The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

North American Society, AI and the Technological Imperatives

  • Written by Mohammad Momin Khawaja

What We Think of Technology?

When we think of technology, we often think of things which manifest as inventions and happen to make our lives easier and better. Some of these inventions are things that we have been accustomed to use so often that we cannot go without. A computer, an MRI machine, a mobile phone, the internet, a car, a watch, or even a television are all inventions that we correlate with being technology. The word technology though, may cover much more than that. Technology is a systematic and rational way of doing things.(1) Technology is the organization of knowledge, people, and resources needed in order to accomplish specific practical goals. Therefore, a technological invention such as an automobile, a computer or even a microscope is not something that is simply added on to a society.(2) Rather, these inventions transform society.

Conception of Technology

There are various elements which make up the concept of technology. Most technologies share common elements which give context, structure, and meaning to the organization of knowledge, people, and resources. These common elements found in technology come to include:

  • Know-how, and ways of doing things.

  • Tools which extend and enhance human capacities.

  • Artifacts which are made, and then can become tools for making new things.

  • Usage of these artifacts, the needs that they fill, and the needs that they create.

  • Scientific knowledge that is created and transformed in the process.

  • The social contexts in which the technology is employed, and the social constructs which result from it.

It is of particular importance in many of the moral debates which stem from the uses to which technology is put, the needs and desires it serves, and the needs and desires it creates.(3) This may be simplified in being the social construct of consumer needs, and consumer demands. The ethical questions which arise include that should we use this technology? Why do we want to do this? Whose interests will be served? Whose interests wil be harmed? How will this technology affect us as individuals, as a society, and even as a species? These are all ethical questions whose answers depend on social goals and values rather than on scientific knowledge and capability.

Scientific Knowledge to Develop Technology

Scientific knowledge and capability in the development, testing, and deployment of technology are a means to agree upon in order to reach certain goals or ends.

Social and ethical problems in relation to technology arise when the development of fechrcieey is an end in itself. When this occurs, the use and potential impacts of a technology become secondary, and the pursuit of technological capability becomes the only goal.(4)

Thus, knowing how becomes more important than knowing why. In ethics, this concept is known as the technological imperative. That is, developing, using and deploying technology just because it exists and we are able to do so.

A good example of the technological imperative is found in Al technologies. That is, the ability of a computer system or a computer-—controlled robotic sysem to perform tasks which are commonly associated with intelligent beings.(5) Al development includes developing systems endowed with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans.(6) These intellectual processes come to include the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize, or even learn from past experience. (7)

Recent R &D process in generative Al has led to developments which allow consumers to make deep-fakes of just about whatever type of digital content. This type of technology is being used by students, academics, artists, musicians, journalists, medical practitioners, lawyers, and many others in various professions towards positive and negative outcomes. Al technologies certainly have the ability to make humans faster, better, and efficient.

There are also experts whose concerns are focused on the existential risk to society that Al development and technologies pose to humanity. The idea of mortals being made extinct by machines has long been a myth and fiction. Yet, if such Al technology development continues to expand at an exponential rate, we are then faced with questions which have never before arisen or really answered. These questions in relation to ethics would include what could this mean for humanity?

Is this desirable? Who would benefit from it? Who would be harmed by it? What would the socio—biological impact on how we study, work, socialize, and make important decisions in life?

Do people even want to have machines with intellectual processes characteristic of humans? In retrospect, many thinkers believe that our ethics have not kept pace with our technological powers. Although we now know how to do certain things, we don’t really know why we want to do them, should we ought to do them, do we have a right to do them, and is it in the best interest of humanity to do them?

  1. Collier, Carol and Halliburton Rachel, “Bioethics: Human Life Issues”, University of Sudbury, Sudbury, Ontario,

2006. _

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. "artificial intelligence (Al) ." Encyclopzedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica Ultimate Reference

Suite. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2013. i : :

6 Ibid.

7 Ibid.

Mohammad Momin Khawaja is a Sociologist and a Journalist: Member of the Canadian Sociological Association (CSA), and Member of the International Center for Journalist - ICFJ Global Network, Washington, D. C. USA. A graduate of Laurentian University in Sociology, he writes on current issues of social justice, criminology, philosophy, ethics, history and problems of social welfare system and human development. He is author of numerous publications including, Women in the Ancient World (Lambert Academic Publication, 2023), and his latest book under publication is: Philosophy and Ethics - Dilemmas of Modern Philosophy and Ethics. He recently published: “North American Colonization of Indigenous People, Cultures and System of Social Welfare.”

:https://www.uncommonthought.com/mtblog/archives/2023/05/26/north-american-colonization-of-indigenous-people-cultures-and-system-of-social-welfare.php.

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...