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Tech Humanist: How You Can Make Technology Better for Business and Better for Humans
Technology drives the future we create. But are we steering that technology in directions that create that future in the best way, for the most people?In her new book “Tech Humanist,” Kate O’Neill examines the intent, goals and avenues through which people create and distribute technology, and the amplifying effects technology has on the values the organizations that deploy it.O’Neill defines a new model of business leader — the “tech humanist” — as developing honest assessments of organizational goals that move far beyond traditional P&L statements, and peer deeper into the consequences of everyday human experience design within our increasingly tech-driven culture.It’s the idea of using purpose as a strategy — defining organizational meaning, consequences and outcomes to align both business and human objectives — to spur making the world better by making the technology better. And it’s a role that needs to emerge as quickly and spread as completely as the new technologies it aims to harness for the common good, for both businesses and humans alike.
- GenresNonfictionTechnology
267 pages, Paperback
Published September 24, 2018
About the author
Kate O'Neill
6 books166 followersKate O’Neill is known as the "Tech Humanist." She is founder and CEO of KO Insights, a strategic advisory firm committed to improving human experience at scale, even — and especially — in data-driven, algorithmically optimized, and AI-led interactions.
Among her prior roles, Kate was one of the first 100 employees at Netflix, created Toshiba's first Intranet, and led one of the first digital strategy and analytics agencies.
Now as a renowned technologist, writer, speaker, and ethicist, Kate regularly keynotes industry events around the world, advocating for the best futures for humanity in an increasingly tech-driven and exponentially-changing world. Clients and audiences have included the likes of Google, IBM, and Yale University, as well as non-profit organizations, cultural institutions, professional associations, industries such as public radio, cities such as Amsterdam, and the United Nations. She was named to the 2020 Thinkers50 Radar, a global ranking of top management thinkers.
Kate's insights have been featured in WIRED, CMO.com, and many other outlets. She has been featured and quoted in a wide variety of national and international media, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, WIRED, NPR, Marketplace, NBC News, and BBC World News.
More information about Kate, including ways to connect, can be found at:
http://www.koinsights.com/about/about...
Among her prior roles, Kate was one of the first 100 employees at Netflix, created Toshiba's first Intranet, and led one of the first digital strategy and analytics agencies.
Now as a renowned technologist, writer, speaker, and ethicist, Kate regularly keynotes industry events around the world, advocating for the best futures for humanity in an increasingly tech-driven and exponentially-changing world. Clients and audiences have included the likes of Google, IBM, and Yale University, as well as non-profit organizations, cultural institutions, professional associations, industries such as public radio, cities such as Amsterdam, and the United Nations. She was named to the 2020 Thinkers50 Radar, a global ranking of top management thinkers.
Kate's insights have been featured in WIRED, CMO.com, and many other outlets. She has been featured and quoted in a wide variety of national and international media, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, WIRED, NPR, Marketplace, NBC News, and BBC World News.
More information about Kate, including ways to connect, can be found at:
http://www.koinsights.com/about/about...
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 21, 2026
I received this book at a work event in 2019 and started reading it before life got in the way. Since this topic is of great interest to me, I decided to pick it back up in 2026, knowing that the analysis and advice might be outdated.
In my view, this was a philosophical book about how technological advances, applied the right way, can create a better society. That point of view (heavy on the "applied the right way") resonates strongly with me. Even though some of the examples were dated, I thought the idealistic pieces of the book held up nicely. Now, do the power brokers of technology, business, and government have the will to ensure that advances in automation, AI, AR/VR, etc. are a net positive for everyone? That's a valid question and probably a better topic for a different book.
That said, there's a Pollyanna-ish vibe to the writing that might turn some people off. Keep in mind this was written pre-COVID and before our current stage on the AI hype cycle. I was skeptical at first but warmed up to the idea of seeing through the looking glass of a bygone era. Tech Humanist was a great reminder of the real potential for technology to make the world a better place, with practical (but surface-level) pointers about the guardrails needed to ensure this potential.
Overall, this was a good read that gave me plenty to think about in my tech career and provided some needed optimism.
In my view, this was a philosophical book about how technological advances, applied the right way, can create a better society. That point of view (heavy on the "applied the right way") resonates strongly with me. Even though some of the examples were dated, I thought the idealistic pieces of the book held up nicely. Now, do the power brokers of technology, business, and government have the will to ensure that advances in automation, AI, AR/VR, etc. are a net positive for everyone? That's a valid question and probably a better topic for a different book.
That said, there's a Pollyanna-ish vibe to the writing that might turn some people off. Keep in mind this was written pre-COVID and before our current stage on the AI hype cycle. I was skeptical at first but warmed up to the idea of seeing through the looking glass of a bygone era. Tech Humanist was a great reminder of the real potential for technology to make the world a better place, with practical (but surface-level) pointers about the guardrails needed to ensure this potential.
Overall, this was a good read that gave me plenty to think about in my tech career and provided some needed optimism.
January 30, 2019
Long phylosophical essay on things that are already happening
This book is a collection of thoughts from the author that appears to me like a long self-indulgent monologue.
If you know that technology is changing the way humans live, interact, work, etc. Skip this book.
It seems to be written for old CEOs that are stuck in the 80s.
This book is a collection of thoughts from the author that appears to me like a long self-indulgent monologue.
If you know that technology is changing the way humans live, interact, work, etc. Skip this book.
It seems to be written for old CEOs that are stuck in the 80s.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews