Why do systems meant to make things easier get ever more complicated?

We must link technology with informed personal judgment​, says Fraser Scott in The Scotsman today. Read the full article below, republished by kind permission of The Scotsman:

Technology’s relentless impact on modern life shows no sign of slowing and, for many, it is an unsettling prospect. Artificial intelligence (AI) dominates the headlines, and its influence on how we live, work and manage our personal affairs, now and in the future, will only deepen.

Yet beyond the headlines, everyday life itself is becoming more demanding. Financial management, tax compliance and routine administration have all increased in both scale and complexity. For some, particularly older individuals, the shift to digital-by-default systems feels less like progress and more like a growing burden, increasing demand for reliable support and oversight.

It is not just a question of time. Increasingly, it is about confidence and capability. While technology is often presented as the solution, it can just as easily add to the problem. Systems designed to streamline processes frequently introduce new layers of administration. Multi-factor authentication (MFA), for example, enhances security but often requires users to manage multiple devices, passwords and verification steps.

As technological change accelerates, a gap is emerging between the technical competence required to use many modern systems, and what many feel able to manage. A visit to one of the few remaining bank branches — particularly outside major cities — provides a clear illustration of those at risk of being left behind.

Against this backdrop, the need to put the right structures in place now, and to ensure they continue to operate effectively over time, has never been more important.

There is no doubt that technology, and AI in particular, has a valuable role to play. Routine tasks such as storing, organising and presenting information are well suited to automation, especially when accuracy and consistency are critical. Any effective system for managing personal administration should make use of these tools where appropriate.

However, technology alone is not enough. There remains no substitute for informed judgement, joined-up thinking and experienced oversight. Small errors in tax compliance or financial planning can have significant consequences. More broadly, managing an increasing volume of interconnected responsibilities requires a clear understanding of how everything fits together.

For those fortunate enough to enjoy family support, Powers of Attorney are now an essential part of forward planning, allowing trusted individuals to step in when needed. Increasingly, attorneys are being asked to assist not because of a prevailing physical or mental incapacity, but because of the growing technical complexity of modern systems. The challenge for those stepping-up to help, however, is that providing this support can be both time-consuming and difficult to sustain alongside their own professional and personal commitments.

As a result, more individuals and families are turning to professionally supported frameworks to help manage personal administration. This represents a shift away from the traditional, event-driven, transactional relationship with legal advisers, towards something more continuous, proactive and integrated.

Today, clients should expect to work closely with their lawyer to build a personalised, cohesive plan tailored to their lives and needs — one that combines the efficiency of modern technology with the reassurance of human oversight. While digital tools will continue to evolve, the need for clear, considered advice — and trusted support — has arguably never been greater.

Taking steps now to put the right plan in place will help avoid unnecessary complexity, stress, and a costly unravelling in the future.