Category: Recent Ideas from Twitter

Technology is Coming!

Some futurists got together and put a very visually satisfying “periodic table of mind-blowing tech” together. It is quite a fun rabbit hole of a site with endless opportunities to explore the tech that is coming!

This article challenges quite a lot of dominant discourse that “the robots are coming for your job” with more of a harsh economic analysis. These authors describe that the bigger driving force is increasing management indifference to the need to retain good jobs and maximize profits at any cost.

On that note, another recent article describes the uptick in a new type of management position – “the chief ethics officer” appearing with more frequency in corporate life.

Climate Change

Last week, I put a whole blog post together about climate change related mental health issues and environmental justice.

This week, NPR released a story talking about increasing recognition of the negative aspects of climate change – brought on by increasing flooding in many regions of the United States.

This article describes climate change as our “World War 3” and challenges bolder solutions. It’s a powerful piece. Another article I ran across discusses that “climate refugees” will be among the most powerful results of impending climate change – and suggests that not enough preparation is occurring to manage this eventuality.

Beautiful story about “planting trees as resistance and empowerment.” This article is empowering, energizing and hopeful. How much difference can individual people working together make to tackle climate change? This article will inspire you!!

Social Change Touchpoints

I’ve spoken previously in this blog about the power and importance of caring for each other and ourselves to survive the challenges associated with working for a better future. I even did a whole blog post about this. Along these lines, I ran across this recent article that underscores, expresses deep value and even celebrates the many roles and positions that “social change” actors may embrace. From “the artist,” to “disruptors” to “caregivers” and more, I found this piece energizing and affirming. It takes MANY people working intersectionally to bring the change we want and need.

The Human Population

Many discussions of the future directly or indirectly implicate the number of people on the planet as a major factor in global evolution. This eye-popping series of infograpics really brings a sense of dynamism and power to global population realities now. How will this distribution of humans change, influence and drive future innovation, focus, political changes and a host of other global issues? Take a look and imagine!

Artificial Intelligence and Bias

Here’s a new article (and report) about “bias” in artificial intelligence is really about human bias “baked into” algorithms and processes. This report further underscores the need for creators and coders of the future need to be grounded in some of the same lenses, skills and ethics that social work is built on. Equity principles and skills matter – in artificial intelligence spaces and everywhere else.

Bio-Tech Ethics

I ran across two different articles recently about the bioethics issues associated with our increasing capability to “gene edit” humans. Each raises a host of bioethics issues that arise as we clearly stand upon the precipice of a new scientific era that our ethics have not caught up to.

These stories make me wonder how long it will be before adoption and/or medical social workers will find themselves in situations that include some of these dynamics – and if we will be ready when that happens? Where will we stand? How will we advise? How will we draw the line between ethical and unethical practice in the midst of such rapid evolution in this technology?

Want to Go to the International Space Station on Vacation?

You might be able to do that soon. Fun and interesting story about that went by this week!

The Future of Higher Education

Loved this new article called “the rise of the anti-college.” It points to a number of needs that continue to go unmet in the mainstream higher education world. I think this piece includes some important signals about what the future to our sector.

Several financial innovations were discussed in this recent Freakonomics podcast episode all focused on how to reduce the cost of higher education.

Radical “live learn” spaces in higher education? Check it out.

This is a new(ish) article about Southern New Hampshire University’s notable efforts to reinvent the higher education experience for the future. What can we all learn from these efforts, and be brave as well as smart in trying to stretch into some new forms to accommodate student needs and communities of the future?

Technology Justice

New technology for social justice field scan published in 2018 called “More than code” by a coalition of organizations concerned with intersections of tech, equity and ethics. Excellent resource – good reading and important set of ideas and resources for us in social work.

Here’s a concise overview of the San Fransisco banning of facial recognition tech story (2019) in case you haven’t been tracking this news. This article believes it was the right thing to do and offers cogent defense of a world that suggests we are WAY better without this tech in place.

Artificial intelligence, work and the future of inequality is a piece that dives deeply into the intersection of these three issues. Imagining a world in which the meaning, availability and compensation for work is changing so dramatically should be something we are tracking in social work – potentially impacting many areas of our practice.

