Foreword

We are living through a new era where the interface between human capability and machine intelligence is determining the course of the future of all domains, sectors, and institutions. Having been part of the evolution of both technological developments and institutional strategies over the last several decades, I can say with a great deal of conviction that this book happens to be a timely one. "Human-Computer Interaction – "Managing Innovation and Sustainability" is much more than just a book on an academic subject. It is a harbinger of what is to come.

This book is a rare one – it not only asks us to reconsider the topic of HCI, but also to consider it through the prism by which we should measure our own social responsibilities, our economy, and our philosophies of leadership. Yes, the world is ready to talk about disruption and what is being automated – this book asks for more than that. It highlights the need to innovate in ways that not only accelerate progress but also promote justice, particularly in an era where data are easily accessible but wisdom is scarce. The strength of the book lies in its multidisciplinary approach. This book draws on the thinking and influence of people from diverse streams: the corporate sector, the legal profession, the education sector, and engineering. This allows it to create a rich tapestry that is relevant to the subject. The takeaways from this book will encourage people across diverse disciplines to move beyond the boundaries of their subject disciplines and think from a systems approach.

This is not a book with easy solutions or a utopian philosophy toward technology. Rather, it is one that raises questions of relevance—questions that are inciting, demanding, and urging us to lead with our minds and with our moral character. This is precisely what all great scholarship should ever hope to accomplish: it increases the dialogue and raises the level at which we think about the future.

I would like to congratulate the editors and the contributors on the clear sense of purpose and collaborative endeavor that has gone into the compilation of the book. This book is much more than an addition to the academic literature; it is an essential companion for anyone seeking to build a more connected, conscious, and sustainable world.