How will the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 impact the evolution of technology and our relationship with it? To answer this question, Pew Research Center and Elon University’s Imagining the Internet Center surveyed 915 experts in technology, communications, and social change. The consensus? Prepare for a “tele-everything” world, where digital connections dominate work, education, healthcare, and social interaction.
A Double-Edged Sword: The Benefits and Risks of Increased Tech Reliance
The experts predict a future where the convenience and safety offered by digital tools will accelerate our reliance on them. This shift could bring significant benefits:
- Embracing Tele-Everything: Remote work, telemedicine, online learning, and e-commerce will become increasingly common. Expect to see more people working from home, socializing virtually, and spending less time in public spaces.
- Enhancing Human Connection and Action: The pandemic has highlighted our interconnectedness, fostering empathy, raising awareness of global challenges, and encouraging positive social action.
- Driving Technological Innovation: The urgent need for solutions has fast-tracked advancements in areas like synthetic biology, computational virology, and AI, potentially leading to more efficient drug testing, targeted disease therapies, and smarter health monitoring devices.
However, these experts also caution about potential downsides to this accelerated tech adoption:
- Exacerbating Inequality: The rapid shift to digital systems could widen the gap between the digitally connected and those with limited access or skills, further marginalizing vulnerable populations.
- Eroding Privacy and Empowering Authoritarianism: Increased reliance on technology could lead to reduced privacy as security measures become more sophisticated and intrusive, potentially enabling surveillance and control by authorities.
- Displacing Workers and Intensifying Job Insecurity: Automation, AI, and robotics will reshape the workplace, potentially leading to job losses, a rise in precarious gig work, and increased global competition for lower wages.
Navigating a World of Misinformation and Mental Health Challenges
Two significant concerns stood out in the survey:
- The Rise of Misinformation: The experts expressed deep concern about the spread of misinformation and digital propaganda, fearing it could further polarize societies, erode trust, and hinder rational discourse.
- Impact on Mental Health: The isolation and stress of increased digital dependence could negatively impact mental well-being, particularly as in-person interaction decreases.
Hope for a More Just and Equitable Future
Despite the challenges, a significant portion of the experts remain optimistic, envisioning a future where technology contributes to a more just and equitable society:
- Prioritizing Social Justice: The pandemic has fueled demands for social justice and economic equality, potentially leading to more responsive and inclusive social and political systems.
- Shifting Priorities Towards Well-being: The crisis could prompt a reevaluation of priorities, with businesses placing a higher value on the greater good and policymakers implementing stronger social safety nets.
- Improving Quality of Life: The shift towards remote work and virtual interactions could have environmental benefits, reduce urban congestion, and offer greater flexibility for families and individuals, enhancing overall well-being.
Shaping the Future: The Need for Conscious and Ethical Tech Development
The experts emphasize the importance of responsible and ethical tech development to ensure a future where technology benefits all:
- Addressing Algorithmic Bias and Discrimination: It’s crucial to acknowledge and address the potential for bias in AI and algorithms to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities.
- Promoting Data Privacy and Security: Robust data privacy and security measures are essential to protect individual rights and freedoms in an increasingly digital world.
- Fostering Digital Literacy and Access: Bridging the digital divide by promoting digital literacy and ensuring equitable access to technology is critical for a more inclusive future.
The “new normal” of 2025 presents both unprecedented challenges and extraordinary opportunities. By acknowledging the potential risks and harnessing the power of technology responsibly, we can shape a future where technology empowers, connects, and improves lives for all.