Ran across the work of Lorraine Chuen while scanning for data justice information. Her presentation indicates she’s a tech designer, researcher and writer in this space. She has some excellent information on the interplay of design thinking and tech justice. My favorite part of her presentation are some “design justice principles” which I have sensed are truly a missing piece in the design thinking frameworks I’ve seen increasingly being utilized in social work spaces. These include:

1. We use design to sustain, heal, and empower our communities, as well as to seek liberation from exploitative and oppressive systems.
2. We center the voices of those who are directly impacted by the outcomes of the design process.
3. We prioritize design’s impact on the community over the intentions of the designer.
4. We view change as emergent from an accountable, accessible, and collaborative process, rather than as a point at the end of a process.
5. We see the role of the designer as a facilitator rather than an expert.
6. We believe that everyone is an expert based on their own lived experience, and that we all have unique and brilliant contributions to bring to a design process.
7. We share design knowledge and tools with our communities.
8. We work towards sustainable, community-led and controlled outcomes.
9. We work towards non-exploitative solutions that reconnect us to the earth and each other.
10. Before seeking new design solutions, we look for what is already working at the community level. We honor and uplift traditional indigenous, and local knowledge and practices.

I ran across two different stories about international efforts to come together to establish guidelines for the future of AI. In one, a group of countries including the U.S. just came together to determine priorities and guidelines for the future deployment of artificial intelligence. This group did not include China. The announcement of these “democratic principles for AI” were announced at a recent meeting in Paris. Another such effort did include China and was organized by the World Economic Forum. Most interesting to compare the interpretation of both the challenges and the solutions of how to prepare for the challenges, dangers and opportunities AI will introduce into the world. This development reminds me of, but neither is nowhere near as wide reaching, as Amy Webb’s push for a global dialogue, structures and agreements in her book The Big Nine, which I reviewed earlier in this blog (and which I HIGHLY recommend).

Do we need a “tech diet?”

This is a fun and creative piece that is not wholly against tech – but does challenge the reader to be discriminating about what is happening when we engage – and continue to develop evolving and deepening “digital literacies for our own well being. I loved the format – most engaging. This is relevant not only to us – but challenges us to think about the role we might play in digital literacy/empowerment/agency with vulnerable people that we work with.

The future of health care

This piece is an excellent and thought provoking piece about trends related to the future of health care. As social workers – these are exciting frames to imagine what is possible in terms of delivering new tech and medical breakthroughs to reduce human suffering, and extend both the length and quality of human life. That said, I found myself wondering throughout the article (as often happens) how these advances will be distributed, who will have access to them and who will not, how privilege will play out? It doesn’t diminish the richness of the evolution of this science, but it does challenge us to keep an equal eye on ground level public health and improving conditions for those least likely to access high end breakthroughs.

The next big technology revolution (well one of them…)

I’m considering starting a regular feature on these blog entries called “OK this will just blow your mind.” This is a resource that is in that category. A former MIT president, Dr. Susan Hockfield (a neurobiologist) has a new book just out called “The Age of Living Machines.” She suggests that the next big revolution will be (and is) the convergence of machines and biological elements. Essentially technology built out biological parts. See what I mean – mind blowing! Many interesting applications that can improve the quality of human life – and probably put us at risk too. Hello ethics progress – I hope you’re coming along on this journey. Here’s an overview of her work and insight into her book. Interesting tidbit woven into this piece – the world’s energy needs are expected to double by the year 2050.

Futures Thinking Frameworks

Here’s an article that invites the reader to consider a framework called “critical uncertainties” to anticipate impacts of artificial intelligence in the future. The author describes this as a framework that “…allows us to consider a few plausible futures and become more resilient to the challenges they hold. It reduces the risk of blind spots and unwelcome surprises. It can also help us identify ways in which we can proactively shaping the future.” (Woeffray, 2019). I’m always interested in exploring new ways to think about things – and find that this ongoing scanning and consideration of ideas like this can be one of the most valuable parts of getting social work as a profession to simply “try out” some methods and frames that might stretch our sensibilities.

The NHS and Artificial Intelligence

How will artificial intelligence transform the work of the UK’s National Health Service? Lots of implications for the future of all professional helpers – physical and behavioral health. This piece has some ideas.

Tech and Social Good

There is a lot of discourse about how tech contributes to a variety of social challenges – but what are examples of ways it could contribute to making things better in our world? Here’s a short article with contributors from around the world who are doing exactly that. It challenges us as social workers to imagine, track, and evaluate how these ideas might and might not work for us.

