Two Concepts to Keep in Mind
As an introduction to our panel discussion on AI and Humanity, multiple concepts can be explored that are crucial for understanding the topic: agency, existentialism, automation, decision-making, efficiency, bias, culture, and the definitions of intelligence and consciousness. However, we want to focus on two concepts with significant ethical implications and practical applications—technological determinism and technological externalities.
Technological Determinism
Are we shaping technology, or is it shaping us? This belief fundamentally influences our behavior. If we view technology as an unstoppable force beyond human control, it can lead to resignation and inaction. Conversely, believing that humans shape reality and society empowers us to take meaningful action to create a future where technology is a tool we use to improve lives rather than something that dictates the course of our existence. By actively engaging with it, questioning its impact, and steering its development, we can ensure that technology aligns with our values and enhances our collective well-being.
A compelling example is the story of Tristan Harris, an ex-Google employee. When his ethical concerns were ignored within the organization, he left and founded the Center for Humane Technology (CHT). His actions were driven by the belief that humans can shape the trajectory of technology, underscoring the importance of agency in addressing ethical challenges.
Technological Externalities
What are the unintended consequences of technology? These include both positive and negative impacts, such as environmental effects, societal inequality, and psychological challenges. Recognizing these externalities is crucial for addressing the broader implications of technological advancements.
While multiple educational programs integrate ethical considerations, ensuring adherence to these principles in practice remains challenging. Human tendencies toward convenience and profit often overshadow ethical concerns. This underscores the necessity of fostering awareness and accountability to mitigate negative impacts and maximize the benefits of innovation.
Moving Toward Action
These two concepts—technological determinism and technological externalities—provide a foundation for understanding technology's societal impact and planning ethical actions. We hope our panel discussion in Thursday, January 30 will delve deeper into actionable steps for creating a balanced relationship between humanity and technology.
Recommended Reading on AI and Technology
We’ve curated a list of essential books to help you explore the societal impact of technology. Some of these titles are available in our shop and can be found in our online store.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, 1818
explores the morality of innovation and the inventor's responsibility

You know the story, even if you haven't read it yet, right? The story of the inventor's madness from one point of view and of the great innovation from another. Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" serves as a prescient warning about the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition, telling the story of Victor Frankenstein and his creature to illustrate how technological innovation without ethical consideration can lead to devastating consequences – a message that resonates strongly in today's era of AI and biotechnology.
The Second Machine Age by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee, 2014
examines how digital technologies reshape the economy, jobs, and society

This book balances optimism about technological potential with pragmatic concerns about inequality and disruption. The authors argue that advances in AI, robotics, and other digital innovations are driving a new era of unprecedented productivity and innovation. They discuss the benefits of these advancements, such as economic growth and new opportunities, but also highlight challenges, including job displacement, income inequality, and societal disruptions. The book emphasizes the need for policy, education, and innovation to harness the benefits of technology while addressing its downsides.
Summa Technologiae by Stanislaw Lem, 1964
brilliant philosophical exploration of technology’s impact on humanity from a well-known sci-fi author

This book is a visionary exploration of the relationship between technology, humanity, and the future. Written in 1964, it delves into speculative concepts like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, nanotechnology, and biotechnology long before they became mainstream topics. Lem examines the ethical, philosophical, and societal implications of technological progress, emphasizing the unintended consequences—both positive and negative—of innovation. He explores how technological advancements can create ripple effects beyond their intended purposes, reshaping society, ecosystems, and even human evolution in unforeseen ways. Blending scientific insight with profound philosophical inquiry, the book questions humanity's ability to control the forces it unleashes.
AI Needs You: How We Can Change AI's Future and Save Our Own by Verity Harding, 2023
explores the intersection of ethics, technology, and collective action

Harding examines the pivotal role individuals and societies play in influencing the development of AI. She argues that fostering human agency, advocating for robust policy reforms, and encouraging active public engagement are essential to ensure that AI progresses as a force for global good rather than harm. Drawing on compelling examples and practical insights, Harding’s work is both a rallying call and a guide for those committed to ethical innovation and the responsible stewardship of technology.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, 1968
raises questions about humanity, consciousness, and technology’s role in shaping identity

The author challenges the boundaries between humanity and technology in a dystopian future. As humans coexist with advanced androids, the novel delves into profound questions about consciousness, identity, and empathy. Through the journey of Rick Deckard, a bounty hunter tasked with "retiring" rogue androids, Dick explores the philosophical dilemmas of what it means to be truly human. The story asks whether emotional depth and self-awareness can exist in artificial beings, questioning the essence of humanity in an increasingly technological world.
Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick, 2024
practical guidance on integrating AI into daily life

