Well, first of all you need a more specific research question, and a methodology + plan towards achieving verifiable results.
From a personal perspective as a designer, I’d say that taking on a multidisciplinary approach in projects is step 1.
Then from multiple perspectives we need to start with researching human life and how technology can contribute and add value.
Research here itself is a creative step in that we can influence what we research by already adding some new tools or systems, then researching how people interact. This is what Philips has been doing for years to research Ambient Intelligence (basically human-centered Ubicomp) in a home context. Then it is important to iteratively develop solutions while developing multiple aspects of the project - technological, social-cultural, aesthetic and business motives. You keep intervening in human life and see what it brings. Bill Gaver is another great example.
This multidisciplinary approach also allows every individual in the project to develop their own talents. A psychologist may gain a fascination with technology or design, and a designer may find great ambition in fields like robotics and AI if they become aware of the possibilities.
It is important that these technologies are a good fit to human life, otherwise we can end up with big brother stories, wasted budgets, sci-fi gimmicks, social stigmatization etc.