US vs. China in the Tech Race

Reading this article made me reflect more on the book “The Big Nine” by Amy Webb which I reviewed in this blog a couple of weeks ago. What is the US plan for how technology will strengthen our national capacity to succeed in new ways, strengthen democracy and promote economic well-being among our communities? This article suggests we don’t have much of one…particularly when contrasting with China’s multi-decade (even multi-generational) tech plan. It’s a good brief discussion of how, why and when (NOW) we need to advance our collective thinking about how to better prepare ourselves and our country for technology’s next chapter.

A 3D Printed Neighborhood?

Want to stretch your thinking about how to solve the affordable housing crisis in the US and beyond? What if we printed enough for all? Here’s a short piece that imagines that possibility.

How to Revive Your Belief in Democracy?

I have to admit…I wasn’t sure about this TED talk but it got to me. Eric Liu is a “civic evangelist” and is definitely on a mission to strengthen communities through connection and civic renewal. If we believe that a healthy democracy is at the heart of a future we want, this is an inspiring short talk.

How to Think Better About the Future

Here’s a great short piece that covers the fundamentals of futures thinking, foresight and the importance of learning to get comfortable with discomfort to prepare for whatever comes next.

What is the Anthropocene and Why Does It Matter?

In short, it refers to a new era where humanity has impacted the earth’s storyline in an irreversible way. While it doesn’t suggest we are defeated…those who seek to name this “new” period in the earth’s life cycle, alert us to the very real risks and dangers this new phase involves.

The EU’s New Guidelines on Ethical AI

New guidelines (and internationally noteworthy) guidelines are out. Debates and evolution will likely continue – but these are interesting and instructive.

Artificial Intelligence and Job Loss

I’ve posted a number of articles and reports on artificial intelligence (the most indepth which is here). Recently, I’ve been searching for more specific information about projections and possible remedies to potential job loss and economic impacts of widespread job elimination. Interestingly, I found only a few things – but will keep a lookout for additional information.

The case for the humanities as an educational protection against job loss (2018)

Artificial development and human development (2018). This is a report from Canada delving deep into the individual, social and economic impacts of artificial intelligence expansion (including a thoughtful section about the need to prepare for mass retraining of workforces).

World Economic Forum on the future of jobs (2018)

The question isn’t whether AI will take our jobs…. (2018)

Pew Research – the future of jobs and job training (2017)

World Economic Forum – 4 scenarios for what work will look like in 2030 (2018)

Technology, jobs and the future of work (2017)

Slate has been doing a creative series on the future of work (and of bureacracy) which has some interesting and provocative ideas related to future possibilities in this area. Four articles can be found here. (2019)

Is the amount of surveillance at work increasing? This article says yes. (2019)

While not exactly related to AI, this article does touch upon the really important topic of worker engagement in the workplace and the mission of whatever work is being done. I think it is an interesting sign of the times – particularly as it suggests that workplaces are evolving towards being more “meaning” centered. (2019)

Artificial Intelligence and Health Care

Closer to our own world of social work, here’s an article about how artificial intelligence is increasingly entering health systems/services – watch this space and imagine how social work might be impacted in the future. (2018) . Here’s another quick piece on artificial intelligence in health care called “The Robot Will See You Now.” (2017) Pieces like this make it clear that social work would be wise to think about ways to partner with these tools – and be clear about what essential roles we play that are not replaceable. While the piece doesn’t specifically address possible job loss, it is a thought provoking couple of articles.

Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Disaster Relief

Another fascinating area of rapid development in artificial intelligence is that of disaster relief. This piece gives a good overview of the possibilities and emerging practices.

Equity in Tech

New bill in congress called the Algorhithmic Accountability Act (2019) – this is an article about the background and rationale for this important and future facing bill.

Tech ethics in higher education (2019)

Tech/Social Media and Social Change

All social workers can likely boost their reach by understanding more about how to use tech and social media to achieve their goals. This article is a helpful overview of some important strategies and opportunities.

Data and tech as the future of cities – a good foundation article, though as social workers, we will undoubtedly ask more questions about equity and other justice related quality of life city planning issues. (2019)

Though a 2017 article, this piece explores the way that hashtags (such as with #Blacklivematter) have ushered in a new era of social change, and this study informs ways to frame our understanding of what these new tools and platforms may have to offer change agents, as well as limitations.

