{"id":17863,"date":"2022-05-26T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-26T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fundacionbankinter.org\/noticias\/tecnologias-de-la-informacion-y-la-comunicacion-para-acercar-a-las-personas\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T23:18:34","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T22:18:34","slug":"information-and-communication-technologies-to-connect-people","status":"publish","type":"noticias","link":"https:\/\/www.fundacionbankinter.org\/en\/news\/information-and-communication-technologies-to-connect-people\/","title":{"rendered":"In a world where the line between physical and digital is blurry, are human beings closer to each other than ever before?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Our communication habits changed abruptly in 2020. The world over, people replaced physical contact with screen-to-screen interactions overnight. Work meetings, school lessons, chatting with friends and family… how did we embrace this shift in human relations? How are Information and Communication Technologies<\/strong> supporting us and enabling us along the way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walter Greenleaf<\/strong><\/a>, neuroscientist and medical product developer at Stanford University, helps us understand some trends in the Megatrends 2022 report<\/a>, focusing on current and future human relations in an increasingly virtual world. How did the pandemic impact digitalization and in turn, relations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The digitalization during the pandemic has had impact on us, but we still don\u2019t know how or how much<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because \u201cwe need time to conduct the relevant studies\u201d, says Walter Greenleaf, we \u201cwe do not yet have a comprehensive understanding of the degree and direction of impact on overall population brain heath\u201d that less social interaction<\/a> in 2020 may have had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides, it is hard to differentiate that from the direct impact of COVID-19. For example, if a person has suffered some cognitive impairment, how can we trace the origin? Was it digitalization? Stress due to the pandemic? A side-effect of COVID? This is a complex matter; it would require time to research and isolate the relevant variables. We do know that \u201cextensive use of video teleconferencing<\/a> can result in extreme fatigue\u201d, which entails \u201ca shift in our ability to recognize emotional states in others\u201d, compared with a physical meeting. For example, information from body position or hand gestures\u2014which can be very expressive\u2014is eliminated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is estimated that 65% of the information<\/a> exchanged in conversation is non-verbal information. Therefore, without a doubt, virtual meetings oversimplify conversations and leave out many elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New changes resulting from accelerated digitization<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to the first section of the Megatrends report<\/a>, titled \u2018Human Connections in an increasingly virtual world\u2019, digital connections have unprecedently peaked in 2020. Lockdowns have had significant impact con social interactions, they have redefined work<\/a> and put hitherto emerging technologies on the spotlight. They have paved the way for systemic changes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to highlight that there have been positive behavioral changes<\/strong>\u2014and let me highlight the word behavioral<\/em>, not conduct<\/em> or performance<\/em>\u2014such as the fact that we \u201chave learned to communicate more effectively by leveraging technology\u201d, in the words of Walter Greenleaf. Besides, \u201cmany of us have learned better emotional regulation skills\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is often mentioned that crisis means opportunity<\/em> in Chinese. The truth is that their word for crisis, \u5371\u673a (w\u0113ij\u012b), is closely related to crucial moment<\/em> or even fulcrum, <\/em>a point when change and pivoting become feasible (and recommendable even) with the goal of adapting to new environments<\/strong>. This is exactly what has happened with digitalization<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New opportunities in a data horizon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is important to note that this technological acceleration or leap forward brings many opportunities. One such opportunity is that wearable<\/a> devices have become very popular. In the words of Walter Greenleaf, \u201cWearable sensors allow us to design and utilize technology that senses, interprets, and adapts to how you feel and act\u2013technology that factors in your health status, your goals, and your priorities\u201d. In the video \u2018Digital health tools\u2019, he talks about how technology will drive improvements around health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tecnolog\u00edas de Salud Digital | Walter Greenlea<\/a>f<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n