On 1 December, Jenny Ebermann, CEO of Wikimedia CH, was guest speaker at the Cybersecurity Management Challenges Symposium of Franklin University, Lugano. Here’s a summary of what she had to say:

As tech enthusiasts, we often find ourselves entranced by the promises of a digital utopia, where machines seamlessly facilitate communication and streamline work processes. However, it is essential to recognise that the true power of technology lies in its synergy with human ingenuity, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence. We must resist the temptation to believe that simply because we have access to advanced tools, human interaction will automatically become more meaningful, and work processes will inherently become more efficient.

 

The extended version:
As we find ourselves at the forefront of innovation, it is crucial that we take a moment to reflect on a fundamental aspect often overlooked — the human factor. We are surrounded by incredible technologies and artificial intelligence, tools that promise to revolutionize the way we live and work. However, let us not forget that it is not the mere existence of these tools that ensures success; it is how we, as humans, choose to utilize and integrate them into our lives. 

Do you remember, that not such a long time ago, things looked actually pretty different when speaking about technology? 

In the last decade alone, we have witnessed remarkable technological advancements that have transformed the way we live, work, and interact. It has been marked by rapid innovation across various domains, laying the groundwork for a future where technology is likely to play an even more central role in our daily lives… 

Let me give you a dizzying overview of key technological changes from approximately 2013 to 2023 (excerpt only): 

  1. Mobile Revolution (2010s): 
    • The proliferation of smartphones continued, with increasing capabilities and improved processing power. 
    • The rise of mobile apps changed how we access information, connect with others, and conduct daily tasks. 
  2. Rise of Social Media (2010s): 
    • Social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok gained prominence, altering how we share and consume content. 
  3. Cloud Computing and Big Data (2010s): 
    • Cloud services became integral for businesses and individuals, offering scalable storage and computational resources. 
    • Big Data analytics gained traction, enabling organizations to extract valuable insights from massive datasets. 
  4. AI and Machine Learning (2010s – 2020s): 
    • AI applications became more widespread, from virtual assistants (like Siri and Alexa) to machine learning algorithms powering recommendation systems and personalized content. 
  5. Remote Work Technologies (2020s): 
    • The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work tools, including video conferencing platforms (Zoom, Teams), collaborative software, and virtual project management tools. 
  6. Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) (2010s – 2020s): 
    • AR and VR technologies evolved, finding applications in gaming, education, healthcare, and virtual collaboration. 
  7. And last but not least : Cybersecurity Challenges (2010s – 2020s): 
    • With increased digitisation, cybersecurity became a critical concern, with rising instances of cyber attacks, data breaches, and a growing emphasis on digital security measures. 

Did you know that the precursor of Wikipedia was even founded before that time, in March 2000? Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger had a funny idea and created Nupedia which was an online encyclopedia published by the web company Bomis. Nupedia was designed by a committee of experts who predefined the rules. Unlike Wikipedia, Nupedia was not a wiki; it was instead characterised by an extensive peer-review process, designed to make its articles of a quality comparable to that of professional encyclopedias. In January 2001, Jimmy Wales started Wikipedia as a side-project to allow collaboration on articles before entering the peer review process; Wales preferred Wikipedia’s easier posting of articles, while Sanger preferred the peer-reviewed approach used by Nupedia. 

Who would have thought what would become of this project? 

Yes, technology touches almost every aspect of our lives. But as machine-generated content becomes more commonplace, the work humans do to ensure free and neutral information is accessible to everyone becomes more important than ever. As I recently read on a blog by the Wikimedia Foundation: “Technology runs on knowledge, and knowledge is human. » 

The added value of Wikimedia projects in the context of humans versus technology stems from their emphasis on collaborative knowledge creation. While technology provides the platforms, human contributors bring critical thinking, cultural diversity, collective intelligence and adaptability to the content. The community engagement ensures quality control and the evolution of information, making Wikimedia projects a dynamic and inclusive source of knowledge that harnesses both human expertise and technological infrastructure. 

