AT THE CORE: a human-centered approach to technology

At the core: a human-centered approach to technology

Flooded by new advancements in technology daily, we can often forget what makes it all work, and what the point of it all is, leaving us to go back to basics and examine how technology should enhance our lives, not replace us. Encouraging the human experience while reexamining organizational operations and the development of dynamics will prove to be beneficial in the future of technology. 


Yoon (2022) asserts that, “social media has exposed the perils of technology designed without humans at the center, and its harmful effects on our mental health and emotional wellness. We’re missing what we removed from our interactions a decade ago: humanity, intimacy, depth, and empathy”. This demonstrates that in order to give audiences what they expect from technology, such as ease of use, efficiency, and connection, they need to be part of the development. Yoon (2022) adds that we need, "real conversations instead of mass influence". 

Deloitte asserts that in the 2021 Global Human Capital Trends report, it "highlighted that humans and technology are more powerful together than either can be on their own" (Langsett, 2021). Langsett (2021) outlines six key areas that improve the relationship between technology and those who use it, specifically in workplace environments; however, it is clear the correlation between professional and personal use of technology and the incorporation into daily lives. This includes:

1) Collaboration & Communication- Participating as a team by knowledge sharing through designated channels. 

2) Design- Developed in human-centric ways, resulting in tools that require minimal training. 

Langsett (2021) adds, "providing high-impact technology experience requires a delicate balance between identifying the tools and technologies that will help increase productivity and efficiency while also maintaining a focus on the human experience". 

3) Work Enablement- Leveraging the right type of technology to accomplish work efficiency.

 Langsett (2021) states that, "unified engagement platforms can provide seamless user experiences". 

4) Personalization- Technology that caters to needs and preferences of workers, just as they would expect outside of work. 

Yoon (2022) asserts that the future of technology should implement sociological factors into decisions, stating, "we'll redefine social contracts in the virtual world, where emotion, trust, and safety become our most important currencies". 

(See also: Expectation: Personalization).

5) Consistency- Technology that enables seamless transitions regardless of where the work is done. 

Langsett (2021) states that, "to accommodate the future of work in a virtual environment, organizations need to expand on their technical capabilities and infrastructure".

6) Data- Ability to access real-time information to drive decision-making. 


Lastly, Cancialosi (2018) asserts, "trust and voice, in turn, help positively shape the culture of the organization". This demonstrates that incorporating in the human experience and taking a human-centered approach with the development and use of technology, it can help guide decisions that benefit organizations as well as society as a whole. 


References

Cancialosi, C. (2018, November 6). The Critical Role Of Culture In Technology Transformation. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/chriscancialosi/2018/11/06/the-critical-role-of-culture-in-technology-transformation/?sh=66d64b8e3807

Langsett, M. (2021, March 4). The human and technology relationship in the workplace. Deloitte. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/blog/human-capital-blog/2021/the-human-and-technology-relationship-in-the-workplace.html

Yoon, S. (2022, May 10). 17 ways technology could change the world by 2027. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/05/17-ways-technology-could-change-the-world-by-2027/

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