Non-Limiting Technology: An Initial Proposal of an Emerging Concept in Software Engineering

Non-Limiting Technology: An Initial Proposal of an Emerging Concept in Software Engineering Tatiana Cartagena1, Rafael Ara´ ujo Rodrigues1 1TECISLab – Technology, Innovation & Social Impact Lab [email protected] Preprint Notice. This short paper is a preprint version currently under submission to a scientific conference. The content has not undergone peer review. Abstract. This paper presents the initial proposal of Non-Limiting Technology (NLT), an emerging concept in Software Engineering that seeks to rethink the role of technology in human development. Unlike paradigms such as accessibility, usability, and inclusive design, NLT is based on the principle that technology should not impose limits on individuals’ cognitive, social, or ethical capacities, but rather enhance their growth. The paper discusses related theoretical foundations, defines the initial conceptual pillars of NLT, and points out future research directions. It represents a conceptual effort to invite the community to explore new metrics and practices for a more human-centered software engineering. Resumo. Este artigo apresenta a proposta inicial da Tecnologia N˜ ao Limitante (TNL), um conceito emergente na Engenharia de Software que busca repensar o papel da tecnologia no desenvolvimento humano. Diferente de paradigmas como acessibilidade, usabilidade e design inclusivo, a TNL parte do princ´ ıpio de que a tecnologia n˜ ao deve impor limites ` as capacidades cognitivas, sociais e´ eticas dos indiv´ ıduos, mas sim potencializar seu crescimento. O artigo discute os fundamentos te´ oricos relacionados, define pilares conceituais iniciais da TNL e aponta caminhos futuros de pesquisa. Trata-se de um esforc¸o conceitual para convidar a comunidade a explorar novas m´ etricas e pr´ aticas para uma engenharia de software mais humana. 1. Introduction Since the 1960s, Software Engineering has sought to balance technical quality, such as reliability, performance, and maintainability [Pressman 2011], with concerns related to the user experience, including usability, accessibility, and inclusive design [Rogers et al. 2013]. These advances have contributed to making the field’s knowledge more efficient and accessible. However, even though there are initiatives to incorporate human and cognitive aspects, studies that investigate the long-term impact of technology on human cognitive development remain scarce [Gunatilake et al. 2024, Fagerholm et al. 2022]. The literature shows that digital technologies produce dual effects: they can both expand and limit cognitive and social abilities. Research distinguishes between effects with technology (immediate performance gains) and effects of technology (lasting cognitive residues that remain after use) [SALOMON et al. 1991]. The use of technology can act as a protective cognitive reserve but is also associated with the risk of digital dementia, depending on the type of engagement [Benge and Scullin 2025]. Recent reviews confirm that, while digital tools can promote collaboration and learning, they can also lead to attentional overload, excessive dependence, and ultimately induce cognitive and social atrophies when not designed with appropriate criteria [Barros 2024, Shanmugasundaram 2023]. In this context, we propose the concept of Non-Limiting Technology (NLT), which emerges as a conceptual proposition within Software Engineering. NLT encourages the design of software that avoids cognitive constraints, reduces dependence, and expands human capabilities. The purpose of this article is to present the initial proposal of NLT, outlining its distinctions (2), introducing its conceptual pillars (3), and opening a research agenda (4). This study invites reflection: How can we build software that not only works but also does not limit human potential? 2. Related Work The Non-Limiting Technology (NLT) proposal is situated within the context of Software Engineering, establishing a complementary dialogue with reference areas. Although these areas are well-established, they still present a conceptual gap regarding how to prevent limitations on human development, especially concerning long-term cognitive aspects [Gunatilake et al. 2024, Fagerholm et al. 2022]. Accessibility, for example, focuses on removing barriers that prevent individuals with sensory, motor, or cognitive disabilities from using software, following guidelines such as the WCAG [W3C Web Accessibility Initiative 2018]. Its mission is to ensure equitable access; however, its scope does not include the cumulative or developmental cognitive effects that may emerge from long-term technology use. Similarly, usability has enhanced the quality of human-computer interaction through metrics of efficiency and satisfaction [Nielsen 1994], but its emphasis remains on immediate performance outcomes, without addressing potential residual effects such as overload or dependence that NLT seeks to prevent. Inclusive and universal design advances this discussion by proposing that systems be conceived to accommodate a greater diversity of user profiles [Clarkson et al. 2013], reinforcing