Computing-Model and Computing-Hardware Selection for ICT Under Societal and Judicial Constraints

This article discusses a formalization of aspects of Cyber-Sovereignty (CyS) for information and communication technology (ICT), linking them to technological trustworthiness and deriving an associated paradigm for hard- and software design. The upcoming 6G ICT standard is considered a keystone within modern society’s increasing interconnectedness and automatization, as it provides the necessary technological infrastructure for applications such as the Metaverse or large-scale digital twinning. Since emerging technological systems increasingly affect sensitive human goods, hard- and software manufacturers must consider a new dimension of societal and judicial constraints in the context of technological trustworthiness. This article aims to establish a formalized theory of specific aspects of CyS, providing a paradigm for hard- and software engineering in ICT. This paradigm is directly applicable in formal technology assessment and ensures that the relevant facets of CyS – specifically, the principle of Algorithmic Transparency (AgT) – are satisfied. The framework follows an axiomatic approach. Particularly, the formal basis of our theory consists of four fundamental assumptions about the general nature of physical problems and algorithmic implementations. This formal basis allows for drawing general conclusions on the relation between CyS and technological trustworthiness and entails a formal meta-thesis on AgT in digital computing.