Technieksensitief

Technieksensitief is a Dutch-language term used to describe the disposition or approach of individuals, communities, or organizations that exhibit heightened sensitivity to the social, ethical, and practical implications of technology. The concept encompasses awareness of issues such as privacy, autonomy, digital inclusion, safety, and the broader effects of tech on daily life and power structures. It can refer to attitudes, behaviors, or design practices that prioritize human-centric concerns over purely technical efficiency.

Etymology and scope: The word combines techniek (technology) and sensitief (sensitive). In discourse, technieksensitief is often invoked to signal careful consideration of how technologies are developed, deployed, and governed, rather than passive acceptance of innovation. It is used across fields such as information ethics, human-centered design, and public policy.

Usage: The term is commonly applied to describe users who demand transparent data practices and explainable systems, and to refer to design and policy approaches that foreground consent, accessibility, and accountability. It is also used to critique or balance technocratic assumes that technology inherently improves outcomes, by emphasizing potential harms and social trade-offs.

Relation to other concepts: Technieksensitief relates to digital literacy, privacy-by-design, responsible innovation, and inclusive design. It sits alongside technoutopism and technoskepticism as part of a spectrum describing attitudes toward technology.

See also: digital ethics, privacy-by-design, human-centered design, responsible innovation, inclusive design.