How to harness tech for good | Lara Sophie Bothur | TEDxKLU Hamburg

Key Concepts:

• Car sharing
• Tech communication
• AI (Artificial Intelligence)
• Digital literacy
• Innovation adoption
• Empathy in technology
• Human connection
• Trust in technology
• Contextualization
• Experiential learning

1. The Problem: Lack of Understanding and Engagement with Technology

• The speaker begins with a personal anecdote about explaining car sharing to her 101-year-old grandfather, highlighting the gap between technological advancements and public understanding.
• Many people nod along in tech conversations without understanding, driven by fear of appearing stupid or lacking the energy for complex explanations.
• This lack of understanding hinders learning and can lead to a disconnect with rapidly evolving technologies.
• Historical examples are provided:
  • 1440: Monks feared the printing press would make people lazy.
  • 1840: Doctors warned that fast train travel (20 mph) could harm the human body.
  • 1990s: The internet was dismissed as a passing trend.
• The core issue is not the technology itself (e.g., AI replacing humans) but the failure to engage in meaningful conversations about it.
• "80% of people don't understand tech not because tech is not working but because we are not communicating it."

2. Four Solutions to Improve Tech Communication

• Language:
  • Use common ground and avoid complex jargon.
  • Example: Instead of "car sharing is a shared mobility service on a digital platform," explain it as "borrowing a car when you need one, but you don't own it."
  • Tech is powerful when understood, not when complex.
• Context:
  • Link new technologies to familiar concepts.
  • Example: Relate Netflix to DVD rental shops.
  • Provide relevant statistics and their implications.
    • 60% of the world population will live in cities by 2030.
    • Transportation accounts for 30% of global CO2 emissions.
• Examples:
  • People learn faster visually (60 times) and through storytelling (20 times more).
  • Use analogies, real-world scenarios, and relatable examples.
• Experience:
  • Hands-on experience builds trust.
  • Example: The speaker showed her grandfather how to unlock a car using car sharing app.
  • "80% of people trust technology when they can experience it."

3. The Role of Human Connection in Technology

• Skepticism towards AI stems from a lack of understanding. People are less skeptical of bicycles because they understand them.
• Trust is built through understanding and contextualization.
• AI can predict words and create stories, but humans provide meaning through emotions and experiences.
• Humans offer:
  • Empathy: Reading unspoken cues and emotions.
  • Human Connection: Building relationships based on trust, respect, and love.
• Tech communication must be human-centered.

4. Scaling Tech Communication for a Better Future

• The speaker's LinkedIn post about explaining tech to her grandfather reached 350,000 people and led to her current role.
• Statistics highlighting the need for better tech communication:
  • 80% of leaders struggle to explain AI's value.
  • 70% of employees feel lost when new technology is implemented.
  • Companies focusing on tech communication can improve implementation by up to 400%.
• The speaker envisions a future where:
  • Leaders describe tech in engaging ways (like science fiction movies).
  • Schools teach tech storytelling and use AR/AI for personalized learning.
  • Newspapers present tech breakthroughs as adventures.
• As a corporate influencer at Deloitte, she reaches 400 million people with her message of "tech for good."

5. Call to Action

• The speaker urges the audience to:
  • Ask More: Dare to ask questions and seek understanding.
  • Explain More: Help others understand technology.
  • Bring Along More People: Create inclusive opportunities in tech.
  • Act for Good: Use technology sustainably and ethically.

6. Conclusion

• The speaker concludes with a hypothetical scenario where she is 101 years old and asks her grandchildren about a new AI time travel technology. She hopes they will explain it to her rather than dismiss her lack of understanding. The core message is that continuous learning and clear communication are essential for navigating the future of technology.