Technologies like virtual and augmented realities create experiences which can help generate empathy. Why? Because these experiences enable us humans to live in the shoes of others. Makes sense, right? This can foster understanding and compassion among leaders and policymakers, helping solve issues such as civil rights, social welfare and immigration, and therefore can be a solution to growth and equality.
What do you think?
You've thought up quite the scenario. So, you imagine that some political leaders will put on some virtual reality goggles, see poverty, be touched, then go save the world? This seems highly unlikely. I guess the only thing I can imagine similar to this is that thanks to technology, people can become more aware of the issues poor people are facing and then come up with solutions that will bring permanent positive change to their lives.
The biggest way technology is helping to eradicate poverty though is education. The internet is very quickly covering the whole world. Now millions of people have access to all the world's information, who didn't even have access to schools before. This is changing the world.