Technology Humanism

Living in the world today every individual stands at the crossroads of progress trying to understand the context and meaning of Humanity when the digital world pulsates louder than ever before, we as humans find ourselves at an intersection that is both electrifying and terrifying. It is a time when technology—the very force that once promised to make the world a global village by bring all of us closer together—has both liberated and isolated us. With every advancement, we are transported into the realm of what once were impossible dreams that are now a sea of limitless possibilities; yet with every step forward, we incur a huge cost, a cost that more often than not is invisible, that in intrinsically enmeshed with each of these limitless possibilities. This is the paradox of our age: connected and alienated in the same moment of time.

Ever wonder in the irony that seamlessly engulfs us that too in a space as vast as the internet, how the human touch instantly seems to vanish. We can send messages across the world in seconds, access information on almost any subject, and purchase a book or pair of shoes before we even know we need them. In a flash we can experience another life halfway across the globe, yet the deeper parts of our existence—the things that make us human—seem to be drowning away so rapidly in this technology landscape that one is left to but wonder how human are we truly. The joy of a personal connection is replaced by an algorithmic relationship, defined not by emotion but by efficiency, which further is defined by the rabbit hole of relevancy for the purpose of stickiness, that get’s enabled by the consistent dopamine hit of attention – all this for the purpose of creating space for someone to monetise each on of these elements continuously. As I write this it makes me ask myself the dreaded question – have I sold my humaneness, have we collectively sold our humanity?

While we ponder on the question, the magnitude of the shift dawns, this is not just a mere shift in how we interact with the world; it is a seismic reconfiguration of the very foundation of our identity as individuals, as communities, as societies, as nations, as humanity itself. When everything from our actions to our desires is captured in data, in a manner untold, unsupervised, unbound by objectivity or relevance, not reflective of our non-digital self, yet we are forced to confront the uncomfortable truth that our value is no longer defined by the depth of our experiences outside the digital sphere but by only the sum total of our digital footprints. This shift invites a deep and unsettling question: what does it mean to be human in an age where our every thought, action, and desire is commodified? Why are our non-digital thoughts, actions, desire irrelevant? How come it has now been accepted that we are our true selves only in the digital space even though a majority of our lives still are in the non-digital space?

This also brings me to reflect, what if this moment, this digital age, is not one to mourn but to re-imagine? What if we take these tools of connection and not only preserve but amplify our humanity? What if technology, instead of eroding the essence of who we are, becomes a means to better understand each other—not just as consumers, but as living, breathing souls, each with a unique story?

Are the crossroads we stand at actually not about choosing between technology and humanity. Maybe these crossroads are about forging a path that uses one to protect and enrich the other. Why are we being led by technology rather than using technology to amplify, maximise, celebrate the mass diversity of our shared humanity. And in this journey from the crossroads to a merged path, our choices must not merely be what we build but why we build it. This is the challenge of our age, and it is one that cannot be met without a profound reckoning with the question of sovereignty.?

So what exactly is sovereignty in the stories of Humanity – when we look at the heart of almost every conversation about technology and humanity we find embedded in it a question that is probably as old as civilization itself: What does it mean to be sovereign? We have learnt about sovereignty primarily in the context of nation state where to be sovereign is, at its core, to possess the agency to chart one’s own course, to steer one’s own destiny, within a set of boundaries, when the boundaries get violated it leads to wars. But when we speak about human sovereignty it is not a solitary affair; it is not a battle fought alone but interwoven with fellow humans every single moment, where each thread is unique yet dependent on all the others for strength, form, texture, style, comfort and meaning.?

Throughout history, sovereignty though as I previously mentioned largely built around the context of nation states has been viewed not only as the right to govern oneself but as the responsibility to live in harmony with others. However it is when we look at religion we realise the context of individual sovereignty is deeply embedded, as also the link to community, society as well as humanity at large.

In Christianity, the notion of individual dignity is deeply rooted in the belief that each person is created in the image of God. This reflects a deep respect for autonomy, but it also emphasizes the divine mandate to love and serve others. Each individual, while distinct, is a reflection of a greater whole—a vast, interconnected universe defined by divine purpose.?

