What is Human-centered Technology?

Tiffany Horan
2 min readApr 26, 2023
A Woman in a Tank Top Using a VR Headset, cottonbro studio (2021)

As technology continues to advance at breakneck speed, it’s essential to keep the focus on what truly matters: humans.

Human-centered technology is an approach that places the human experience above all else. It’s about designing technology that serves people’s needs while keeping their humanity intact.

But what exactly does it mean to be human-centered? In essence, it’s about creating technology that aligns with our values and aspirations. It’s about designing systems that empower us, rather than control us. It’s about putting people first, before profits or any other agenda.

One key aspect of human-centered technology is user-centric design. This means putting the user at the centre of the design process, involving them in every stage and understanding their needs, goals, and pain points. By doing so, we can create technology that truly serves people’s needs and helps them achieve their goals.

Another essential component of human-centered technology are the ethical considerations. As technology continues to evolve, we need to ensure that it’s used for good, rather than harm. This means designing technology that respects people’s privacy, data, and autonomy.

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