The future has nothing to do with technology.

Technology is only a means to an end. It is a tool that we use to problem solve, be more efficient, and innovate. But the ultimate goal is not to create technology for technology’s sake; it is about improving aspects of our work and everyday lives to make it more fulfilling. And that is something that can only be achieved by focusing on people.

For decades, there has been a common perception that advancements in technology, particularly within the areas of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), will be the driving force behind societal progress and shape how we “work, play, learn and communicate” (Patel, 2022). From smartphones to social media, from machine learning to self-driving cars, there seems to be no end to the exciting new technologies that are being developed. However, this intense focus on seeking a “tech-based” economy has made us overlook the fundamental role that human beings play in constructing such a future.

We [Team 11] were guilty of this when constructing our future scenario. We led with questions like “How can technology shape the future of work? What are the potentials of technology in the future? What power will it hold? How will it be applied? How can it drive the economy?

Yet, upon personal reflection, it was clear that the future has nothing to do with technology, it was about the user. Like the concept of money, technology can mean nothing in the future if we choose to give it no value. This op-ed will reflect my journey and thought process on how I reached this conclusion.

As the saying goes: “For the sake of Humanity!”

In an ironic sense, Steve Jobs, the founder of one of the largest tech companies we have today (Apple), said:

“Technology is nothing. It is about good and smart people- and if you give them tools, they will do wonderful things with them”.

What did Jobs mean by saying this? From my perspective, his philosophy was grounded in the idea that revolutionary changes will require a strong, dynamic interplay between technology and the humanities. As previously mentioned, this is because the ultimate goal is not to build technology for technology’s sake; it is about making it for our intended purposes and human needs.

This is why it is important to note that the creation of technologies is significantly dependent on the social institutions, trends, and values (both personal and group) that prevail within a given context. As the author, Emmanuel (1968), suggests in his seminal article, “the social decision to develop a particular technology is made from the principle of its predicted first-order effects” (Emmanuel, 1968, p.161). Accordingly, these “first-order effects” are usually deemed positive and desirable as they provide a solution to a pressing issue.

For a contemporary application of this concept, COVID-19 renewed and amplified our values of collaboration, humanity, and social interaction. Being forced online emphasised certain platforms' limitations in attending to such ideals [connection, community, collaboration]. As a result, the onset of the global pandemic provided the necessary conditions for the Metaverse to be designed and promoted (Simon, 2020). In turn, the Metaverse’s initial entrance into the market generated significant buzz as it presented itself as the antidote that allowed people to “do things across distance” (Lovich, 2022). This was especially attractive to organisations and their employees who embraced new hybrid and remote work models.

Within this context, once the Metaverse’s potential is fully realised, we must also consider its impending “ubiquity and intimacy” (Turkle, 2003) in our daily routines- a central theme explored within our [Team 11’s] experiential future performance.

The Dark Side

In turn, as we develop innovations (e.g., the Metaverse) that seem to benefit society (first-order effects), the downstream ramifications (second and third-order effects) of their integration are often forgotten or ignored. As our [Team 11’s] cross-impact grids highlighted, the Metaverse can exacerbate issues relating to digital fatigue and overload. Whilst it may be fun to immerse yourself in a virtual world, it could be more mentally taxing than browsing the internet or using social media.

From a business perspective, employees may suffer from the “always-on” phenomenon. Scholars have argued that the Metaverse and other technologies that aim to support the needs of the future workforce, such as making it more flexible, will ironically generate a “work-life blur” rather than a “work-life balance” (Nankervis, 2019). This is because the nature of the online, virtual workplace can strategically “expand normal office hours” (Nankervis, 2019), “blurring” the boundaries between personal and professional life as a result.

Using a Human-Centred Approach to Tech in the Business Environment

The current narrative that places “tech-first” at the forefront of business conversations must decidedly shift closer to “human-first”. As Tatlow (2021) stated in her op-ed, “the importance of vulnerability and empathy has never been more crucial” (Tatlow, 2021). This is because while there are numerous wonderful tools to help nurture this, there is no alternative for a thoughtful, open-minded approach to each and every interaction — be it on Zoom, in-person, or in the future Metaverse. She further states, “whether you are an employer or a team member, we cannot afford to lose sight of this and stay accountable to one another” (Tatlow, 2021).

Accordingly, organisations must generate a stronger dedication towards human-centred technology design in tandem with human-centred workplace practices. Whilst completing the back-casting exercise, it was evident that the business environment remains intensely focused on maximising productivity and profits (the current state). In turn, organisations must shift their values towards embracing more qualitative measures- like creativity (the transition zone). This is why technology has nothing to do with the future; it is all determined by the principles of who, how, and why we operate them. By doing so, we are able to reach a desired state of a tech-enhanced future over one that can be exploited by it.

Thus, the dramatic, oscar-winning one-liner that concluded our performance is actually a defining truth that we should think deeper about as we navigate what is yet to come. So, I leave you with this,

“We must control the tools we create”.