We are currently engaged in a psychological battle with what many consider to be the most powerful propaganda machine in history. The question remains: will we survive it?
A significant number of experts believe that sweeping societal changes will worsen life for most people. They cite increasing inequality, rising authoritarianism, and rampant misinformation as key factors. However, some hold out hope that a “tele-everything” world could improve workplaces, healthcare, and social activities.
The Pew Research Center and Elon University’s Imagining the Internet Center have conducted their 12th “Future of the Internet” canvassing. This effort aims to gather expert opinions on critical digital issues, particularly the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the evolution of human-technology interactions. The canvassing, conducted between June 30 and July 27, 2020, involved 915 technology innovators, developers, business and policy leaders, researchers, and activists.
Pandemics disrupt essential structures like health systems, economic life, and social relations. The COVID-19 outbreak is no exception. Experts predict that by 2025, people’s reliance on digital connections for work, education, healthcare, and social interactions will deepen. This shift is often described as a move towards a “tele-everything” world.
Many respondents foresee significant changes that will exacerbate economic inequality. Those who are highly connected and tech-savvy will pull further ahead, while those with less access to digital tools will fall behind. The power of big technology firms is expected to grow, further eroding user privacy and autonomy. The spread of misinformation is another major concern, with many experts fearing the manipulation of public perception through online disinformation.
Despite these concerns, some experts are hopeful. They believe the pandemic could lead to reforms aimed at racial justice and social equity. Flexible workplace arrangements could improve the quality of life for many families and workers. Advances in virtual and augmented reality and AI could enable smarter, safer, and more productive lives.
The experts’ responses reveal a mix of optimism and pessimism. About 47% believe life will be mostly worse for most people by 2025, while 39% think it will be mostly better. Another 14% believe life will not be much different from what it would have been without the pandemic.
The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital tools, both for good and ill. The broad embrace of “remote” processes like telework, telemedicine, and virtual schooling is growing. By 2025, more people will work from home, engage in virtual social interactions, and make fewer public forays.
However, the crisis has also magnified social and racial inequality, worsened security and privacy, and spread misinformation. The advantaged enjoy more benefits, while the disadvantaged fall further behind. The growing power of technology firms and the spread of lies via social media threaten social, political, and economic systems.
On the flip side, the pandemic has also spurred calls for social justice and a focus on human well-being. There is a chance to reconfigure major systems like capitalism, education, and healthcare. Advances in AI, smart cities, data analytics, and virtual reality could make systems safer and more humane.
Experts urge that social justice be prioritized and that technology design focus on human well-being. The reawakening of public movements for social justice could create more responsive government and sociopolitical systems. Businesses may start to value serving the greater good, leading to policies that fund broader safety nets like universal healthcare and basic income.
In summary, we are in a psychological war with a powerful propaganda machine. The outcome is uncertain, but there is hope that we can emerge stronger and more equitable. The future will likely feature both positives and negatives, and our ability to navigate these changes will determine our survival.
