At first glance, the landscape appears challenging. Declining attention spans, increasing feelings of isolation, a struggle to trust news sources, and a significant portion of our essential digital infrastructure controlled by a handful of colossal corporations paint a concerning picture. This pervasive digital dominance prompts a critical question: is this a predetermined trajectory towards techno-enslavement, or can humanity forge a path forward through intelligent, creative, and socially conscious innovation?
Evidence suggests that a course correction is indeed possible, with early signs of a more promising future beginning to emerge. As psychologist Gloria Mark from the University of California, Irvine, notes, “I am optimistic that we will course-correct.”
Shifting Consumption Patterns and Emerging Architectures
These nascent signs of progress manifest in several key areas. A notable shift is occurring in how people consume news and factual content, moving away from traditional text-based formats towards audio and content driven by influencers. Concurrently, a decentralized “fediverse” is taking shape – a network of interconnected servers designed to diminish reliance on dominant tech giants and bolster user data rights. There’s a growing sentiment that technology can be developed with a focus on broad societal benefit, rather than serving the interests of a select few wealthy individuals and investors.
The Influence of Audio and Personal Narratives
One of the most significant transformations in recent years involves the increasing preference for listening rather than reading news and other factual material. This shift has a distinct impact on how information is perceived, as listeners tend to engage more intensely with a story’s negative aspects. “People tend to walk away with an understanding of news that is less nuanced and more negatively biased after listening to it versus reading it,” explains Shiri Melumad of the University of Pennsylvania.
Melumad’s research further indicates that when news is shared verbally between individuals, rather than by forwarding a text, the storyteller inherently imprints their own perspective. “Retellings contain increasingly fewer original details from the story but more personal opinions and negativity,” she observes.
However, Dominic Guitard, an applied psychologist at Cardiff University, posits that humans can develop alternative methods for verifying information sources. “People may adapt by developing new strategies for evaluating information, particularly if audio content is paired with searchable transcripts, summaries or visual records,” he suggests.
Technology itself is also contributing to making news sources more personal and accessible. Data from Pew Research indicates that 21 percent of US adults and 37 percent of individuals under 30 regularly obtain news from content creators and influencers, bypassing traditional media outlets. For some, this transition might diminish the perceived trustworthiness of news.
Yet, this outcome is not inevitable. Research published in Nature Scientific Reports last year highlights that adopting appropriate technologies can significantly improve the credibility and authenticity of collected data. For example, integrating Global Navigation Satellite Systems data and Android location flags allows users to confirm a news source’s claimed location. Furthermore, blockchain technology offers a means to protect information from tampering or alteration.
The Rise of the Fediverse
The evolving infrastructure underlying our digital lives also holds the potential to enhance content trustworthiness. The expansion of the “federated internet,” for instance, offers greater resilience against interruptions, disruptions, and censorship.
This decentralized model provides users with enhanced flexibility regarding data rights and enables connections with like-minded individuals without being confined to a single platform. Bluesky, a microblogging social media service, is built upon an open-source protocol with a standardized framework for identity and data. The underlying aim is to facilitate interoperability between social applications, though the degree of success in this endeavor varies widely.
It is important to acknowledge that the “fediverse” is not without its challenges. As numerous researchers have pointed out, bots are prevalent within these federated networks. Moreover, Samantha Lai and Yoel Roth of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace noted in 2024 that “federated platforms remain ill-equipped to meet the threats of abuse, harassment, coordinated manipulation, and spam that have plagued social media for years.” Ironically, they propose that a degree of centralized moderation might be necessary to build safety and trust within decentralized social media platforms.
While these concepts are gradually being implemented, the pace is somewhat slow due to technical and commercial hurdles rather than a lack of willingness. In fact, many of the new companies developing and refining the internet are actively pursuing better approaches. They advocate for human-centered development and stronger regulations to limit the influence of algorithms.
Technology for Social Good
An illustrative example is the DAIR Institute in California, founded by Timnit Gebru, who is scheduled to speak at SXSW London 2026. DAIR is dedicated to ensuring that AI development serves humanity. The institute employs methods such as supporting technology developers in collaborating within their existing communities, rather than remaining isolated in Silicon Valley’s enclaves.
Other organizations are leveraging our enhanced capacity for connection. The charity Chapter One, for instance, utilizes AI and other technologies to provide one-to-one reading support for children. Currently, over 200 global corporations partner with Chapter One, enabling their employees to participate as online reading buddies.
While in-person reading support might offer distinct advantages, this approach reflects the reality of 21st-century society, characterized by reduced physical proximity. Gloria Mark believes people are adapting to this evolving landscape. “One clear adaptation to loneliness is seen in the rise of synthetic companions: people turn to AI for friendship and relationships,” she states. Her research indicates that the top six AI companies have approximately 52 million users engaging with synthetic companions.
Mark is set to discuss her research findings at SXSW London 2026 as part of the Society Rewired Track. She maintains an optimistic outlook regarding the potential for emerging technologies to serve humanity, rather than the reverse. “I’m not a Luddite: I’m not about throwing away technology,” she asserts. “I think instead we have to figure out how we can integrate technology into our lives – but on our terms.”
Connect, Engage, and Innovate at SXSW London
Are you weary of endlessly scrolling through low-quality, AI-generated content? Step away from the algorithm and actively shape the future in person at SXSW London. Spanning six days in Shoreditch and featuring forward-thinking conference speakers, cutting-edge live music, and premiere film screenings, SXSW London offers a platform to discover what comes next.
This year’s themes include an exploration of emerging AI experiences, strategies for societal adaptation to new technologies, visions for the future of urban living, and the impact of new technologies on health, medicine, and longevity. Join a global community of speakers, decision-makers, and participants from June 1-6, 2026.
Find more information at: sxswlondon.com