There is more and more talk of the binomial "emotional technology", in which the well-being of the individual is prioritized. The objective is that the transition towards a more inclusive and humanistic technological future allows innovation and emotion to go hand in hand.
Technology and emotions interact more and more, both with the challenge of improving our quality of life and with less clear objectives that could cross ethical, even legal limits.
However, the great advances in artificial intelligence (AI) do not seem to be going to replace the neuropsychological, cognitive or behavioral reactions that vital events provoke in our brains on a daily basis. Another thing is that emotions can be artificially unleashed or manipulated through technological devices, or that we can be subjected to "emotional surveillance", not for strict health reasons, but for political or commercial interests, among others.
If in recent years there has been talk of "digital well-being" as "an intentional state of physical, mental and social health that occurs when there is a conscious commitment to the natural environment and the digital environment", the term "technology" is already being incorporated. emotional” with the idea that the transition towards a more inclusive and humanistic technological future will allow innovation and emotion to go hand in hand.
What would be the goal of emotional technology?
According to the Integra Digital Foundation, it is that "developers, administrations and organizations from all fields focus technological innovation towards improving people's daily lives and building a better society".
How to make technology more humane?
Aware that technology solves many problems and creates others, and there are 5 themes to be developed in any technological project: its impact, role, positioning, function and attributes.
On the other hand, to develop emotional technology, specialists are no longer sought to provide “laboratory” solutions, but rather they must know the problems first-hand. A hyper-technological society should not become a hyper-active society. We should be able to manage the digital environment and not become "clickactivists" who do not want responsibilities.
Towards a healthy digital identity
Some projects that have focused on digital well-being are video games, in order to identify and combat cyberbullying through social awareness skills, or responsibility when creating a digital identity, helping the youngest to reflect on the use of digital networks, impact on emotional health and social relationships.
The areas of use of AI are very varied in the field of health: video games (emotions can be detected during the game); medical diagnosis (there is already software that detects depression or dementia), or remote patient care (not only to remember medication, but also to monitor). Other visual technology installed in cars makes it possible to monitor the emotional state of the driver and sends alerts if he is sleepy or very tired.
Companies that want to leave their mark on society must include emotional technologies that help improve their own well-being and that of the population.