  1. Human-Centric Knowledge: Wikimedia projects rely on the human capacity for critical thinking, creativity, and cultural understanding. Contributors, driven by a passion for sharing knowledge, bring a human touch to the information, offering diverse perspectives and insights. 
  2. Community Engagement: The projects foster a sense of community among contributors who collaborate to create, edit, and verify content. Human collaboration ensures the accuracy, relevance, and currency of information, as contributors collectively curate the content. 
  3. Cultural Diversity: Wikimedia projects embrace cultural diversity, enabling contributors from various backgrounds to share their unique knowledge and experiences. This human-centric approach helps create a more inclusive and comprehensive representation of information. 
  4. Quality Control: While technology assists in automated checks, the human community plays a crucial role in quality control. Contributors review and refine content, adding a layer of human judgment that contributes to the reliability and accuracy of the information. 

In our pursuit of technological excellence, it is all too easy to become enamored by the allure of efficiency, automation, and seemingly limitless possibilities. We implement sophisticated tools, develop cutting-edge AI, and streamline processes, all with the intention of making our lives easier and work more efficient. But let us be clear – the implementation of technology alone does not guarantee improved communication or enhanced productivity. The magic lies not in the tools themselves but in how humans choose to use them! 

As tech enthusiasts, we often find ourselves entranced by the promises of a digital utopia, where machines seamlessly facilitate communication and streamline work processes. However, it is essential to recognise that the true power of technology lies in its synergy with human ingenuity, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence. We must resist the temptation to believe that simply because we have access to advanced tools, human interaction will automatically become more meaningful, and work processes will inherently become more efficient. 

We must acknowledge that technology is a powerful enabler, but it is not a substitute for the richness of human connection. As we integrate AI and advanced tools into our daily lives, let us not forget what it means to be thoughtful, emotionally intelligent beings. The essence of effective communication and collaboration transcends the digital realm. It requires empathy, understanding, and the ability to connect on a human level. 

As beings with cognitive abilities, humans have a natural inclination to seek, create, and share knowledge. This innate curiosity and desire for understanding have driven the development of various means to record, communicate, and disseminate information throughout human history. Passing knowledge from generation to generation is also an essential part of what makes us human.  

Before looking into the gaming aspect of things, let me conclude that Wikipedia was built on the belief that it is only by keeping people at the center of knowledge that we can continue moving forward, together. That’s why it’s run by hundreds of thousands of volunteers from all around the world who come together to write, edit, debate, and fact-check its content. In a time when misinformation and disinformation are on the rise, their efforts are essential, for you, me and for democracy and free knowledge as such. 

Summary: In the pursuit of technological excellence, the text underscores that the true power of technology lies in its synergy with human ingenuity, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence. While advanced tools and AI may promise efficiency, the magic resides in how humans choose to use them. The text advocates for a recognition that technology, though a powerful enabler, cannot substitute for the depth of human connection. It emphasizes that effective communication and collaboration transcend the digital realm, requiring empathy, understanding, and a connection on a human level. The mention of Wikipedia reinforces the idea that keeping people at the center of knowledge is crucial for progress, highlighting the collaborative efforts of volunteers worldwide who contribute to the platform. 

  • Synergy of Technology and Humanity: The text emphasizes that the true potential of technology is realized when it synergizes with human ingenuity, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence. 
  • Human-Centric Approach: While advanced tools and AI aim for efficiency, the magic lies in how humans choose to utilize them, challenging the notion that technology alone guarantees improved communication or enhanced productivity. 
  • Recognition of Technology’s Limits: The text advocates for recognizing that technology, though a powerful enabler, cannot substitute for the richness of human connection. It warns against the misconception that access to advanced tools automatically leads to more meaningful human interaction and efficient work processes.
  • Essence of Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication and collaboration, it contends, go beyond the digital realm and necessitate empathy, understanding, and a connection on a human level. 
  • Wikipedia as an Example: The mention of Wikipedia illustrates the belief that keeping people at the center of knowledge is crucial. It showcases the collaborative efforts of volunteers globally, emphasizing the importance of human involvement in creating, editing, and fact-checking content, especially in the face of rising misinformation and disinformation. 

 

Read more: Technology is important. Humanity is essentia

 

Photo by Possessed Photography on Unsplash