Human values and the future of technology: a declaration of empowerment

We must learn to balance the material wonders of technology with the spiritual demands of our human nature. John Naisbitt (1982). We can make a difference in shaping the future by ensuring that computers serve human needs (Mumford, 1934). By making explicit the enduring values that we hold dear we can guide computer system designers and developers for the next decade, century, and thereafter. After setting our high-level goals we can pursue the components and seek the process for fulfilling them. High-level goals might include peace, excellent health care, adequate nutrition, accessible education, communication, freedom of expression, support for creative exploration, safety, and socially constructive entertainment. Computer technology can help attain these high-level goals if we clearly state measurable objectives, obtain participation of professionals, and design effective human-computer interfaces. Design considerations include adequate attention to individual differences among ...