1: Introduction: Do Humans Matter in a Technologically Reliant Society?

Technology moves at a rapid pace (Gartner, 2024). There’s new technology and terminology every other month, and it can be overwhelming to try to keep up with the technology that is available to us. We’re told we need all the new technology and applications for our everyday life. Without applications and your device, can you access the doctor, banking, television, utility bills, talking to friends and family, learning at school and university or applying for a job?

These are all valid questions and raise concerns about our connectedness to each other and the way in which we use technology in our lives. How do we identify, value and decide which technology is important to us and our lives? (World Economic Forum, 2024). These are not straightforward questions to ask or answer. The complexity of technology solutions is not explicitly taught at school or at work, and often the purpose of a technology solution is not revealed to its buyers or users. Instead, third-party online service providers (OSPs) utilise terms and conditions, subscription fees and legal updates.