Similarly, in Islam, the concept of fitrah—the intrinsic moral compass with which every human is born—reminds us that sovereignty comes with the weight of accountability. Every individual is entrusted with the responsibility to make ethical choices, to align their actions with a higher moral order. This sense of individual autonomy, however, is always tempered by the recognition that we are accountable to others, and ultimately to God.?

In Hinduism, dharma represents another cornerstone of individual sovereignty. This concept calls not only for personal integrity and authenticity but also for the recognition that our actions are always connected to the broader community. Sovereignty, in this sense, is not about unyielding self-interest; it is about fulfilling one’s duty to others and contributing to the collective well-being. To honor dharma is to remember that the self exists in relation to the world and that one’s actions have consequences far beyond the individual.?

Buddhism, with its concept of anatta—the doctrine of non-self—offers a counterpoint to the individualistic conception of sovereignty. According to this belief, the self is not an isolated entity but an illusion—a fleeting, ever-changing collection of thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This understanding invites us to rethink sovereignty as not the exclusive dominion of the individual, but as part of a vast and interconnected web. True freedom, from this perspective, is not the ability to act independently, but the realization that our actions are always intertwined with the lives of others.?

These philosophical and religious traditions, though distinct in their teachings, share a common understanding: sovereignty is not about isolation but interconnection. We are sovereign not because we stand apart, but because we are part of something larger than ourselves. Sovereignty exists in the space between us, in the relationships we build, and in the responsibilities we bear toward each other.

The larger aspect of humanity cannot be ignored as we navigate the complexities of the digital age, we must carry these lessons with us. In reality technology is not the enemy of sovereignty; it is a tool, however like all tools, it needs to be wielded in ways to strengthen the human spirit. Where exactly did we miss taking this route in our quest of technological achievements, given that this has roots in every aspect of our history and culture. How have we not been able to translate our understanding of the deep interconnections between sovereignty and community, for in doing so we can begin to re-imagine a future where technology enhances, enables, nourishes, amplifies, our collective humanity.?

When we dwell in the shadow of technology where the digital realm has been elevate to be seen as tangible as the physical world courtesy the creation of the transaction mechanisms now seamlessly embedded, however as a realm it is yet more abstract and elusive. It is a space of continuous contrary multitudes where it is simultaneously liberating and confining, expansive and restrictive, individual and collective. Technology, with its promise to connect, share, and amplify, has become both the mechanism of freedom and the cage that threatens to hold us hostage, whilst celebrating individualism and defining how individualism can be expressed.

For many of us who do not understand the invisible aspect that shapes technology, it’s important to remember that for all its potential, technology does not exist in a vacuum. It is shaped by the biases, assumptions, limitations, goals, objectives and desires of those who create it. When we look closely at the role of algorithms that continue to grow across areas that govern so much of our daily existence—from the recommendations we receive on social media to the predictive models that determine creditworthiness, as well as the large swathes of finance, governance, defence, academia where we do not have even basic understanding of how these algorithms are used —it becomes clear that these tools are not neutral, more importantly they are designed for specific purposes, defined by a select set of individuals to fulfill their ambitious goals. Importantly one needs to also understand that the source of the magical solutions offered across the digital realm regardless where it is put to use, it is powered by a foundation of historical data, such historical data that primarily is a vast reflection of the injustices and inequalities embedded in society that have perpetuated for centuries. ?Let’s take, for example, facial recognition technology, which, in its infancy, was heralded as a breakthrough in security. But as its use spread, a stark truth emerged: these technologies disproportionately misidentify people of color, particularly Black individuals. In some cases, the margin of error is so great that it threatens the safety and autonomy of entire communities. The same technology that promises to keep us safe has, in some instances, become a tool of surveillance and control. It is a glaring illustration of the shadows technology casts when it is not carefully considered or critically examined from a complete human context.

The next aspect is even more concerning, that is the use of the digital space as a battleground for power, where vast corporate entities and governments alike seek to control, by controlling the flow of information, type of information, context pertaining to the information, customizing it to suit their goals by also choosing the recipients of information basis it’s type, by repurposing the context, timing to generate the most impact from the chosen recipients. We have known about the algorithms that shape the advertisements we see, the content we consume, and even the political decisions we make, we know they are not as benign as they seem. They are driven by profit motives and political agendas. What we think of as “personal choice” is often heavily influenced by unseen forces. A click here, a scroll there, and suddenly our entire worldview is shaped by a curated feed designed to engage, to sell, to manipulate. What we do not know is all this is shaped by our digital footprints, may be therein lies the opportunity to shift the perspective by bringing into play the non-digital data to create a more balance and realistic digital landscape.

