other hand, in Canada, while technology is equally important, its influence leans more towards healthcare solutions, eco-friendly initiatives, and maintaining personal independence for seniors. The contrast between these counties highlights how cultural values can shape the development of technology and the way each culture addresses modern challenges with it.
Technological Advancements in Aging Populations
According to the Population Reference Bureau, Japan has the highest percentage of seniors (65+) in the world, with 28.2% of its population compared to Canada’s 17.2%. In response, Japan has embraced technology, such as eldercare robots and self-driving cars, to enhance mobility and convenience for seniors and address workforce shortages caused by its aging population. If you want to dive deeper into this topic, check out the embedded YouTube video where TRT World demonstrates a robot used to care for the country’s elderly. While Canada also focuses on tech advancements, its investments are centered around healthcare technology and smart home devices, enabling seniors to age in place and maintain independence.
https://youtu.be/4Run-Jquj2c?si=pkmkE19KcXHcazII
By 2036, one in three people in Japan will be aged 65 or older, with the senior population projected to reach 38% by 2050 by a report done by the Eurasian Research Institute. This creates significant demand for eldercare technologies, including robotics and AI, to address caregiving shortages.
Appearances and Cultural Pressures
The societal pressure to maintain a youthful appearance often intersects with technology through innovative procedures and advancements in cosmetic surgery. South Korea is renowned for its beauty industry, with a large culture of plastic surgeries driven by cultural expectations surrounding youthfulness. According to the Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England, cosmetic groups in South Korea have taken a step further in utilizing technology for cosmetic advancements, using motion sensor surgical instruments alongside a AI programme that can advise the operating surgeon on requirements to achieve the most optimal outcome.
While cosmetic surgery is less emphasized, Canadian beauty culture has increasingly adopted digital innovations, particularly in skincare. Apps that provide virtual consultations, augmented reality (AR) tools for trying out makeup or hairstyles, and AI-based skincare diagnostics are growing in popularity. Canadians often prefer non-invasive technologies such as laser treatments, microneedling, and dermal fillers, combined with tech-driven beauty solutions.
Cultural Drawbacks with Aging in Tech
One of the most significant questions arising from the rapid pace of technological advancement is: when does technology become so advanced that it becomes unrecognizable or inaccessible to certain populations? While innovations in digital applications and tech are continually providing convenience by moulding itself to fit unique cultural and societal needs, these advancements also come with inherent drawbacks, particularly in societies with aging populations.
- Digital Alienation
In countries with a large population of seniors, like Japan and Korea, when technology has been deeply integrated into daily lives, the older demographic may struggle with a sense of digital alienation. Although Japan is a leader in developing robotics for eldercare, many seniors may feel uncomfortable interacting with machines in a caregiving role, preferring traditional human interaction.
- Economic Disparities and Access to Technology
The significant cost of consistently integrating new technologies, particularly for eldercare and cosmetics, can also be a barrier. Countries like Canada, South Korea and Japan often offer government programs and public-private partnerships that are developed to support their citizens, however, these technologies may still not be accessible to all. Wealthier individuals are more likely to benefit from advancements in telemedicine, eldercare robots, and the latest plastic surgery technologies, leaving lower-income groups at a disadvantage and creating a widening gap in what is considered the societal norm in some of these cultures.
What does this mean for the future of tech?
As these countries continue to develop their technologies, making them tailored to their cultural and societal needs, there will most likely be cross-pollination of ideas. Aging societies will continue to be major drivers of tech innovation, as Japan and Korea’s investment in robotics and AI in eldercare may lead the world globally, influencing countries like Canada. Companies focusing on tech for aging populations will find huge markets, particularly in Japan, which holds the largest elderly population out of the three.
A report by Statista reveals that South Korea’s market for general and plastic surgery devices is projected to reach a revenue of US $0.37 billion by the end of this year, with an expected market volume of US $0.55 billion by 2029, highlighting the growing trend towards enhancing physical appearance in the country.
Why should you care?
Understanding how cultural values shape the development and adoption of technology is key to understanding the future of tech. Whether it’s self-driving cars, eldercare robots, or AI healthcare, the solutions being developed today will affect how we all age tomorrow. The aging population is not just a regional issue in these respective countries. The new technologies created in response to the effects of againing in Korea, Japan, and Canada will have global implications, influencing how other cultures will provide support and care for their elderly. If you are in tech, healthcare, or policy, taking notice of these trends can prepare you to contribute to or benefit from innovations designed for aging populations and cultural societies.
Written by Sarah Lieng
