Shiny but problematic - The pitfalls of leading with technology
Have you ever struggled with a touchscreen in your car, trying to change a setting while keeping your eyes on the road? You’re not alone. An article in today's Telegraph got me thinking about how touchscreens are reshaping the driving experience—for better or worse.
When tech gets distracting #
Touchscreen dashboards have finally taken over and ruined driving the Telegraph today
In a recent article in the Telegraph, it was stated touchscreens are ruining driving for many users, a sentiment echoed in countless other forums and publications.
I generally use a car to get form A to B, and less emotional about the driving experience, so couldn't say it's ruining driving for me, however it definitely introduces niggles and makes me think, who asked for this feature, what user need is it addressing?
Have you ever tried to adjust the temperature while driving, only to end up frustrated by an unresponsive touchscreen?
Touchscreens work well for devices like phones and tablets. But in a car? That’s a different story. A car’s primary goal is to get you safely from A to B, and introducing complex interfaces can compromise this. Similarly, with AI, while it has exciting use cases, it’s easy to over apply the technology without a clear user need.
As excited as I am about AI, I am equally concerned about the pace and desire to "AI stuff" without understanding or having a clear user need behind it.
It’s a classic case of what problems allow us to use this tool. It’s happened many times before but perhaps not with such a drive and ambition.
When good tech fails without a clear need #
There are countless examples of technology driving ideas, without a clear user need established.
- Google Glass: Cool idea, but people didn't see the point and had privacy worries.
- Microsoft Zune: Couldn't compete with the iPod; didn't offer anything new.
- Amazon Fire Phone: Too pricey, not enough apps, and no standout features.
- Webvan: Expanded too fast without solving delivery issues; went bankrupt.
- Boo.com: Fancy website, but hard to use and didn't attract enough customers.
These examples illustrate how important it is for tech companies to understand and meet user needs, rather than just chasing trends or relying on hype.
Amazon' putting user needs first #
Amazon thrived by putting user needs first. Jeff Bezos identified the need for an extensive, convenient online bookstore something physical stores couldn’t match. By addressing this core need, Amazon offered competitive prices, easy access, fast delivery, and customer reviews. These elements built a strong value proposition, with technology following the needs rather than leading them.
Amazon's core value proposition #
- Convenience: Customers could shop from home at any time, avoiding the need to visit physical stores.
- Wide Selection: Amazon provided access to a vast range of books and other products that many local stores couldn't match.
- Competitive Prices: Without the overhead costs of physical stores, Amazon could often offer lower prices.
- Customer Reviews: Online reviews helped customers make informed decisions, something not easily available in physical stores.
- Fast Delivery: Amazon's efficient logistics network ensured quick delivery, adding to the convenience.
These factors made Amazon a more attractive option for many shoppers compared to traditional high street stores. Technology followed after user needs were identified.
AI's Impact: Environment and Society #
AI is awesome I get it, but we need to be selective about its use cases and understand the negative impact, thinking about it in a systems thinking approach.
AI's environmental toll is significant, with high energy consumption, increased greenhouse gas emissions, electronic waste, and resource-intensive hardware production. Data centers also strain water supplies. Sustainable AI development is essential to address these challenges.
AI’s rapid advancement risks outpacing human and business adaptability. It can lead to job losses, perpetuate biases, compromise privacy, and foster over-reliance on technology, reducing critical thinking and human skills.
While we continue to measure success by productivity, environmental and social impact will always take a back seat, but good luck selling social and sustainability metrics to those holding the purse strings.
Summary #
Good design starts with people, not just possibilities
As we continue to integrate technology into our lives, let’s pause and ask ourselves: what problems are we solving? And are we solving them in the best way possible?
A bit about me: I’m a Service and Interaction Designer passionate about accessibility and creating inclusive services. With a dry sense of humor, I find joy in exploring the quirks of everyday tech
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