Thinking ahead to the year 2047...
In a post-modernist and even a post-pandemic world now, human lives have certainly become technologically rich. Technological advancement reached its heights in late 20th century, getting carried to the early 21st century and suddenly hit the sky in 2020, when the world operations were shut due to COVID-19.
When human interaction wasn't allowed in person, technology is what kept most people connected, who had the access and resources. In an ever-more technologically connected world, how do we as one society, think of our future is a question of prime concern, especially at this junction where 2022 soon will be a thing of the past, as the page of time turns to 2023.
In my opinion, if we think ahead to 15 years from now, which is year 2047, we can only expect the world to be way more technologically advanced. The rate of advancement in terms of both creation of technology as well as its acceptance and implementation is unfathomable.
Speaking for education as a case in point, we can easily imagine the learners of 2047 to be technologically literate from a young age as they will be born and raised in a world where technology won't be scarce. But what is concerning to note is that how will technology affect the learning and learners of 2047? What do we today as technology consumers and creators to ensure technology is not merely a supplemental resource to classroom teaching?
How do we design our future in a way that the future learners are able to use technology to learn and retain better? Since technology will be a given, at most places and part of the world, the larger question is how'd it impact the society of 2047 and beyond? These are some of the questions we need to ponder over today, as the actions we take today, as technology consumers and creators will shape the future of the current generations as well as the generations to come.
Hence, it is important to remember for current technology creators to ensure that the future technologies are humanity-centered, based on social good and ethical principles, and have the least or nil scope of causing any damage to all the current and future stakeholders of our planet, be it children, adults, animals or plants, as technology impacts society in subtle ways, even if technology in itself is abstract and objectively-neutral.
The future we envision for 2047 depends on the foundation we lay today with our social, moral, political, and ecological beliefs and regulations as they weave the very fabric of an age. Future trends are always based on past decisions. The co-construction of this future starts today from our homes, offices, schools, online communities, etc.
The dialogues and sensitivity we have today will shape the belief systems and policies, both social and technological, of tomorrow. Hence, the right time to think of 2047, where society will be evidently much more technologically empowered is now as we prepare to enter 2023 and beyond.
Hello Namita! I totally agree with you on the idea that technology will be way more advanced in the future. Who would think, more than one decades ago, mobile phones were not an indispensable part of our lives now everything is built upon the internet and the accessibility of phones. It is really important that we think ahead and plans for the next generation of learners and the society of 2047. This makes me think that we must act now and ensure that technological resources are used for the social good and with strong ethical considerations after reading your blog. However, another important question to consider is what role will technology have in equity and social justice? Technology has the potential to be a force for positive change, but without proper regulation and oversight, it can be used to further widen the gap between those with access to technology and those without. What are some ways we can ensure technology is used as a tool to advance social justice and equity?
ReplyDelete