{"id":12052,"date":"2025-11-23T20:44:41","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T03:44:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec523\/?p=12052"},"modified":"2026-02-04T09:51:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T16:51:19","slug":"the-rise-of-natural-humanism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec523\/2025\/11\/23\/the-rise-of-natural-humanism\/","title":{"rendered":"A3: The Rise of Natural Humanism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When considering “a prospective future aspect or dimension of mobile intelligence \u2013 one that does not exist now, but could or should \u2013 that would have significant relevance to the student” it is hard not to feel like every future possibility has already been foreseen, lamented, or excitedly anticipated. And the capability of technology should not be underestimated. But what is a prospective future aspect that has not been widely discussed or anticipated. We’ve all heard and seen people talking about the bright future of bespoke tutors and freedom from work. We’ve all heard the lament of the death of civilization at the hands of power-hungry overlords. And there’s been clear indications that mobile technologies are continuing to evolve and their use and application as a tool or support for education has great potential. Apple recently launched their newest version of the iPod<\/s> AirPod Pro that promises live, real-time translation. And AR\/VR headsets continue to evolve in capability and portability. The notion that mobile intelligence was restricted to an iPhone or iPad is an antiquated one. Our technologies have become so capable and compact that we are clearly on the verge of ubiquitous intelligence. Not so much that the intelligence is ubiquitous, but more so that it is so readily available that it will feel that way. But even this is hardly a new thought or idea. So maybe this: The future of mobile intelligence is ubiquitous intelligence, which will usher in a renewed appreciation and value for natural humanism.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Definitions:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mobile Intelligence:<\/strong> Sometimes called “phone intelligence”, refers to the integration of AI and machine learning capabilities directly into mobile devices. This technology uses phone and mobile reception and on-device processing to provide insights for various purposes, often without relying on constant server connections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ubiquitous Intelligence: <\/strong>The notion that AI and machine learning technologies are readily available in almost any context and for any usage or application<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural Humanism: <\/strong>The skill, ability, and knowledge that a human might have to perform, know or create in our physical world without reliance or assistance on artificial intelligence machines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mobile Intelligence, changing things<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mobile intelligence affords freedom \u2014 at least that is the promise. Freedom from restraint, freedom from other connections or tethers. It is the idea that wherever you are and whatever you need can be accessed from where you are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also affords the freedom of time, thought, and focus. The tools free us to have more time for our own thoughts and freedom to focus on our own interests. From a student perspective this sounds like a gift. This might be true if the students desire is to learn or leverage these tools for that purpose. But mobile intelligence might change how we think and act in other ways.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is quite possible we are moving from a knowledge based society to something else. If all knowledge is immediately accessible what do we need to know? Is knowing a language necessary? iPods<\/s> AirPods! Is knowing how to navigate necessary? Mobile phones! Knowing how to do anything\u2026 I have a thing. It is possible that this immediacy of knowledge leads to people actually knowing less. On purpose. So what does that mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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But maybe it’s not such a bad thing. If mobile intelligence makes all knowledge immediately available then maybe there is opportunity there to learn and think about more important things. Like how to think. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the future I believe that people will love the immediacy and ignore the fallibility of our mobile technologies. We will embrace the utility and ignore the impact. But maybe we will marvel at the artificial but value the natural. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is relevant to a student?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What’s that saying\u2026 we don’t know what we don’t know? So what do we need to know so that we know what we don’t know and know how to know it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you teach if everything can be known when needed?
What can you teach that will be valued?
What can you teach that AI\/MI can’t do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n