by Suneet Pansare
A few months ago, while scrolling through my LinkedIn feed, I noticed a sudden but obvious rise in the use of the term "AI". Curious about the proliferation of AI as an adjective and an adverb, I decided to dig a bit deeper. I typed "AI" into the search bar and was flooded with profiles that had "AI" in their bios. Something stood out to me—these profiles were mostly of startup founders, and there was a clear pattern in how they described their ventures. Many of these startups began with phrases like "AI-powered" or "AI-driven," followed by a description of the impact they aimed to achieve with their solutions.
This triggered a sense of déjà vu. Interestingly, few years ago, bios and headlines were dominated by terms like AR/VR and the metaverse. Before that, it was Web3, and prior to that, the buzzword was blockchain. I also noticed a similar pattern in startup funding news, where headlines often emphasized the technology used—words like "AI" and "deep-tech"—rather than the actual problem being solved. This pattern brought to my mind, Amara’s Law: People tend to overestimate the short-term impact of new technologies while underestimating their long-term effects. People tend to fixate on immediate techno-solutionism without fully accounting for the long term implications.
Curious to explore further, I visited the website of Sequoia Capital, the renowned venture capital firm known for its investments in some of the world’s most successful startups. To my surprise, I noticed that their portfolio was also largely categorized by technology.
While I’d like to think of myself as a techno-optimist, I can’t help but feel that, as a society, we may be losing sight of the bigger picture. It seems we’ve forgotten to build the right context and systemic understanding of the problems we’re trying to solve, perhaps over-relying on technology for solutions.
It made me wonder: Has technology become the solution to every problem? Or more intriguingly, has it become the lens through which we define the problem itself? Or does capitalism manoeuvre society into solving problems with technology?
The idea that solutions must rely on technology is not only reductionist but also an underestimation of human ingenuity.
Having practiced futures for a while now, I’ve learnt that for most trends, there are counter-trends. Keeping this in mind, I decided to look for signals, trends, products, services or practices out there that will point me to solutions that were developed without technology but were developed in the context of appropriate planet-centric + human-centric design.
Here are 3 non-tech solutions, sustainable, innovative practices that:
1. Terracotta Matkas: Earthen pots for cooling water, instead of refrigerators
During a recent visit to my grandparents in Pune, I noticed my grandmother pouring drinking water into matkas (earthen pots) at the beginning of the day. The matka had a small tap attached to dispense water. Matkas offer a sustainable and energy-efficient alternative to refrigeration in hot climates like India. Leveraging the natural porosity of the terracotta material, water inside the matka slowly seeps through the pot's surface and evaporates, cooling the contents inside through evaporative cooling. To my surprise, the water was almost as cold as refrigerator water. Unlike electric refrigerators, which consume a significant amount of energy, this ancient practice of using terracotta pots is eco-friendly, affordable, and accessible, promoting low-cost cooling solutions that are in harmony with the environment.
2. The Banyan Tree: Community spaces that beat online forums/communities
In small towns and villages across India, a banyan tree often stands at the heart of the village, serving as a central gathering spot where people meet to socialize, discuss local issues, share stories, and connect. These gatherings, which happen without the need for messaging apps like WhatsApp or other digital tools, are an integral part of village life, offering a shaded, cool space where the community can bond and interact. The katta—the platform beneath the tree—acts as a space for open dialogue and connection, fostering a deep sense of unity and belonging within the local culture. Under the banyan’s expansive canopy, even conversations about village politics take place, creating a true community hub.
Source: Alamy
3. Community-led Activities: Community over AI-powered chatbots to navigate mental health challenges
Ancient tribes demonstrate that simple, community-led activities can effectively address mental health challenges without relying on advanced technology such as AI chatbots for mental health. As Dr. Bruce Perry highlights in his book, “What Happened to You? – Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing?” the Māori concept of Whanaungatanga emphasizes the importance of connection, kinship, and shared experiences. By fostering close relationships through activities like games, traditions, and storytelling, communities create a supportive environment that encourages co-regulation and healing. These simple and cost-effective practices help to combat issues like depression and trauma by reinforcing a sense of belonging and connection, ultimately addressing the underlying disconnection that contributes to mental health struggles.
True innovation is not just about applying the latest technology—it is about deeply understanding human and planetary needs, exploring the correct context, and considering systemic implications. The terracotta matkas, banyan tree gatherings, and community-led practices remind us that simple, context-driven solutions can effectively and sustainably address complex challenges. While technology undoubtedly plays a vital role in solving many problems, it should be one tool among many, not the default solution.
As Cedric Price thoughtfully asked, “Technology is the answer, but what was the question?” In a world captivated by technological advancements, we must remember that the future of innovation will not be defined solely by the technologies we create, but by the wisdom with which we choose to implement them.
© Suneet Pansare, 2024
Suneet Pansare is a Design and Foresight Strategist who operates at the intersection of design strategy and futures, enabling organizations not only to imagine possible futures but also to co-design future-ready solutions, explore new opportunity areas, and navigate uncertainties. With approximately five years of experience, he has collaborated with organizations across multiple industries such as insurance, banking, airlines, hospitality, and energy. Suneet holds a Master’s degree in Design from the MIT Institute of Design and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Manchester.
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