Adoption of digital technologies should promote efficiency, transparency, inclusion and the provision of services that generate public value
*By Camila Cristina Murta
Since the beginning of time, humanity has been guided by linear thinking – a sequential and logical way of approaching challenges and making decisions. This way of thinking, rooted in our biology and culture, has been fundamental to the progress of civilization. However, recent technological developments, especially in the digital field, have followed an exponential pace, profoundly challenging our ability to understand and adapt. This dissonance between linear thinking and technological acceleration has profound implications for society and for the provision of public services in Brazil.
American futurist Raymond Kurzweil, in his essay "The Theory of Accelerating Change", written in 2001, explains this phenomenon of exponential technological acceleration. According to Kurzweil, the rate of technological advancement is increasing exponentially, rather than linearly, due to increasing computing power and the positive feedback effect of innovations. This means that technological changes are occurring faster and faster, outpacing our linear capacity to keep up with them and adapt to them.
Digital technologies, driven by computing, the internet and mobile devices, have radically transformed the way we live, work and interact at an unprecedented pace. However, the benefits of these innovations are often overshadowed by doubts, fears and uncertainties about their long-term impact. Munhoz, an expert in innovation and the future, reinforces that “we are living in a unique time, where the exponential evolution of technologies challenges our linear ability to understand and adapt to them”.
One of the main consequences of this exponential evolution is the disruption of traditional sectors of the economy. Established companies that once enjoyed dominant positions face the risk of being overtaken by new players adopting innovative business models based on disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and the Internet of Things. This reality requires a profound transformation in the way companies operate and position themselves in the market, as well as challenging governments to rethink their strategies for regulating and encouraging innovation and technological development.
As Winston Churchill observed, “We are changing the world faster than we can change ourselves, and we are applying to the present the habits of the past” and this reality must be considered by public and private managers when defining the strategic adoption of digital technologies. Furthermore, the impact of digital technologies goes far beyond the economic sphere. The proliferation of social networks and online communication platforms has drastically changed the way we relate to and consume information. While these tools expand connectivity and access to knowledge, they also expose society to risks such as mass disinformation, political polarization, data security and invasion of privacy.
The adoption of digital technologies by any government is a response to society's demands and should be geared towards promoting efficiency, transparency, inclusion and the provision of services that generate public value. However, this transition requires significant investments in information technology infrastructure, human resource training and strengthening of cybersecurity. Furthermore, it is essential that the government develop public policies and regulations that balance technological innovation with the protection of individual rights and the public interest. This must also take into account issues of ethics, transparency and responsibility.
In this scenario of exponential transformation, the transition generation, which has experienced three general-purpose technological revolutions – electricity, computers and the Internet – plays a crucial role in society’s adaptation. This generation has the opportunity to act as a bridge, translating and facilitating the understanding of technological innovations for older generations, while inspiring and guiding younger generations to embrace these changes with confidence and responsibility.
Exponential technological evolution profoundly challenges our linear way of thinking and forces us to rethink our structures, processes and mindsets. Brazilian society and the Government face the challenge of keeping up with this accelerated pace of change, taking advantage of the transformative benefits of digital technologies, while mitigating risks and preserving fundamental values. This journey requires an open mindset, a willingness to learn continuously and a collaborative approach, involving all sectors of society, in order to build an inclusive and sustainable digital future.
*Camila Cristina Murta is leader of the Public Procurement Working Group of the Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES)
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
Article originally published on the IT Forum website https://itforum.com.br/colunas/pensamento-linear-evolucao-tecnologica/
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