Imagining Possible Futures

Creative article about how the future is not bounded by traditional categories, or sectors – thinking and working on it is best done in cross-disciplinary ways. (2018)

Nine sci-fi subgenres to help you understand the future (2018). This whole field is known as “speculative fiction” and is becoming an increasingly important in futures study. This article is interesting and fun.

Touch, Tech and Loneliness

With so much tech in our lives now and in the future, and with loneliness and human isolation now considered to be a major social problem expected to grow, what is the future of human connection. This article about human need for touch has interesting implications. What are the implications for ethical social work in this space? (2019)

Menstruation Surveillance

There are increasing numbers of women’s health apps, but this article asks if there might be a downside. (2019)

Hey What’s a Hackathon?

Hackathon’s are places where creative and tech-friendly folks come together to solve problems through partnerships between tech and other resources. It has been suggested that hackathon’s are important places for social workers to explore and participate in to contribute our knowledge and skills to the mix . Here’s a great brief video introduction to the culture and practice of hackathons! (2013) Here’s a few more resources to get you started if you want to learn more:

• What is a hackathon? A newbie’s guide to collaborative coding. (2016)
• What’s a hackathon? Here’s all you need to know. (2018)
• What’s a hackathon and why should you care. (2017)

Mental Health Apps

This amazing Ph.D. student, Henry Willis, is developing a mental health app for Black youth. The app is specifically designed to move through stigma, educate youth about mental health, and link youth to resources. Inspiring! The world needs more of this – culturally relevant and tech-savvy!

Apps are an important set of future facing tools to connect with people in need as never before possible. That said, we have a long way to go to build a sound scientific base for widespread adoption/dissemination. This article discusses some of the limitations and encourages care in not overstating what a large percentage of apps are actually able to do.

Artificial Intelligence

Wonderful article about how to use a new ethical framework to build AI – insist on the engagement and direction of communities to be served to build tech solutions to real world problems.

Exciting work being done by a social work professor (Dr. Desmond Patton at Columbia University) to explain, encourage and promote why social workers as well as others from outside the typical “tech” crowd. Dr. Patton is doing important scholarship in the intersections of race, community, youth well being and equity.

Is it possible that eventually artificial intelligence will outsmart humans? Here’s a recent piece to explore this topic.

Exploring ethics in tech and artificial intelligence – this article describes the urgent challenge.

Robotics to Aid Humans

What if robots could help people with profound mobility challenges/limitations engage in the world, care for themselves and experience fuller lives as a result? Here’s a piece that explores and considers this possibility.

Equity and Oppression in Virtual Spaces

New article about the experiences of women of color in online gaming environments – exploring intersecting oppressions. This piece suggests that racism is easily displaced in online gaming spaces and that intentional and creative approaches are needed to address this emerging set of challenges.

Here’s an article covering a brief history of hate online in the wake of the New Zealand massacre.

Technology to Solve Global Challenges

MIT Press article exploring ways that new and emerging technology might help to address enduring challenges of the present and future. Thought provoking article!

Tech Industry and Activism

What if tech professionals were activists? It turns out – some of them are. This article describes who they are and what they are up to.

Universities and Education of the Future

What will the universities of the future look like? This article is from 2017, but is an interesting imagining of the built environment/architecture of universities of the future given a series of likely transitions in play.

What would high school look like if it were reimagined to prepare students for the most likely scenarios related to the future of work? This article considers this topic – with a few examples of innovative high schools experimenting with new approaches.

Creativity and the Future

In an article from a few years ago, Author Neil Gaiman suggests that our abilities to use our imaginations is among our most important skills for the future…and that our survival may depend on it.

A well-known futurist describes the ways in which futures-oriented foresight methods can move through and/or reveal creative limitations towards more innovative solutions.

This article considers the (essential) roles of creativity and intuition as skills of the future – necessary for success in a variety of sectors.

Learning About the Influence of “Big Tech”

A new book by futurist Amy Webb focuses on the influences and impact of the nine primary high tech corporations working in the world today. Her book “The Big Nine” is reviewed in this piece from Inside Higher Education. This is a book worthy of serious consideration by those of us in university environments.