At the 6th Media Materiality Forum hosted by Tsinghua University's School of Journalism and Communication in Beijing, leading scholars called for a fresh perspective on emerging technologies. They urged today’s innovators to view advancements such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing through a lens that balances progress with planetary care.
Keynote speakers Professor Liu Hailong from Renmin University of China and Professor Jens Schröter from the University of Bonn challenged the common notion of technology as a mere tool. They argued that ethical frameworks, cultural diversity, and environmental sustainability must be integral to every stage of technological development.
Professor Liu contrasted Western instrumentalist approaches with East Asian philosophies that emphasize harmony among humans, tools, and nature. "The illusion of infinite computational growth ignores Earth's finite resources," he warned, highlighting concerns over AI's high energy consumption and the escalating e-waste crisis.
Professor Schröter further stressed that breakthroughs in tech need a holistic understanding of their societal and ecological impacts. This rethinking calls on global citizens, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders alike to reframe technological innovation as a force for sustainable and inclusive progress.
The forum’s insights have sparked a wider dialogue among young global citizens and change-makers, encouraging a reexamination of how technology can be aligned with human values and the well-being of our planet.
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Scholars urge rethinking tech's role in human and planetary futures
cgtn.com
