A quote from Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum:
I “…sometimes I wonder whether the inexorable integration of technology in our lives could diminish some of our quintessential human capacities, such as compassion and cooperation. Our relationship with our smartphones is a case in point. Constant connection may deprive us of one of life’s most important assets: the time to pause, reflect, and engage in meaningful conversation” (2016, 28).
But: ““Neither technology nor the disruption that comes with it is an exogenous force over which humans have no control. All of us are responsible for guiding its evolution, in the decisions we make on a daily basis as citizens, consumers, and investors” (2016, 29).
For example, on Augmented Reality technology (AR): “if executed poorly, AR could further degrade the quality of our interactions, isolating us inside our own digital bubbles” (Tal, 2015, para. 19).
Something else to consider: threat of growing inequality as more and more low-skilled workers lose their jobs to machines, while highly-talented/ skilled individuals are prized and paid a premium (The Future of Jobs, 2016, pg. 2-3).
Schwab again: “However, I am convinced of one thing—that in the future, talent, more than capital, will represent the critical factor of production. This will give rise to a job market increasingly segregated into “low-skill/low-pay” and “high-skill/high-pay” segments, which in turn will lead to an increase in social tensions” (2016, para. 9).
