TRANSFORMING OUR ENVIRONMENT
While the internet represents access to unlimited knowledge, technology platforms can limit people’s experience by trapping them in echo chambers where their existing views are reinforced. There is a danger that our experience will be limited even further if, in the future, a growing proportion of our online activity comes from immersive or non-visual conversational interfaces. The former utilises Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technology while examples of the latter including Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa or Microsoft’s Cortana.
These interfaces rely on algorithms designed to provide us with choices that maximise our engagement, so will inevitably encourage users to increasingly interact with others that are similar which can push them to extreme opinions or increase hostility to other users.
Charities may have an important role to play in overcoming the consequences of social echo chambers. Our
Brexit research found that 46% of people believe that charities can help to improve community cohesion and 63% agreed that charities can provide support to marginalised groups. So it is clear that our sector has an essential role in tackling social isolation through campaigning and advocacy work.
At the same time, it should not be forgotten that AR and VR technology can also benefit generosity and also that conversational interfaces represent a convenient way to support good causes. Simply saying your intention out loud can begin the same voice-activated process as instant consumer purchasing, reducing the time and practical steps required to donate.