The Human Advantage in the Age of Technological Uncertainties
Technology is an enabler in countless ways. It has empowered a range of shifts in society, reshaping how people learn and gain access to resources. AI-based technology, in particular, has opened new doors and possibilities for individuals with disabilities by giving them access to inclusive learning environments and improving their overall lives. It has significantly impacted industries by making experimentation and innovation possible in various aspects of manufacturing, healthcare, technology and more. That said, excessive reliance by individuals and organizations on AI and technology is cause for concern.
The Human Race is Dangerously Tilted Towards Technology
The fast pace of AI development and the lack of controls and procedures around its use are akin to owning a technology the power of which we do not fully comprehend. With the advent of quantum computing looking imminent, the integration of two such strong technologies sounds daunting (to the point of being frightening) if we do not regain control of these technologies. This can be overcome by issuing regulations that place guardrails for exerting some level of control while also being mindful of making human progress.
For now, global marketplaces and ecosystems are fragmented regarding AI, with various regions having non-cohesive regulations on AI governance. This becomes very challenging from a business operations perspective.
Technology is Turning Us Less Human
Humanity is all about experience, emotions, connections and taking time to know the individuals around us. With technology-powered tools and devices dominating our age, our perspectives on society and the world are shaped by the information that such tools present to us. Our excessive reliance on technology has disabled us from crossing the barriers to experience, sense and relate with others the way we used to.
How Do We Make Things Right?
It is unlikely that we can decelerate technology. However, we can focus on improving our proficiency in utilizing it. Here are a few ways to do that:
Invest in people: Some companies believe that technology can replace people to achieve certain operational efficiencies. The reality is that technology alone does not accomplish things; people do.
Technology must never come at the expense of people. Organizations need to combine people and technology, maximizing the best of both. As a society, we must use the education system, which can be particularly influential in exposing us early to the limits and possibilities of technology.
Take back control as users: Individuals must learn ways of using technology more effectively rather than being subservient to it. For instance, companies eagerly embraced ChatGPT when it was released, only to discover that it wasn’t quite so simple to use; that it didn’t provide all the answers to business problems. Should ChatGPT be blamed for this shortcoming? Technology is merely a tool; it is people who could not achieve the optimal use of the tool.
We need to strike a balance between using people and technology. It’s not a matter of shutting off the innovations we are witnessing. It is about being realistic regarding their fallibility and attempting to restore equilibrium between tools and people.
Avoid over-reliance on technology: What sets humans apart from technology is that people can be unreliable, unpredictable and creative. Technology may offer reliability and predictability, but it cannot be creative. The creative superiority of the human mind allows us to create solutions to problems that technology cannot solve. Sufficient examples exist around the limits of artificially inducing creativity. Take the introduction of satellite navigation in cars, for example. People blindly follow the satnav into a river or a canal because they over-trusted technology. That brings us to the next point: trusting humans over technology.
Trust, but verify: What has overreliance on technology done to our interdependent human societies and relationships? Unfortunately, it has had a big impact on how much people trust each other. We can no longer assume that the person we’re talking to over the internet is really the person we think we’re talking to. AI excels at mimicry – it has resulted in the spread of highly advanced deepfakes that have successfully lured people into malicious activities. As the human means of verification disappears online, individuals need to be more cautious in responding to requests that utilize technology to deceive users.
Final Thoughts
During a time of technological uncertainties, human resilience lies in our capacity to adapt, innovate and make ethical decisions—an ability that cannot be replicated by algorithms. Technology can process information and perform tasks more quickly, but humans possess empathy, critical thinking, intuition and the capacity to handle uncertainty. Human actions and vision determine how technology is developed and used, ensuring that it is employed more securely. Maintaining the optimal balance between technology and people can help us drive innovations for building a future that is safe and sustainable.
