“Hey Siri, play my favorite song.”
Gone are the days of the waiting period. Now, you just need a simple voice command to listen to your favorite song, news, podcast, or anything. We are amid technological disruptions, where machines are becoming an integral part of human lives so much so that they have become an integral component of human intellect. Our interactions with Siri, Google, and Alexa are all examples of the confluence of technology and human experiences, a phenomenon known as Tech Humanism. Though still in its nascent stages, this notion represents our future, spurred by technology’s rapid growth and integration.
Technology permeates every part of our life, approaching to be omnipresence in the manner of the ancient Greek deity Argus Panoptes, who had eyes all over his body and could monitor all he saw, even when sleeping—closing just one eyelid while the others remained open. This is consistent with our present interactions with technology such as Alexa, OK Google, and Siri, which maintain an unwavering vigilance.
However, it’s important to recognize that emerging technology doesn’t have to steer us toward a dystopian reality where humans are subservient to machines. We must understand that humans create technology, not the other way around. Therefore, just as Apollo used art to oust Argus, we can ensure that technology remains consistent with human principles by embracing basic human values.
Industry 4.0 – The New Digital Era
When discussing ‘Tech Humanism’, we find ourselves amid Industry 4.0, heralding a new digital era marked by transformation rather than mere revolution. With Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Automation, and Visual Reality, the current age is all about connectivity, advanced analytics, automation, and cutting-edge manufacturing technology.
This wave of change in technological development gained momentum by 2019 reaching a pinnacle where various organizations, both governmental and private, are preparing to implement its diverse facets.
Industry 4.0 introduces four foundational types of disruptive technologies that permeate every aspect of human life:
- Data and Connectivity
- Analytics and Intelligence
- Human-Machine Interaction
- Advanced Engineering
Every technology, from AI and machine automation to VR, AR, and cloud computing, falls under the umbrella of these four disruptive technologies.
However, technology is only one part of the Industry 4.0 equation. To succeed in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, organizations must emphasize educating individuals not just for critical upskilling and reskilling, but also to maintain the basic ingredient that characterizes our existence: Humanity.
New Digital Age & Humanity: Embracing Each Other
We all are going through the age of technological disruption. However, that is not the question to be concerned about but how to keep embracing humanity. The concept of humanity and technology (essentially dominated by machines) are two different things. But the latter can be embraced for the betterment of the former.
As we traverse this digital terrain, we must embrace cutting-edge technologies while maintaining and even improving our fundamental human values. It is critical to understand that, while machines may become smarter, they will never exceed humans. Although machines may have better IQs, they will always lack emotional intelligence (EQ). This parallels the scenario during the rise of the computer revolution when new technology supplemented rather than replaced human work. Hence, rather than fearing a machine takeover, humans may use current technological advances to their advantage.
One of the most important aspects of this junction is the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on our civilization. AI can transform organizations by streamlining procedures and increasing efficiency. It also has the potential to alter how humans behave, think, and even live. As a result, it is critical to guarantee that AI systems are created and deployed ethically, with an emphasis on upholding human dignity, justice, and accountability.
Furthermore, by embracing technologies such as AI and automation, we can move a few steps closer to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focusing on creating a more sustainable, fair, and prosperous society for everyone. For instance, according to experts, AI can be leveraged to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education- SDG 4 of the UN.
Another way that technological advancement may help us embrace humanity and defend human values is to examine the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) consequences of our activities. We may employ cutting-edge technologies to monitor progress against key performance indicators aligned with the SDGs and ESG standards.
At the heart of this conversation is the awareness that technology should serve people rather than the other way around. It is about using the potential of innovation to raise and empower individuals and communities while maintaining their sovereignty and dignity.
How Can We Work Towards Incorporating Technology to Uphold Human Values?
As we look ahead, it’s evident that the digital era brings both potential and difficulties. By embracing new technology while respecting human values, we can create a more inclusive, sustainable, and compassionate society for future generations. Nothing can be more effective than teaching today’s generation the significance of adopting new technology while maintaining essential human values.
Young generations are the future and it will be them who will reap the full benefits of Industry 4.0. Hence, teaching them to inculcate human values while using these technologies is the need of the hour.
In this context, AI will revolutionize the way universities educate and how students learn, its application in higher education is now a reality. According to an IDC survey, 99 percent of American higher education institutions think that artificial intelligence (AI) will play a major role in boosting competitiveness in the years to come. For example, The University of Michigan developed a program called “M-Write” that uses an algorithm to detect certain parts of a written work to assist academics in tackling writing assignments at scale. On the other hand, Georgia State University has launched “Pounce,” an AI-enhanced chatbot, to assist new students in settling into college. Interestingly the chatbot has been found to improve student performance not only in classes but also overall.
Not only in developed countries but also in rapidly growing ones like India, where educational institutions are utilizing AI to boost productivity and encourage students to succeed. Globsyn Business School is a shining example in this regard. The B-School has focused rigorously on incorporating technology and innovation into its curriculum.
Examples of this can be taken from GBS’s endeavor to offer hybrid classrooms, top-notch laboratories, a wifi campus, and so on. GBS has also conducted seminars and research to shed light on the importance of AI and other technologies within the education sector through its Vision Seminars on topics like Sustainability in the Age of Disruption, Technology in Management in the Age of Industry 4.0, and Embracing AI for Humanity – the most recent one in 2024, with an emphasis on AI’s ability to enhance rather than replace human capabilities. The seminar focused on some aspects of AI that are immediately relevant to academics, corporations, research scholars, government officials, NGOs, social workers, students, and the general public so that appropriate deliberations can lead to the greater good and prosperity of humanity, as well as the development of universal human values in organizations and leaders.
Conclusion
Several examples demonstrate how humanity can thrive in the digital age by embracing change and adhering to human values. However, the word count is limited, so most, if not all, of the examples cannot be listed. In summary, however, it is quite possible to use modern technology to further the progress of humanity. This may be accomplished by upholding human values and enhancing them with the use of modern technologies.