Digital and technological transformation: social challenges across domains

"Digital and Technological Transformation: Social Challenges Across Domains" course serves as a key component of the Digital and Technological Transformations in Health and Wellbeing micro-programme within the CIVIS HUB5 network, focusing on the integration of digital solutions and artificial intelligence to revolutionize cancer diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring.

The whole microprogramme consist of a set of 5 courses as follows:

C1: Digital and Technological Transformation: Social Challenges Across Domains, offered by Universidad Autónoma de Madrid starting February 2026. 

C2: Artificial Intelligence Tools in Health and Wellbeing, offered by Aix-Marseille Université, will introduce students with a biology, engineering or medical background to the principles of Machine Learning and the development of current Artificial Intelligence technologies. It will discuss recent developments in AI applications for health and critically examine how they transform the way health services are provided. (Exact dates of module implementation to be published at later stage).

C3: EU Law and the Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Health and Wellbeing, offered by Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, starting Spring 2026.

C4: Digital Transformations in Oncology, offered by University of Bucharest in the Fall of 2025.

C5: New Technologies in the Diagnostic and Treatment of Cancer, offered by Aix-Marseille Université, will provide an overview of the various scientific principles underpinning current technologies involved in the treatment of cancer, which overall are aimed at transmission and reception of the drug entity, and targeting of the diseased cell. (Exact dates of module implementation to be published at later stage).

"Digital and Technological Transformation: Social Challenges Across Domains” provides students with a critical perspective, examining how digital technologies are reshaping civic life, scientific research, organizational practices. The course addresses the opportunities presented by digital and technological transformations, while also analysing the new forms of inequality and ethical challenges they generate.

Students should not only be aware of the potential benefits and challenges of digital transformation but also be equipped with the skills and insights necessary to navigate these changes thoughtfully and ethically. The course intends to balance theoretical understanding with practical applications, case studies, and discussions about current and future challenges in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

The teachers of this pilot course are from four universities within CIVIS Alliance, Sapienza Università di Roma, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, University of Bucharest and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. They invite Bachelor’s level students to join them on a journey to discover how digital transformation impacts our lives. Students who participate in this course and enroll in the microprogram in the next academic year will not need to retake the course, as it will be automatically credited/recognized.

Main Topics

The curriculum covers foundational modules, including:

• Understanding the Impact of Digital and Technological Transformation.
• Analyzing Social Challenges and Ethical Considerations.
• Assessing the Interdisciplinary Nature of Digital Transformation.
• Evaluating Technological Solutions for Social Good.
• Building Critical Thinking and Adaptability Skills.
• Exploring Global Perspectives on Digital and Technological Transformation.
• Fostering Collaboration and Innovation.
• Preparing for Future Trends and Emerging Technologies.
• Promoting Digital Literacy and Responsible Use of Technology.

Each module includes lectures and workshops. Through these activities, students will apply theoretical insights to real-world scenarios in digital transformation.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Critically analyse the impact of digital technologies on society, including their influence on civic life, education, research, labour, and healthcare.
2. Identify and evaluate key ethical and social challenges related to digital transformation, such as inequality, privacy, and surveillance.
3. Understand the interdisciplinary nature of digitalization and its connections to social justice, sustainability, and public policy.
4. Explore and assess real-world technological solutions to pressing social issues through case studies and applied analysis.
5. Develop critical thinking and adaptability skills to navigate emerging technologies in both academic and professional contexts.
6. Apply principles of digital literacy and responsible technology use, including cybersecurity, digital citizenship, and ethical behaviour online.