Chapter 1: The Breathless Pace of Modern Life

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the relentless speed of your work life? Each passing year seems to add more weight and less air to our daily routines. Currently, I’m delving into Gordon Brown’s autobiography, which, much like the author himself, carries a rather somber tone. The challenges he faced were nothing short of suffocating: delivering speeches, managing wartime crises, navigating media scrutiny, strategizing for elections, unveiling memorials, and addressing societal injustices, all within a single day. The tempo during his premiership was described as “breathless,” a stark contrast to earlier leaders like Disraeli, who made time for poetry, or Gladstone, who could vanish for weeks while translating Homer.

As we traverse through four industrial revolutions, we have witnessed an unprecedented surge in global production, which has simultaneously diminished our personal time. Modern technologies are employed to maximize output and value from each hour, while our interconnected world erases boundaries for respite. The relentless acceleration of life is the cost of economic expansion.

Over the past three years, I have collaborated with companies to ensure that their technological advancements benefit employees, communities, and the planet. A prominent trend, particularly during the pandemic, has been the emphasis on digital wellbeing. Solutions like Teams for flexible working and wearables for tracking physical health are being utilized to alleviate the stress and pressures arising from this rapid, tech-driven lifestyle.

Isn't it ironic that we deploy technology to mitigate the negative impacts of technology itself? This scenario can be likened to Stockholm Syndrome.

Similarly, in the realm of environmental sustainability, technology firms are increasingly striving to lower emissions by leveraging new digital tools to enhance efficiency. Yet, we have yet to separate overall emissions and resource depletion from growth, or growth from efficiency gains.

Nonetheless, we must recognize that not all technology is detrimental. How do we distinguish between technological advancements that have empowered millions and improved lives globally, and those that have adverse effects on our planet and ourselves? The reality is that both aspects coexist; every surge in progress that has alleviated poverty has also been accompanied by emissions and stress. With a heightened focus on planetary health and wellbeing, it is imperative that we find innovative ways to ensure technology serves the greater good, empowering us rather than merely benefiting corporate profits.

We often discuss technology-driven business models, but what about technology that is guided by purpose? What if we evaluated the success of technology, and business in general, not just through the lens of profit but by considering external impacts? Imagine if genuine values steered our technological innovations, rather than simply appearing on a corporate screensaver when we step away from our desks. How could we align incentives with comprehensive, integrated reporting?

By cultivating a purpose that is sustainable and addresses real-world challenges, embracing values that resonate with all stakeholders—not just shareholders—and linking compensation to our positive and negative impacts on pressing global issues (as outlined by the UN Sustainable Development Goals), we could fundamentally transform our relationship with technology. This approach might even afford us the opportunity to reclaim some of the time we've lost, even if our newfound leisure isn't spent translating Homer.

A discussion on the regulatory frameworks needed to govern AI technology and its implications for society.

Chapter 2: The Role of Technology in Sustainability

In seeking to balance technology's benefits with its challenges, we must also engage with the pressing issue of sustainability. As we strive for a greener future, technology can play a pivotal role in achieving our environmental goals.

Yuval Noah Harari shares insights on navigating the complexities of the 21st century, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and resilience.