Engaging with technology is an integral part of being human, especially as our online and offline lives converge. We trust technology with both trivial and critical processes and decisions. Technologies such as AI and machine learning – if used in the right way – make it possible to work and live more efficiently, allow time for more important and valuable activities, and help qualify decisions with insightful data.

If those technologies are used uncritically, however, we may find ourselves deprived of agency, and if implemented without popular acceptance, we will be subjected to algorithm bias. The effects can readily go unseen given technologies that enable us to enter parallel worlds— such as VR and the metaverse – are designed to shape our cognitive understanding. The same concern is valid for face recognition and biometrics, which can manipulate the human psyche more than we realize.

The population is divided regarding the perceived societal effects of digitalization. 50% of the population believe digital development will improve our economic growth and working conditions. On the other hand, 62% are concerned our privacy will decrease, while approximately 1/3 of the population believe economic equality and social coherence will worsen. Yet few have opted out of apps or services which were harming society or their well-being.

If we are to develop, regulate, and use digital technologies in accordance with democratic and sustainable principles, the first step is to activate critical sensibility. We need to understand technologies in order to successfully navigate the pitfalls. Escalating political focus on educating children in primary schools, such as the course ”Understanding Technology”, is a first step in response to these new challenges. The newest Digital Strategy established by the Danish government prioritizes the digital education of children and youth. Initiatives include the Digital Traffic Club promoting safe internet behavior and educational courses promoting healthy digital culture. It is extremely important as we can’t afford an A and a B-team in a world in which the digitalization is increasing.

New technologies change the world with unprecedented speed, and we have little chance of predicting how they will impact the future without critical thinking. This makes careful consideration and implementation of new technologies all the more necessary. A big risk to our shared future is the unforeseen consequences of using new technologies blindly. Especially in a world in which humans aren’t critical in their daily usage.

Technologies are inherently transgressive. Though most technologies are developed abroad, with tremendous output from Silicon Valley in particular, they often lead to global utilization. But technologies function differently in different contexts, and they have widely different effects. Understanding those contexts and effects will become a competitive driver for companies in the future.

It has become clear that so-called disruptive technologies are not disruptive in themselves. What makes them disruptive are the ways in which humans, systems, and organizations use them. And at this time, we are not spending nearly enough time researching the contextual and situational use of digital technologies. The missing link is to integrate the digital sphere with the human and cultural sphere.

Digital development requires a sophisticated approach to contextual and cultural understanding. Some digital needs are universal and can be predefined, but some are inherent in a specific context, for a specific target group, in a certain situation.

For actual human needs to be considered by specific technologies, the needs of a specific use-case must be investigated. Companies and institutions can achieve this by drawing on design traditions such as participatory design, while social sciences can help understanding the context of users, co-workers, citizens, and societal effects. Interestingly, up to 80% of a product’s environmental footprint is determined in the design phase. Therefore, considerate and thorough design processes are essential for reducing net impact.

Human beings are the solution and technology is the tool. Technologies will not define a good life, it will not inherently comply with planetary boundaries, or demonstrate what a well-functioning society looks like. Those questions need human answers, and they demand we define the values. We need to prioritize human life in every decision.