What Tech Humanism Means

Tech Humanism is a developing philosophy that emphasizes the critical relationship between technology and human experiences. It acknowledges that technology transcends mere tools or systems; it is intricately woven into our lives, influencing our behaviors and societal structures, while shaping our future as we engage with diverse technological forms.

This philosophy also engages with historical humanistic discourses surrounding technology, extending beyond traditional design principles. This includes, but isn't limited to, the Luddite movement, Martin Heidegger’s The Question Concerning Technology, Jacques Ellul’s The Technological Society, Jean Baudrillard’s Simulacra and Simulation, as well as contemporary contributions from Canadian-Ghanaian computer scientist and digital activist Joy Buolamwini, author of Unmasking AI and founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, and Safiya Noble’s Algorithms of Oppression and Cathy O’Neil’s Weapons of Math Destruction. These thinkers focus on centering humanity alongside technological advancement.

In the realms of Design and AI Rhetoric, where I operate, this philosophy represents an evolution from Human Factors, a field traditionally focused on enhancing the relationship between individuals and systems in workplaces, consumer goods, or digital interfaces.

Tech Humanism: Aligning Technology with Human Values and Ethics

In recent years, the term Tech Humanism has gained traction in technology design circles. It embodies a comprehensive approach that prioritizes human values, needs, and experiences in technological advancements. This philosophy extends beyond the conventional Human Factors scope, which typically centers on usability and ergonomics. While Human Factors aim to improve interactions between humans and systems for efficiency and comfort, Tech Humanism casts a wider net, exploring the broader societal impacts and ethical implications of technology.

This perspective insists on finding equilibrium, ensuring that technological advancements align with and promote fundamental human welfare and ethical norms.

As technology evolves rapidly and increasingly permeates various aspects of life, Tech Humanism stands out as a vital guide, steering us toward a future where technology enhances rather than detracts from human experience.

From Human Factors to Tech Humanism

The concept of Human Factors emerged during the Industrial Revolution, primarily aimed at improving industrial efficiency and worker productivity. The field evolved during World War II, where the design of safer and more effective equipment became critical. After the war, the emphasis shifted further toward ergonomics and the optimization of human-machine interactions, leading to user-centered design focused on enhancing usability and user experience across various domains, from workplaces to consumer electronics.

The shift towards Tech Humanism is a response to technology's increasingly pervasive role in daily life. As advancements accelerate, their influence extends beyond functionality, shaping social structures, cultural norms, and personal identities. This change necessitates a broader viewpoint that not only considers human interactions with technology but also how technology reshapes experiences, societies, and ethical considerations.

Tech Humanism reflects this expanded focus, advocating for a design philosophy that optimizes technology's use while thoughtfully addressing its broader implications for humanity and the environment. This evolution signifies a profound acknowledgment that technology, given its omnipresence, must be guided by a compassionate understanding of human values and societal needs.

Core Principles of Tech Humanism

Tech Humanism is founded on several core principles aimed at ensuring technology acts as a positive force in society. Central to this philosophy is Human-Centered Design, which underscores the necessity of tailoring technology to meet human needs and experiences.

This principle transcends mere usability, highlighting the importance of making technology accessible, intuitive, and responsive to diverse users. It advocates for designs that are functional, emotionally resonant, and culturally attuned.

Another fundamental tenet of Tech Humanism is Ethical Consideration. This principle emphasizes the need to address the privacy, security, and moral implications associated with technological advancements. It urges designers and developers to engage critically with the ethical dimensions of their work, including data usage, potential biases in AI systems, and broader ethical dilemmas posed by emerging technologies. This approach demands a conscientious effort to foresee and mitigate potential harms, ensuring technology adheres to ethical standards and respects individual rights.

Lastly, Tech Humanism considers the Societal Impact of technology. This principle acknowledges that technology does not exist in a vacuum; it significantly affects society as a whole. It involves recognizing and tackling issues like the digital divide—the gap between those with and without access to modern information and communication technology—and advocating for environmentally sustainable practices in tech development and usage. By recognizing and actively working to reduce technology's negative societal and environmental effects, Tech Humanism aims to ensure that technological advancements contribute positively to societal well-being.

Challenges in Implementing Tech Humanism

Introducing Tech Humanism in the fast-evolving tech landscape presents various challenges. One primary obstacle is Balancing Innovation and Human Values. This challenge entails navigating the delicate balance between pursuing technological advancement and adhering to ethical principles. As technology continues to push boundaries, aligning these innovations with human values such as privacy, equity, and well-being becomes increasingly complex.

Developers and designers must constantly assess the benefits of innovative technologies against potential ethical and societal costs.

Another significant challenge lies in Diversity and Inclusion. Tech Humanism promotes inclusive and accessible technology for all societal segments, regardless of age, gender, race, disability, or socio-economic status. However, achieving such inclusivity requires a deep understanding of diverse user needs and the elimination of biases in technology design. This challenge extends to ensuring representation and inclusivity not only in the final products but also within the teams conceptualizing and developing technology, fostering a diverse range of perspectives and experiences.

