We, robots: Questioning the Neutrality of Technology, Ethical AI and Technological Determinism - Softcover

Lauwaert, Lode; Chomanski, Bartek

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3031771737 ISBN 13: 9783031771736

Publisher: Springer, 2025

Synopsis

This book takes a philosophical look at traditional technological tools such as hammers and drills as well as the modern: autonomous cars, ChatGPT, smartphones, apps, steam engines, nuclear power plants, computers, and many other systems that surround us. The three main questions tackled are:

• Is technology neutral? Or is the design often intertwined with a Western or gendered perspective?
• What are the ethical risks of AI? Is it necessarily biased? Is the climate problem linked to smart technologies?
• Is technological determinism correct? In other words, is the world controlled by engineers since the digital revolution, or are their inventions merely a product of society?

Lode Lauwaert and Bartek Chomanski offer an idiosyncratic perspective on technology and AI. The result is a nuanced and critical view of the key themes of our time. This book appeals broadly to students, researchers as well as non-academic audiences for an introduction to the philosophy of technology and AI.

“This book explores key themes that all revolve around the idea that technology is not neutral. This is a message for all of us. Because technology is us.”  Mark Coeckelbergh, University of Vienna

About this title

About the Author

Lode Lauwaert is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy of Technology at KU Leuven (Belgium), where he holds the Ethics and AI Chair.

Bartek Chomanski is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan (Poland).

From the Back Cover

This book takes a philosophical look at traditional technological tools such as hammers and drills as well as the modern: autonomous cars, ChatGPT, smartphones, apps, steam engines, nuclear power plants, computers, and many other systems that surround us. The three main questions tackled are:

• Is technology neutral? Or is the design often intertwined with a Western or gendered perspective?
• What are the ethical risks of AI? Is it necessarily biased? Is the climate problem linked to smart technologies?
• Is technological determinism correct? In other words, is the world controlled by engineers since the digital revolution, or are their inventions merely a product of society?

Lode Lauwaert and Bartek Chomanski offer an idiosyncratic perspective on technology and AI. The result is a nuanced and critical view of the key themes of our time. This book appeals broadly to students, researchers as well as non-academic audiences for an introduction to the philosophy of technology and AI.

“This book explores key themes that all revolve around the idea that technology is not neutral. This is a message for all of us. Because technology is us.” Mark Coeckelbergh, University of Vienna

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3031771737
• ISBN 13: 9783031771736
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 158