New Books in Science, Technology, and Society Human Leadership for Humane Technology
Sep 9, 2025
Cornelia C. Walther, an author and senior fellow at the Wharton Initiative for Neuroscience, shares her insights on technology's role in society. She discusses her transformative journey from humanitarian work to advocating for pro-social technology. The conversation highlights the duality of tech during the COVID-19 pandemic, exposing inequalities while fostering connectivity. Walther introduces 'Aspirational Algorithms' and her 'Values In, Values Out' framework, stressing the importance of human-centered design in AI to enhance rather than exploit human capabilities.
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Near-Miss In Kandahar
- Cornelia narrowly avoided a car bomb in Kandahar because her plane was delayed by five minutes.
- She frames small timing differences as profound reminders of interconnected risk in humanitarian work.
POSE Links Inner Life To Social Change
- Walther's POSE paradigm links individual aspirations, emotions, thoughts, and sensations to broader social change.
- Sustainable change requires addressing all four dimensions together, not in isolation.
Technology Can Be A Door Or A Wall
- Technology can be either a door or a glass wall depending on who can access it.
- Digital inclusion requires lowering technical, skills, and familiarity thresholds, not just providing tools.
