Emtech Anthropology: Careers at the Frontier

EmTech Anthropology: Careers at the Frontier emphasizes anthropology’s critical role at the frontier of emerging technologies (EmTech). The book explores the opportunities and challenges that arise as anthropologists venture into the territory of EmTech, pushing the boundaries of traditional academic approaches and methodologies.

By sharing the stories and insights of early to mid-career anthropologists working in AI, robotics, Web3, cybersecurity, and other cutting-edge fields, the book provides a possible roadmap for future practitioners seeking to make an impact in the world of EmTech. These anthropologists demonstrate how the discipline’s unique perspective and skills can be applied to address the complex ethical, social, and cultural implications of emerging technologies.

The volume showcases how anthropologists can act as visionaries, innovators, and early adopters, shaping the trajectory of EmTech towards more ethical, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable futures. It highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, practical impact, and intervention in EmTech contexts while also acknowledging the need for anthropologists to challenge existing narratives and push the boundaries of the discipline itself.

EmTech Anthropology: Stories from the Frontier serves as an essential resource for anthropologists, students, and professionals from related disciplines who are interested in exploring the frontiers of anthropology and emerging technologies. By offering a glimpse into the exciting possibilities and compelling insights that emerge when anthropology meets EmTech, the book inspires and guides the next generation of anthropological innovators.

Matt Artz is an anthropologist specializing in user experience, product development, and consumer insights. He is the founder of Azimuth Labs, host of the Anthropology in Business and Anthro to UX podcasts, and an adjunct professor at the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University. His product design work has attracted attention from Apple’s Planet of the Apps and the South by Southwest (SXSW) Pitch Competition. His talks and articles have been showcased on TED, UNESCO, SXSW, UserZoom, UX Planet, Towards Data Science, and Product Coalition.

Dr. Lora Koycheva is an anthropologist and technologist working at the intersection of anthropology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and robotics. She is Assistant Professor at the Chair of Technoscience Studies in Brandenburg Technical University. She is also building Robots, actually! - a global initiative to rebuild the human condition with robots. From 2020 to 2023, she was a convenor of the EASA Applied Anthropology Network.