We don’t trust new technology, but a UW provost has a plan to fight fear

We live in an area recognized as a hub of technological innovation, and that should make us happy and proud.

Right?

At a forum on innovation held in Seattle Thursday, new numbers were released that showed there are more people who aren’t feeling happy or proud.

They’re feeling fear.

With the pace of innovation accelerating and new products like wrist computers, 3D printers, and drones, there is no doubt that on some level, humans can’t get enough new gadgets.

But are they coming too fast? Are people and societies able to keep up with this breakneck pace?

Bill Gates told CNN recently that, yes, they can and that we have hit the sweet spot when it comes to developing new technologies and incorporating them successfully into our lives.

“There are some who say we’re innovating too fast and others that we’re not innovating fast enough,” said Gates.
“But the truth is we are innovating at a wonderful speed and it’s a far more positive picture than [either extreme] would point out.”

But a new nationwide survey unveiled at the recent forum by politicians, business leaders, and academics, like University of Washington Vice Provost for Innovation Vikram Jandhyala, said that Gates does not speak for the majority.

“The way innovation is happening,” said Jandhyala, “it’s leaving people behind in the sense that people don’t have as much trust in innovation as was [previously] expected. Many companies have thought that new high is just cool and nice and people should automatically trust that it’s good for them. That’s not happening.”

In fact, the 2015 Edelman Trust Barometer survey found a little over half the people questioned said innovation was coming too fast to trust that it’s a real step forward without side effects. Only 24 percent felt innovation is making the world better. Sixty-six percent said it’s being driven by corporate greed.

Jandhyala said it’s clear that many people also feel it’s splitting society between the economic haves and have-nots and countries without the consumer base able to afford what new technology has to offer are angry that they are shut out from progress.

He added, “As the pace of innovation continues to get faster, this divide and mistrust is only going to get worse.”

Attendees at the forum were unanimous in their conclusion that to fight fear and mistrust, we must use a time-tested weapon: knowledge.

Jandhyala said scientists and companies need to, “Test new innovations with the public, not just to see if the technology works or impresses them, but get input on the implications of introducing the innovation. Ethical issues, effects on the environment, economic impacts.”

He believes the UW can play a big part in that by providing innovators with a place and a forum where the public can weigh in on what’s coming next and therefore have more trust that something new is going to be something good.