While the concerns we have are not trivial – as the impact of this cannot be overstated. We live in an age where misinformation, disinformation, corrupted information, contextualized information, custom designed information is amplified by social media algorithms, spreads like wildfire, often without the necessary context or truth. A single tweet, a viral video, can ignite a movement, sway an election, or incite violence. We have seen this unfold in real-time, as digital platforms have been weaponized to influence political outcomes, destabilize societies, and undermine trust in democratic institutions. This unfortunately is the dark shadow of what once was the promise of technology’s bright future.

To move out of the dark shadow and draw back the bright future of technology we need to seek some answers to some fundamental questions such as - what does this mean for sovereignty in the digital age? It means that to safeguard our autonomy as individuals, as communities, as societies, to do so we must first acknowledge the forces that seek to diminish it. Technology, while a powerful tool for change, is also a mechanism of control—one that demands human vigilance and scrutiny, a model that enables this through engagement and involvement beyond what is seen as the sole purview of the organisations providing the technology. Without active human oversight that’s designed at scale, without governing control or the organisations providing the technology, we risk losing our agency, our voice, and our identity to a system that profits from our data, our desires, and our fears. We risk losing our existence as Humans and Humanity at large. These are the high stakes at play that make it imperative to move out the long and far reaching shadow of technology.

While so far the doom and gloom perspective has dominated the content of this article the objective is not to disparage technology but more about setting a vision for the future. It is easy to become disillusioned with technology, to see it as the enemy of our humanity. But to do so is to miss the point: technology itself is not inherently good or evil. It is a reflection of the values we imbue within it. The challenge, then, is not to discard technology but to reshape it—reclaim it—as a force that serves the common good. This is where the vision of technology humanism emerges as a beacon of hope.

Technology humanism is not a rejection of progress; it is a call to ensure that technological advancement is guided by the principles that uphold our humanity. It is a framework that acknowledges the transformative power of technology while insisting that it must be used to amplify human potential, not diminish it. It is a recognition that technology, when aligned with human dignity, can foster creativity, connection, and even compassion thereby helping elevate the human perspective, trigger aspects that evolve humanity as a whole to a higher sense of purpose with goals that enshrine the nurturing of ?the human perspective as a stepping stone for the future generations.

Consider the rise of AI-driven healthcare systems. When designed and implemented with care, these technologies have the potential to revolutionize how we understand health, diagnose diseases, and provide personalized care. In countries with limited access to medical professionals, AI can bridge the gap, offering diagnostic services to under served communities and saving lives in the process. But the key to this success lies not just in the sophistication of the technology itself, but in its human-centered design. When AI is deployed with a deep understanding of the cultural, social, and emotional contexts of health, it can empower individuals to take control of their well-being, rather than replace human care with cold, algorithmic processes.

Similarly, consider the potential of blockchain technology in ensuring transparency in governance. Blockchain, which allows for decentralized and secure transactions, could be the tool that finally eliminates corruption in sectors like voting, land ownership, and financial services. By removing the intermediaries and gatekeepers, blockchain could restore trust in systems that have long been marred by inefficiency and exploitation. But again, the promise of blockchain is not simply in the technology itself; it lies in the intention behind its use. When built with equity and accountability in mind, blockchain can serve as a tool for liberation, not subjugation.

The future of technology humanism is one in which the boundaries between the digital and the human blur, but without losing sight of the things that make us truly human: empathy, compassion, curiosity, and creativity. It is a future in which technology becomes a vehicle for amplifying the stories that define us, not a means of erasing them. In this world, we use technology to deepen our understanding of one another, to strengthen our communities, and to build a society where sovereignty is not a solitary pursuit, but a collective one.

