Sociotechnical imaginaries and public communication: Analytical framework and empirical illustration using the case of artificial intelligence.

Journal: Convergence (London, England)
Published Date: Apr 28, 2025

Abstract

The concept of sociotechnical imaginaries (SIs) has been widely used and proven fruitful to understand diverging trajectories of technologies. While scholars have acknowledged the multi-layered materialisation of SIs and highlighted the importance of the communicative layer therein, this aspect has remained under-conceptualised. Therefore, we propose an analytical framework to better understand Sociotechnical Imaginaries in Public Communication (SIPCs), defined as constructed visions of (un)desirable sociotechnical futures that guide action, mobilise resources and lay out trajectories for the materialisation or prevention of those futures. In this article, we first discuss relevant strands of research on SIs and public communication. We then lay out the analytical framework of SIPCs that enables the rigorous reconstruction and comparison of sociotechnical imaginaries in public and mediated communication. Finally, we illustrate the framework with examples from public communication about artificial intelligence, an emerging key technology in contemporary societies.

Authors

  • Saba Rebecca Brause
    University of Zurich, Switzerland.
  • Mike S Schäfer
    University of Zurich, Switzerland.
  • Christian Katzenbach
    University of Bremen, Germany; Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society, Germany.
  • Yishu Mao
    Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Germany.
  • Vanessa Richter
    University of Bremen, Germany.
  • Jing Zeng
    Department of Pharmacy, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, NO139, Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.

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