5 ways we should fear technology

Technology is advancing, and user habits are following. It can be tempting to either blindly embrace technology or feel scared, and fear is a natural emotion we shouldn't ignore. As a general rule it's probably better for us to act in a spirit of optimism rather than outright terror, but technology presents some concerning issues we should be aware of.

For clarity, the purpose of this article isn't to build up an evidence base for more fear. It's not 5 reasons, it's 5 ways. When technology increases the impact of our coaching we have an ethical responsibility to leverage it, and this takes wisdom. Through highlighting five of the potential pitfalls here we prepare ourselves to engage with technology in an appropriate way.

That appropriate way feels to me like a particular approach to fear. The Abrahamic faiths in particular talk about "fearing" God, but the meaning hidden behind that word isn't about feeling frightened. It's about a reverence that comes from being mindful of power, and that's the sort of approach I think we should adopt when thinking abuot technology.

1 Fear that it will make coaching worse

Technology allows us to coach in new ways. Online sessions, AI insights, virtual reality experiences, and new coaching experiences made possible through technology. These can enhance our work, but change the core dynamics of the relationship. The comparison between in-person and remote coaching illuminates this well; we trade some of the small talk for convenience. On the surface, the cost-benefit analysis on this is clear, because the efficiency gains are so great, and yet my experience is that rapport is better over a cup of tea. Where's the tipping point at which we should say no?

Like a painter acquiring a camera, new technology grants us new capabilities but takes away what we might call a purity. An accurate portrait loses its worth if the subject's soul isn't captured. As coaches, we must remember that relationships are at the heart of our work, and technology has a tendency to distract from that. We must revere technology's power to transform while staying grounded in meaning.

Many coaches have experienced this; we invest a frustrating time in a video call full to the brim with lags and glitches, and have to go for a walk to settle ourselves down. When we return, an email reveals the impact made across the miles. Technology offered some benefit, got in the way, and the coaching facilitated good despite the flaws. When used reverently, technology can enable our work rather than squash it.

2 Fear that we will experience burnout

Burnout looms when we overindulge in technology. Our devices promise a flood of information and stimulation. We can drown in the deluge. Endless scrolling leads nowhere and we lose our sense of purpose, finding ourselves opening up an app out of habit rather than for a reason, and wondering where the time has gone.

Like a surfer riding a mammoth wave, we must remain balanced atop the crest. If we tire and slip under, the technology overtakes us. In 1921 Nobel Peace Prize winner Christian Louis Lange said that "technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master", so it's wise for us to set boundaries for ourselves and our coaichng practice. Some activities really can't be replicated with technology; practicing mindful moderation is good for our coachees.

We already know about this in our coaching. We discover a new model and it's wonderful for a season and then seems to be not much more than us going through the motions. By sprinkling in technology appropriately while keeping humanity at the heart, we can aim to strike the right balance.

3 Fear that it will negatively impact the vulnerable

An inherent risk with any change introduced to society is that the ones bearing the worst effects will be the most vulnerable. Every technology contains bias, for example, with AI systems inheriting prejudice from their creators and amplifying cultural nuances.

As coaches, our responsibility is for people from all backgrounds, and that demands awareness. If we discover an exciting opportunity to introduce a VR tool, what assumptions are we holding, and which have the programmers held, consciously or unconsciously? Who might feel excluded through our work?

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about the rise of AI-powered conversational tools, and how they offer the only true route for the democratisation of coaching. If events continue to unfold along that trajectory, we must start to consider how they will affect the most vulnerable. Will providers start introducing tiered pricing that exacerbates the current problem, providing false assurance that everybody is receiving coaching when in actual fact the number of people with access to it actually shrinks? Or will the quality of freely-available AI coaching apps offer an energising future funded by those who can afford it?

In times of change it can be tempting for us to retreat into a state of self-preservation, and that's understandable, but we must not turn a blind eye. The sword that enables progress can also divide and destroy if wielded carelessly.

4 Fear that it will increase our burdens

Implementing new technology brings new challenges. I wrote a while ago about the practicalites of taking on the role of technical support as a coach. When problems arise in or around a session, we can't pass the buck onto someone else.

This responsibility gives us reason to pause. Perpetually overwhelm is a state to avoid; as tempting as every new innovation may be, we must discern which are worth the effort. Will this tool demonstrably improve coaching? Or is it a gimmick that will fade in a year, or less than that? Does it spark joy or just headaches?

To illustrate this, in this month's gathering of the Coachtech Collective we'll be getting hands-on with a technology tool that can manipulate brainwaves live in the session, inducing a state of calm or focus, and even generating hallucinations that can be used for reflection. Perhaps for some coaches it will become an important part of their coaching toolkit...or perhaps it will be a shiny gimmick and nothing more.

Adopting technology reverently means choosing carefully. We need time to learn fully how it works, and have backup plans ready in case of failure. Starting small rather than diving into full overhauls of our coaching practice feels more sensible. And, overall, we must remain focused on serving people rather than habouring grand visions of a tech-driven practice. Progress supported by purpose is sustainable.

5 Fear that it will end society

Various people have proclaimed over the last several months that technology will radically reshape civilisation in our lifetimes, and even lead to the extinction of the human race. AI could surpass human intelligence. Biotech may prolong life indefinitely in some form. Quantum computing could deem every encryption no more powerful than wrapping paper. It's no wonder we feel both awe and anxiety when we read stories about the power of AI.

Rather than making dramatic predictions, we're called to stay present. Technology will continue advancing at increasing speeds, but the future unfolds at the same rate as it always has done. Ten years ago the predictions about the future didn't look like the one we're living in. In the same way, we can't imagine what the next decade will bring. Better to simply work from where we are now, with what we hold now.

No doubt a sense of wonder is warranted. Technology has repeatedly reinvented society. The steam engine. Electricity. Mass production. Nuclear power. Computing. The internet. Society transformed profoundly with each innovation.

We stand at the cusp of another new age. Its shape remains obscure but its arrival is certain. We must revere technology's potential, accept uncertainty, and work within in. Our role is to stay grounded amidst the winds of change. Hold our clients skillfully as the terrain shifts. And remain confident that human goodness persists throughout.

A call for reverence

Technology is a monumental force. As coaches we can either be swept away by its currents or learn to navigate skillfully. The key is fear - reverence. We must have deep respect for technology's power, both beneficial and perilous. If we stay conscious and balanced, technology can amplify our work to have a greater impact on a greater number. But we must remain vigilant, for even great forces can cause great harm when used recklessly. May we wield technology with wisdom, always.