the importance of thinking beyond the “standard” user. Nevertheless, it does not establish as a criterion whether technology, over time, is enhancing or constraining users’ capabilities. Software quality models [ISO/IEC 2011] systematize crucial attributes such as reliability, security, and maintainability. Although usability is included in their taxonomy, the absence of principles or metrics related to human impact or long-term cognitive non-limitation reveals an important conceptual gap. Within this panorama, NLT aims to complement these areas. While related domains deal with access, interaction, and technical attributes, NLT places at the forefront the fundamental premise of designing software that does not impose limits or atrophies on the potential for human cognitive development. 3. Proposal: Non-Limiting Technology (NLT) This study proposes the concept of Non-Limiting Technology (NLT) as a guiding principle for Software Engineering. Its central premise is that software should be conceived in a way that does not impose limits or induce atrophies in human cognitive development. Unlike paradigms such as accessibility, usability, and inclusive design, NLT adopts non-limitation as a fundamental criterion for software creation, focusing on its long-term impacts. 3.1. Initial Definition NLT establishes that software design must consider, from its earliest stages, the preservation and expansion of users’ cognitive, social, and ethical capacities. A non-limiting software system, therefore, is one that, beyond fulfilling its technical function, avoids inducing dependence or loss of abilities (deskilling), while actively fostering user autonomy and continuous growth. 3.2. Conceptual Pillars To ensure that NLT is not merely an abstraction, its initial pillars derive from gaps and evidence identified in the literature on technology, neuroscience, and cognition. These pillars constitute the conceptual dimensions that will guide the development of future design guidelines: •Cognitive: Focuses on preventing excessive dependence and skill loss (deskilling), seeking to promote lasting technological effects on executive functions (such as attention, memory, and planning) rather than merely achieving short-term performance gains [SALOMON et al. 1991, Gunatilake et al. 2024, Barros 2024, Shanmugasundaram 2023]. •Ethical: Aims to preserve user autonomy and privacy, ensuring that softwaresupported decisions remain subject to human questioning and revision. This prevents the risk of unreflective automation and the weakening of critical judgment [Barros 2024, Shanmugasundaram 2023]. •Social: Actively seeks to promote inclusion and collaboration, preventing software from contributing to isolation, cognitive overload, or restricted access to diverse perspectives [Shanmugasundaram 2023]. •Long-Term Human Development: Emphasizes lifelong learning and continuous growth, considering the cumulative effects of technology use that transfer beyond the immediate task context [SALOMON et al. 1991, Gunatilake et al. 2024]. These four pillars do not replace or invalidate existing consolidated areas; rather, they add a complementary and essential dimension a central concern with the long-term effects of software on human cognitive and social development. 4. Discussion and Future Work The introduction of Non-Limiting Technology (NLT) aims to establish a new perspective for designing software that enhances human development while preventing cognitive atrophies and limitations. To address the research question “How can we build software that not only works but also does not limit human potential?” this study adopts non-limitation as a fundamental requirement for software construction, structuring four conceptual pillars (Cognitive, Ethical, Social, and Human Development) to guide this process. This approach stands out because, while areas such as accessibility, usability, and inclusive design focus primarily on access and immediate interaction, NLT emphasizes the need to consider the long-term cognitive, social, and ethical impacts of technology. It recognizes that software can act as either an amplifier or a constraint on human capabilities. It is important to highlight that this work is an initial theoretical essay, based on the identification of conceptual gaps within technologyand cognition-related domains. Thus, the proposed pillars currently represent conceptual dimensions, not yet established design principles. Accordingly, the main challenge and next step in this research is the transition from conceptual formulation to empirical validation of the proposed pillars. This defines a research agenda focused on: (i) conducting empirical studies to validate and refine the pillars; (ii) developing artifacts and instruments for evaluating software through the NLT lens; and (iii) advancing the formulation of guidelines and practical principles to support Software Engineering practice. Author Contributions Tatiana Cartagena is the original author of the term and concept of Non-Limiting Technology (NLT), being responsible for the theoretical conception and manuscript writing. 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