Launched in September 2024, the Research Centre on Human-Technology Interaction (HTi) at the Central University of Technology (CUT) is a dynamic hub of excellence dedicated to shaping the future of technology in service of humanity. As digital transformation accelerates across industries and communities, HTi leads the way in ensuring that innovation is guided by people, values, and societal well-being.
Our Vision
"To pioneer innovative research and transformative practices that ensure technology enhances human well-being, inclusivity, sustainability, and societal progress."
Our Mission
Empowering society through ethical, inclusive, and innovative technological advancements.
We believe technology should not only be advanced, but also accessible, equitable, and empowering. Our vision drives us to lead in research that redefines how humans and technology interact, creating a more just and resilient future for all.
Why Human-Technology Interaction Matters
From artificial intelligence to smart cities, technology is reshaping every aspect of life. Without a human-centred approach, innovation risks deepening inequalities or undermining trust. The HTi Centre ensures that technological progress remains:
Human-Led
Ensuring technology serves human needs and augments human capabilities, rather than being purely machine-driven.
Ethically Grounded
Embedding robust frameworks of accountability, transparency, and fairness into emerging technologies like AI and robotics.
Socially Responsive
Actively addressing real-world challenges and asking critical questions: Who benefits? Who is included? Who decides?
Collaborative Innovation
HTi actively partners with a diverse ecosystem to co-create solutions with communities, industry, and government. By integrating human-centred approaches into digital innovation, we are shaping technologies that are not only smart, but also fair, accessible, and trustworthy.
CUT Research Network
Synergistic collaboration with CUT’s broader network of specialised research centres.
CUT AIISA Hub
Strategic alignment with the Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa to ensure ethical AI development.
Industry & Civil Society
Direct engagement with industry leaders, government agencies, and civil society organisations.
Expected Outcomes & Impact
- High-Impact Publications: Advancing the global discourse on human-technology interaction through rigorous, peer-reviewed research.
- Practical Ethical Guidelines: Developing actionable frameworks for the responsible deployment of emerging technologies.
- Innovative Societal Solutions: Delivering tangible interventions to pressing, real-world challenges.
- Global Networks: Cultivating a growing national and international community of researchers and practitioners.
- Curriculum Integration: Embedding human-centred design principles into STEM and broader academic programmes at CUT.
Newsroom
Inaugural HTi Workshop
CUT faculty hosts the inaugural Research Centre on Human-Technology Interaction workshop to reimagine knowledge in a technological age.
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10 April 2025
Official Centre Launch
Central University of Technology officially launches the Research Centre on Human-Technology Interaction.
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20 September 2024
Driving Change Through Education and Partnerships
Beyond research, HTi is committed to shaping the next generation of technologists, designers, and policymakers. We integrate human-technology interaction into academic programmes, offer student research opportunities, and support industry engagement, fostering a culture of responsible innovation across CUT.
Aligned with CUT’s strategic goals, HTi reinforces our reputation as a forward-thinking, socially engaged university at the forefront of technological and human advancement — Thinking Beyond.
Stay connected. Innovate responsibly. Put people first.
