Putting human stories first in 'TechKnow'

When we first began developing “TechKnow,” there was one guiding principle set out by executive producers Steve Lange and Roland Woerner: This was a show about the intersection of hardware and humanity.

Yes, we wanted to look at mind-blowing technology that seemed straight out of sci-fi. But, as Roland often reminds producers during pitch meetings, we also have to show first-hand how those innovations can and will change our everyday lives. “Where’s the humanity?” he’ll ask, over and over until the story emerges.

We couldn’t make “TechKnow” without some very personal interviews from our subjects. Amanda Boxtel allowed us to watch her take her first steps in over a decade using a bionic exoskeleton suit. Sandra Aguilar’s family shared their heartbreaking hope that she would benefit from an advanced method for heart transplants. Blake Lawrence spoke candidly of giving up football out of fear that he could be permanently disabled by further concussions. Carmen Tarleton invited us to an emotional reunion with the daughter of her face transplant donor. Marines Jacob Daldos and Jonathan Warren tested new treatments for PTSD with our cameras present.

As 2013 draws to a close and we continue to work towards a whole slate of new episodes in 2014, we’d like to pause and thank these—and all the other pioneers—who have allowed “TechKnow” and Al Jazeera America to witness these great leaps forward.