If technology humanism is the path forward, then education is the compass that will guide us. The digital world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and the question is no longer whether we should embrace technology, but how we can use it responsibly. To ensure that technology serves our sovereignty, we must equip individuals with the tools to navigate this new world. But digital literacy, in the traditional sense, is no longer enough. We need education to create human beings with strong sense of humaneness, capability to understand, empathise, engage, evolve with fellow humans. These will be those who will be able to leverage technology from a human perspective. To create such a generation of humans we need to foster a culture of critical engagement. It is not enough to simply know how to use a device or access the internet; we must understand how our data is used, who controls the algorithms that govern our digital interactions, and the broader societal implications of the tools we use, the finer nuances of how it impacts fellow humans, what does it trigger, the relevance of diversity and enabling the use technology not to overcome but enable, amplify diversity in a coherent, cohesive manner that enables, empowers individuals to build, belong, celebrate communities and societies. This is the foundation of digital literacy in the 21st century—a deeper, more nuanced understanding of how technology shapes our world.

Take the example of education in the context of AI. In many countries, schools are beginning to implement AI-driven tools to help students learn. These tools can personalize learning, adapt to individual needs, and offer real-time feedback. But for these systems to truly serve the students, they must be designed with an understanding of the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and needs of the learners. It is not enough for AI to simply process data; it must be attuned to the ways in which different communities learn, engage, and grow. It needs to take the context of teaching and teachers in different communities, their status, their role, their responsibilities and the entire context of schooling.

To achieve such goals education must teach us to be ethical consumers and creators of technology. This goes beyond simply learning how to code or design software; it means grappling with the moral dilemmas posed by emerging technologies. How do we ensure that artificial intelligence respects privacy? How can we guarantee that the algorithms driving decision-making processes are not biased? What does it mean to create technology that empowers rather than exploits? These are the questions that must be at the heart of education in the digital age. The future of sovereignty depends on our ability to answer them thoughtfully, collectively, and with an unwavering commitment to justice. It require human role models for technology to learn from – may be that’s what our teachers will evolve into thereby creating ?role models for students to imbibe human behaviour that helps them develop into humans with a deeper, stronger sense of humaneness as compared to the current generations.

Embarking on a collective journey to build a future that not merely celebrates humanity but evolves it to a better version. This future we seek to build, is not one that can be realized in isolation. Sovereignty, is not simply an individual pursuit; it is a shared responsibility. The sovereignty of one person is inextricably linked to the sovereignty of others. And it is through our connections, our communities, our societies and our collective action that we will be able to safeguard our freedom in the digital age. As technology continues to evolve, we must confront the realities of inequality and division that persist in the digital world. Access to technology remains a luxury in many parts of the world, leaving entire populations marginalized and excluded from the benefits of the digital revolution. In the fight for sovereignty, we must ensure that no one is left behind. We must ensure that technology is accessible to all, not just the privileged few. As technology is only as good as the data that powers it, it becomes imperative to look at data that encompasses the universe, not limited to the current users of technology alone. This will in turn enable greater understanding of diversity, sensitise technology in the context of it’s users while also training technology to evolve by layering deeper insights of a the populace with relevant context. Only when we set in motion a process that enables this and technology systems evolve to grow on this path can we say that journey to sovereignty has begun. It is about imagining a future in which every individual is empowered to shape their own destiny, regardless of their background or circumstances. This is a future where sovereignty is not a right reserved for the few, but a universal entitlement for all. And it is a future that we can create together.

The future we create together is a future worth fighting for because we must remember that while sovereignty is something we are born with it Is then taken away from us in the form of citizenship, schooling, employment and our digital identities… it is not something that is given to us by the world; so unless we claim it and protect it is something we must claim and protect. The digital age presents both an unprecedented opportunity and an unparalleled challenge as on hand it enables individualism, has the power to create communities, societies, on the other hand it also enables a control mechanism. The opportunity lies in the potential to create a world where technology amplifies our humanity, where our individual sovereignty is recognized and respected, and where we are free to shape our own futures. The challenge lies in ensuring that this vision becomes a reality for everyone, not just for the privileged few.

But the fight for sovereignty is not one we fight alone. It is a fight that involves all of us—students, technologists, educators, activists, entrepreneurs, and citizens. Together, we can create a world where technology serves us all, where it empowers us to be our fullest selves, and where our sovereignty is not just a dream, but a reality. This truly is the future worth fighting for. A future where technology is not a tool of control, but a means of liberation. A future where sovereignty, justice, and dignity are not ideals to strive for, but the very foundation of our shared existence. And it is a future that is within our reach—if only we have the courage to seize it, this journey for the future worthy of our coming generations is the journey of Technology Humanism.