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1. Heads up
2. A way forward
3. Recommended

Published October 04, 2024

A Harvard Business Review study recently concluded that we look at our phones on average 72 times per day. Other reports have that number much higher, topping 144 – that’s every 6.7 minutes during waking hours.

For Gen-Z, that number sits at 7.2 hours of video a day, with 1.5 hours spent daily on TikTok.

We’re putting chips in humans’ heads, creating augmented reality (AR) powered ski goggles that have a dial to close off reality, and TikTok memes and trends like “hawk tuah” girl and “very demure” are our new culture.

So where is humanity heading?We’re not creating, building or making anymore; we’re being dragged into a consumption black hole. Futurists are already talking about mind uploading, which evolves over time to the option to delete memories and distort reality. It’s all getting a bit much.

Media consumption has devolved into half-a-second channel flicking much like the 80s and 90s. There’s an ever increasing trend of people walking around with their head buried in their phone, missing important real-world interactions. We need to change to a head-up society — it’s imperative for our survival.

Although advancements like AR are somewhat pulling us out of doom scrolling, they’re not the answer. In fact, adding Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest 2, or some other screen to our faces is only arguably making the problem worse, leading to Hyper Reality, where adverts and content are streamed constantly into your world. Since I am a significant privacy advocate and member of the EFF, the idea of millions of live cameras on the public’s faces, paired with AI technology feels dangerous, expecially with the AI capabilities of today.

As a futurist and technology expert, I get to spend time with many incredible thought leaders. A significant moment that changed my vision of the future is the time a venture capital investor from a prominent tech fund told me that “people want their reality replaced.” I vehemently disagree.

Heads up #

We need to propel humanity forward at the same pace that humanity is propelling technology forward. That starts with lifting our heads up. While my belief in the potential of future technology is something that drives me, as a motorcyclist, adventurer, and horse rider, I continue to strive for that real connection to the world and others.

This is where wearable AI technology comes into play, these devices can take away the distractions, endless notifications and reliance on screens.

Innovators like Rabbit and Humane are leading the charge, but their infrastructure remains nascent. Image: Rabbit

Wearable AI technology offers a future where we’re no longer tethered to screens or overwhelmed by notifications. These devices are often designed to emulate nondescript accessories with simple or streamlined communication, filtering updates and disruptions based on our environment, allowing us to focus on meaningful interactions and high-value tasks. It’s about staying present, supported by an out-of-sight assistant who enhances the experience on our terms.

Developments like Apple's Vision Pro are only perpetuating scroll culture, argues futurist James Joseph. Image: Getty Images

A way forward #

While companies like Humane and Rabbit made headlines for how much their products flopped in the past few months, I believe the concept behind their products is truly the way forward.

Both companies have failed to stick due to their building sub-par LLMs, a mistake that was created in their valiant bid to not rely on OpenAI. Looking ahead, a potential partnership between a company like Nothing and OpenAI, could be tremendously exciting, giving us a new “iPhone” moment, and instantly removing the screen to give people multiple hours of their day back.

If Americans each got an extra two extra hours a day, a staggering 219 billion hours would be returned in total.

Wearable tech is our dam against low-value content. It could propel us back into a world where we can take time to engage with emotionally resonant, thought-provoking creative that influences who we are, providing deeper meaning and enjoyment than if we don’t stop the flood of digital junk.

As the technological movement heats up, it’s up to us – companies and consumers – to push our culture towards a tech-enabled future that allows humans more time to connect with each other and the environment around them.

James Joseph is a futurist, and editor in chief of CYBR Magazine.

All opinions expressed in this piece are his own and do not reflect the official position of Jing Daily.

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