I have an LSC comrade who I was talking about this with a bit recently. I shared that my perspective on the future, as a CS guy myself so probably in a more similar boat to you than not, being one where we will achieve some form of higher technological automation to free people from work (to some appreciable degree at least). She expressed a position that I hadn't considered before and need to read books on to learn about more, but essentially was one of degrowth and prosperity through a more Eco focused future rather than a technologic one - I need to read more but that seemed to the gist. Now I don't think her perspective precludes technology but it's not the primary focus.

I think it is an interesting perspective from someone who leans more anarchist than me and one I want to substantively engage with. Maybe that's what your comrades were talking about.

Technology is a tool we should use to further our ability to do our work and organize more people into the movement. Good luck in your efforts with coalition building. Our chapter is fixated doing similar but those who advocate for it want to be junior partners with other orgs in the area and I just largely don't see the point. We do some mutual aid work as part of them but its never something that drives engagement back to the chapter. I personally think our effort and capacity is better spent on places where we can organize and agitate people back into DSA because that is where our power comes from. Not in being allies with liberal bourgeois NGOs. Now these orgs can be allies but just be careful. DSA should not be a clearing house for activists but rather a home for organizers building an alternate to the maligned systems we endure under today.

Anyway sorry for the little rant. Wish you all the best comrade.