Don’t Let Science and Technology Dominate Humanity’s Future

Today, nearly every personal or social challenge seems to come with a technological fix — an app, a dashboard, or an AI “assistant.” People of all ages now rely on algorithms to ease loneliness, solve relationship issues, write essays, choose entertainment, check health symptoms, or even craft romantic messages. Innovation is not the problem; the real danger lies in how quietly we are allowing technology to define progress while pushing aside culture, relationships, memory, creativity, and meaning.

This transformation happened faster than anyone expected. In 2000, only a small percentage of the global population was online. Now, billions are connected, with social media usage dominating daily routines. Reports indicate that more than a billion people use AI tools each month, marking a dramatic shift in how society functions.

Within just a few decades, activities once rooted in family, community, literature, and local institutions are now filtered through screens and automated systems. Useful innovations have slowly turned into excessive dependence, creating several worrying trends.

Friendship and human connection are increasingly mediated by curated feeds instead of real gatherings, conversations, and visits. Young people especially rely on short videos and emojis to feel connected. Yet loneliness is rising worldwide, damaging both mental and physical health. People are more digitally connected than ever before — but more emotionally isolated.

Education and writing are being delegated to generative AI. Surveys show that a growing number of organizations use AI tools daily. Students use them to complete assignments, and professionals depend on them for reports and presentations. While efficiency improves, the foundations of original thinking, creativity, and ethical judgment risk weakening.

Healthcare has also shifted toward digital-first models. Telemedicine has become a permanent part of medical systems worldwide. It is invaluable for remote areas but risks reducing patients to data entries instead of individuals needing human care.

Culture and entertainment increasingly depend on algorithmic recommendations. Instead of critics, curators, or personal exploration, automated systems determine what people watch, read, or listen to. This can broaden access but also limits diversity, overshadowing new and local talent.

Even economic and policymaking decisions lean heavily on complex models designed by small groups of experts. When governments and businesses depend too blindly on these systems, the collective wisdom of society is replaced by opaque algorithms that may not reflect human values.

The effects of this imbalance are already visible.

Mass layoffs in the tech sector have left hundreds of thousands unemployed, with many companies restructuring their workforce for automation. Youth unemployment remains high globally, especially in regions like the Middle East and North Africa. For many young graduates, the technology boom has brought few secure opportunities.

Despite constant connectivity, loneliness and anxiety continue to rise. Social platforms, built for engagement rather than emotional well-being, often amplify envy, stress, and division instead of connection.

Meanwhile, millions of people remain offline or lack the digital skills required to benefit from modern technology. As AI-driven systems become essential in education, healthcare, and finance, those without access risk being left behind, widening global inequality.

Culture is facing both creative and financial pressure. The global creative sector employs millions of people and contributes significantly to economies. But when algorithms prioritize profit and predictability, the richness of human imagination suffers.

Power is also concentrating in a few platforms and countries that control the data, systems, and rules shaping daily digital life. Their decisions influence what billions of people see, value, and believe.

However, this does not mean technology is harmful by nature. AI in medicine can save lives. During global crises, digital platforms helped people stay connected. And future job assessments suggest that while technology may eliminate some roles, it will also create new ones — but only if societies invest in education and skill development.

The Arab world, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, demonstrates a balanced approach. Vision-driven national strategies treat culture, creativity, and entertainment as essential parts of progress. New cultural institutions and creative academies highlight an investment in human imagination alongside technological advancement.

The real question is not whether technology should be embraced — it must be — but how far it should be allowed to shape human life. If efficiency and algorithms determine every decision, society risks becoming dependent on machines, leading to inequality and emotional burnout. But if culture, arts, humanities, social traditions, sports, and education are treated as equal partners in progress, technology can enhance rather than replace human potential.

For policymakers, the message is clear: invest in cultural infrastructure, arts education, and social well-being with the same enthusiasm given to AI development and digital expansion. For individuals, the advice is simpler: step away from screens occasionally, reconnect with friends, revive meaningful traditions, read timeless books, and rediscover real music.