Tomorrow’s Tech Won’t Save Us: Why the Future of People Needs Urgent Attention

In a world obsessed with technological advancement, we’ve seen billions poured into AI, robotics, space exploration, and quantum computing. But while the future of machines is advancing at a breakneck pace, the future of people - our ethics, education, and well-being - lags far behind. This imbalance is not just concerning, it’s dangerous.

The Futurists’ Focus: Technology Over Humanity

There are thousands of futurists globally, shaping how we imagine and prepare for tomorrow. A vast majority focus on technology, with influential organisations predominantly addressing advancements in technologies like artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics. While these innovations have immense potential, the ethical and societal implications they bring often take a back seat.

Far fewer resources are dedicated to "social foresight", studying how these changes will affect humans, communities, and culture.

Investment in Tomorrow’s Tech: A Flood of Funding

Investments in technology are staggering. AI alone is set to exceed $500 billion by 2024, with governments and tech giants racing to lead the charge. Emerging sectors like clean energy, space colonisation, and biotechnology receive similarly enormous funding. This money fuels innovation but leaves critical questions unanswered: How will these technologies reshape our work, relationships, and societies?

And more importantly, how do we ensure technology serves humanity rather than the other way around?

The Forgotten Future: People

Meanwhile, investments in #HumanCentred futures - like education reform, social innovation, inclusion, equity and ethical governance - receive a fraction of the funds.

While organisations like the United Nations push initiatives such as the #Sustainable #Development #Goals (SDGs), the level of investment remains paltry in comparison to tech. Our future depends not just on machines and systems but on thriving communities and individuals. If we fail to invest in our #SharedHumanity, the tools we create may end up serving only the few, leaving societies fractured and unequal.

Why We Must Rethink Our Priorities

As we stand on the precipice of a future defined by both incredible possibilities and profound risks, we must ask ourselves: Are we investing enough in what truly matters

While innovation in technology is essential, it won’t save us unless we balance it with equal attention to the future of people.

It's time to shift our focus and ensure humanity, in all its diversity, is at the centre of our vision for tomorrow.