NXT Podcast: Alan Conti discusses how technology accelerates behaviors and challenges the human mind

What happens when technological evolution advances faster than the human capacity to deal with it? And to what extent do algorithms shape people’s behavior without them realizing it? These were some of the reflections raised in this week’s episode of the NXT Podcast. In a conversation with Giancarlo Nicastro, Effecti CEO Alan Conti discussed the impacts of technology on mental health, behavior, and workplace relationships.

At the beginning of the interview, Conti said that technology can be a powerful tool for evolution, but warned that, without self-awareness, it tends to trap users in algorithm-driven bubbles. According to him, platforms reinforce existing preferences and reduce exposure to different perspectives, making people more susceptible to manipulation.

“For those who understand what technology can provide, it can help humanity evolve. But for the general public, I see that it can be harmful. Algorithms deliver only what people already like to see or usually search for. If they do not realize they are being manipulated, the impact could be very significant in the coming years,” he said.

For the executive, self-awareness is the main filter to avoid this process. He argues that understanding one’s own goals and values makes it possible to use social media and consumed content more consciously.

“It is much more about knowing yourself first, understanding where you want to go and what your purpose is. Only then does it make sense to decide who to follow or what to consume on the internet. Without that awareness, you are being manipulated.”