Introducing TechHuman.org

Technology – Humanity – Faith

We are in the relatively early stages of a global ‘Digital Revolution’. Technology is driving unprecedented changes across most aspects of life and work. The pace and scale of that change is accelerating relentlessly. The combination of always-connected devices, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are combining to change human life irreversibly.

Facial recognition technology is being deployed surreptitiously and widely, using a myriad of different justifications without clear guidelines on efficacy or acceptable use. The Big Tech companies – especially those that provide ‘free’ services like search or social media in exchange for our personal information, have created an industry of increasingly intrusive personal surveillance in the pursuit of ‘prediction products’ to drive staggering levels of advertising revenues. Democratic processes are being undermined by extremists and foreign powers with apparent impunity (ab-)using those same platforms. Increasingly powerful robotic automation is beginning to take on more skilled activities like actuarial work, medical diagnosis and insurance underwriting; demonstrating that few occupations are entirely safe.

Communities and families are absorbing technology, ever more closely into their daily lives. It is common for people to be exposed to various forms of media for over 8 hours out of every 24. Abusive communication seems to have become commonplace on these social channels, when they would not be tolerated in human-to-human dialogue. The most ‘connected’ generation ever is growing up as one of the loneliest in history. They are distracted; tending to assess their innate value in terms of ‘followers’ and ‘likes. Then we have the impact of almost unrestricted access to pornography providing a significant input on sex and relationships to young people.

“The result: addiction, social isolation, outrage, misinformation, and political polarization—all part of one interconnected system called human downgrading that poses an existential threat to humanity.”

Tristan Harris - Center for Humane Technology

Who are we and what are we trying to do?

We have a passion to see technology reach its full potential for the benefit of society as a whole – while highlighting and fighting actual and potential harms.

These are massively complex challenges which impact us all. Orthodox Christian belief brings a powerful perspective to these deliberations. We believe we need to find and equip a new generation of reformers to tackle today’s challenges, just as William Wilberforce and others did in the 18th and 19th Centuries. We want to develop clear Christian points of view to help drive systemic change across society. We expect that much of the material we develop will be relevant to peoples of all faiths and of none - but our starting point, and our primary context is to speak from the perspective of orthodox Christian faith.

We are working with an informal multidisciplinary group including technologists, philosophers, medical specialists, sociologists, legal professionals, theologians, ………. who share faith and an interest in seeing technology used for the good of humanity, developing a clear Christian voice that can speak and help act on these issues before it is too late.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and
to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NIV UK)

Jonathan Ebsworth