Predicting Long-Term Impacts also poses a significant hurdle for Tech Humanism. The rapid pace of technological change complicates the ability to foresee the long-term societal consequences of current developments. Innovations that appear beneficial today may result in unforeseen negative outcomes in the future, such as job displacement from automation or exacerbation of the digital divide. Anticipating these impacts calls for a forward-thinking approach and a commitment to ongoing evaluation and adaptation of technologies as societal needs and values evolve. This foresight is crucial for ensuring that today's technologies do not create tomorrow's dilemmas.

The Future Direction of Tech Humanism

The future trajectory of Tech Humanism is closely tied to the continuous development of emerging technologies and their growing influence on human experiences. As we delve deeper into the realms of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and the Internet of Things (IoT), the principles of Tech Humanism become increasingly critical in guiding these technologies toward positive outcomes.

The Role of Emerging Technologies

Artificial Intelligence (AI): The potential of AI to transform every aspect of our lives is immense. However, its development and deployment require careful management to ensure ethical use, fairness, and bias avoidance. Tech Humanism advocates for AI systems that are transparent, accountable, and designed with a thorough understanding of their effects on individuals and society.

Virtual Reality (VR): VR technology presents unprecedented opportunities in education, healthcare, and entertainment. However, it also raises concerns about psychological effects and the blurring of lines between reality and virtual experiences. Tech Humanism emphasizes the necessity for VR experiences that enrich human life while considering their potential psychological and social implications.

Internet of Things (IoT): As IoT connects more elements of our daily lives, concerns about privacy, security, and data sovereignty become critical. Tech Humanism calls for IoT systems that respect user privacy and ensure data security, fostering a technology ecosystem that is both interconnected and safe.

The Need for Interdisciplinary Collaboration

The complexities of contemporary technology necessitate collaborative efforts that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. Tech Humanism encourages cooperation among technologists, ethicists, sociologists, and designers to ensure that technology reflects a diverse range of human experiences and values. This interdisciplinary approach is essential for understanding technology's multifaceted impacts and for designing solutions that are ethical, equitable, and human-centric.

Education and Policy

Integrating Tech Humanism into STEM education and technology policy-making is crucial for creating a future where technology aligns with human values. Educational systems should impart not only technical skills but also an understanding of technology's ethical and social implications. Simultaneously, policymakers must establish regulations that promote responsible innovation and guard against technological misuse. Advocating for these changes is vital to ensuring that future technologists possess the skills and ethical framework necessary for navigating the complex landscape of modern technology.

The future of Tech Humanism lies in its ability to guide emerging technologies, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and influence education and policy. By doing so, it seeks to cultivate a future where technology not only enhances our capabilities but also enriches our humanity.

Tech Humanism serves as a critical philosophy in our increasingly digitized world, ensuring that the relentless advancement of technology aligns with and enhances human well-being. It serves as a reminder and a call to action, advocating that technology should not merely act as a tool for efficiency or profit but as a means to foster a more humane, equitable, and sustainable future. This approach is essential in constructing a world where technology uplifts our human experience rather than undermines it, solves genuine issues without creating new ones, and respects and enriches our diverse societal fabric.

The responsibility for embedding these principles within our technological landscape falls on the shoulders of designers, developers, policymakers, educators, and all stakeholders within the tech ecosystem. It is a collective call to action to adopt a more human-centric approach in the creation, deployment, and governance of technology. Designers and developers must weave empathy and ethical considerations into their creative processes. Policymakers must formulate regulations that prioritize human values and safeguard against technological misuse. Educators must prepare future generations to think critically about technology's role in society.

By embracing Tech Humanism, we can envision a future where technology serves as a bridge to deeper understanding, a tool for societal improvement, and a catalyst for human flourishing.

The path forward demands vigilance, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to the ideals of Tech Humanism, ensuring that technology acts as a beacon of progress that genuinely reflects and respects the depth and diversity of the human experience.

In an upcoming blog post, I intend to explore Tech Humanism through case studies. This perspective will offer valuable insights into how technology can be harnessed for the greater good while highlighting the pitfalls we should avoid. By examining real-world outcomes and their impacts on individuals, we can gain a deeper understanding of the significance of this field.

About me: Hello, my name is Kem-Laurin, and I am one half of the co-founding team of Human Tech Futures. I am currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Computational Rhetoric at the University of Waterloo, Canada. My research explores identity construction through contemporary judicial case studies that reveal how citizens’ data is collected and utilized. Whether data is harvested illicitly or willingly shared, the resulting algorithmic constructions hold significant power over users whose identities are quantified through information. My research objectives are to (1) develop a critical understanding that will allow me to (2) create concrete heuristic principles for use in AI-powered design systems, informed by my professional experience in systems design.

Professionally, I work as a Principal HCD Strategist and Design Thinking Coach. Previously, I led large Design and Research teams in HCD at Blackberry Autodesk and also worked at Siemens in Germany and the USA. In my spare time, I cultivate layered gardens with a tropical vibe while my 135-pound GSD observes. I feel fortunate to have traveled to over 25 countries before the world transformed into what it is today; I was able to experience a broad range of human experiences. Periodically, I give back as an active mentor to my students and many budding critically thinking HCD Researchers who aspire to make the world a better place.