In modern society, the importance of information continues to grow, and we live our daily lives surrounded by vast amounts of it. Thanks to the widespread adoption of the internet and smartphones, we now have instant access to a wide variety of information—ranging from news and specialized knowledge to personal opinions and experiences.Furthermore, the ability to access information anytime and anywhere has significantly transformed the way we live, work, and learn. On the one hand, while anyone can now easily publish and share information, that information is not necessarily accurate or reliable.It is not uncommon for misinformation or unsubstantiated rumors to spread widely in a short period of time, making the ability to discern the truth of information more essential than ever. Therefore, rather than accepting information at face value, it has become crucial to compare multiple sources and verify the credibility of the source. Against this backdrop, the concept of “information literacy” has gained widespread attention throughout society. Information literacy refers to the ability to appropriately gather and analyze necessary information and utilize it correctly. In school education, there are increasing opportunities to learn about how to use the internet safely and effectively, as well as about information ethics.Furthermore, it has become common for companies to conduct information literacy training as part of their information security and compliance education programs. In recent years, in particular, the use of social media, video streaming services, and live streaming has expanded rapidly, significantly increasing the opportunities to obtain information through visual and auditory means.Consequently, people are expected to understand the intent and context behind content conveyed not only through text but also through video and audio, and to make objective judgments about it. As the amount of information—such as edited videos and content generated by AI—that is difficult to verify based on appearance alone continues to grow, the importance of critical thinking is expected to increase even further in the future. Furthermore, technological advancements are profoundly transforming our lives; developments in smartphones, cloud services, and AI technology are making possible services and experiences that were once unimaginable. For example, AI-powered automatic translation, image recognition, and speech recognition technologies are lowering barriers to international communication and expanding opportunities to engage with diverse cultures and languages.Furthermore, the use of generative AI for writing and programming assistance is becoming widespread, leading to an increasing number of situations where it significantly improves efficiency in work and learning. However, on the other hand, when utilizing these technologies, we must also address various challenges, such as protecting personal information and privacy, respecting copyright, and avoiding over-reliance on AI’s judgments.The more convenient a technology is, the more important it is to correctly understand its mechanisms and risks and to use it under appropriate guidelines. We are called upon to use technology while being mindful of our social and ethical responsibilities, all while maximizing its benefits. Thus, as people living in the modern world, we exist in an environment surrounded by diverse information and rapidly evolving technology.Adapting flexibly to these changes while developing the ability to interpret information correctly and to think and make judgments independently has become essential for thriving in the society of the future. Rather than simply accepting information and technology, an attitude of utilizing them appropriately and applying them in ways that are valuable to both ourselves and society will become increasingly important going forward.