Ethan Mollick offers practical guidance on how to effectively integrate artificial intelligence into daily life and work. Drawing on real-world examples, Mollick shows how AI can be harnessed as a co-worker and coach, enhancing human capabilities without replacing them. The book encourages readers to see AI as an ally, offering insights into how we can work alongside machines while preserving human identity. This thought-provoking work emphasizes the importance of balancing technological innovation with human values in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, 2021
explores the emotional and ethical complexities of AI through a poignant narrative

This book explores the complex emotional and ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence through the eyes of Klara, an AI designed to be a companion to a young girl. As Klara observes human behavior and forms deep connections, the novel delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and the search for meaning in life. Ishiguro’s poignant narrative challenges readers to reflect on what it means to be human and how technology can influence our most intimate relationships. The story ultimately questions the value of human emotions in an age of artificial beings.
Further Reading
Nonfiction
The Creativity Code: Art and Innovation in the Age of AI by Marcus du Sautoy, 2020
AI is reshaping creativity across various fields like art, music, and literature, challenging the notion of machine creativity. The book examines its implications on human ingenuity and artistic expression, challenging the notion of machine creativity.
"Do Artifacts Have Politics?", the essay by Langdon Winner from The Whale and the Reactor, 2020
In this influential essay, the author argues that technology is never neutral. Instead, it reflects and reinforces the political and cultural values of the societies that create it, leading to diverse and often unexpected outcomes.
Why We Drive: Toward a Philosophy of the Open Road by Matthew B. Crawford, 2020
By contrasting the human joy of driving with the tech industry's vision of a self-driving future, the book delves into how motorized vehicles shape freedom, work, and community. It also addresses the cultural and philosophical significance of the open road.
Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code by Ruha Benjamin, 2019
Emerging technologies like AI are critically examined for their role in perpetuating racial inequalities. The concept of the "New Jim Code" reveals how technology can reinforce systemic biases under the guise of neutrality.
Human Compatible by Stuart Russell, 2019
Solutions for ensuring AI systems align with human values are offered in this practical and philosophical guide. It presents a roadmap for creating AI that works harmoniously with humanity’s well-being while addressing concerns about its role in society.
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff, 2017
The book dissects how tech companies exploit personal data for profit, raising important questions about privacy, autonomy, and the ethical dilemmas of living in a digital age where individuals are commodified.
Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O’Neil, 2016
In highlighting the unintended consequences of algorithmic systems, the book emphasizes their impact on marginalized communities. It calls for greater transparency and accountability to prevent these systems from perpetuating inequality.
Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future by Martin Ford, 2015
Exploring automation and AI, the book examines how these technologies threaten traditional employment. It predicts the societal consequences of widespread job displacement in an increasingly tech-driven economy.
Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies by Nick Bostrom, 2014
Risks posed by advanced AI are explored in depth, with strategies provided for managing existential threats. The book offers insights on ensuring AI development aligns with human values and promotes responsible innovation.
Automate This: How Algorithms Came to Rule Our World by Christopher Steiner, 2012
The rise of algorithmic systems is traced, showing how they have come to dominate everything from business decisions to personal lives. The book predicts a future where algorithms shape nearly every aspect of society.
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond, 2011
Geographic and technological factors that shaped human civilizations are explored, offering a deterministic view of how these elements influenced the rise and fall of societies throughout history.
What Technology Wants by Kevin Kelly, 2010
Technology’s evolution is examined as having its own "wants" and desires, with a focus on how human agency and societal contexts shape its trajectory. The book offers a deeper understanding of how technology develops.
Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology by Neil Postman, 1993
Cultural and societal norms are critically examined, focusing on how technological advancements reshape them in unexpected ways. The book warns against the unchecked dominance of technology over human life and values.
Fiction
AI 2041 by Kai-Fu Lee and Chen Qiufan, 2024
Set in a future shaped by advanced artificial intelligence, the collection of short stories imagines the societal and personal impacts of AI. It offers a glimpse into the evolving relationship between humans and machines.
The Overstory by Richard Powers, 2018
The novel explores the intricate relationships between humans and nature, focusing on individuals whose stories intertwine with the world’s forests. It also reflects on the impact of technology and environmental degradation on humanity.
The Circle by Dave Eggers, 2013
A biting satire critiques the tech industry, set in a near-future where a powerful company controls all aspects of life, from social interactions to personal privacy. The novel exposes the dangers of tech-driven utopias and the erosion of autonomy and privacy.
The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson, 2000
The story delves into a world transformed by nanotechnology, examining how transformative technologies shape societies. It explores both the deterministic forces of technological progress and the unpredictable dynamics of human interaction with these advancements.
Player Piano by Kurt Vonnegut, 1952
In this satirical novel, automation’s impact on human purpose and society is explored. It critiques the mechanization of work and its effects on individuality, freedom, and social structure in a future dominated by machines.
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