02
THE BIG IDEA
THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 02/2021
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What’s Tipping the Balance in Trust, Privacy and Ethics If Tech is Unbiased?
HARISH PILLAY Fellow, SCS Head, Community Architecture & Leadership, Red Hat
One often quoted statement is: “technology is neutral – it is not judgemental”. If we accept the preceding statement as reasonable, does it mean that we deem technology to be trustworthy, morally equitable and ethically acceptable? Let’s tease out the issues in this multilayered question.
M
ost technology is arguably neutral. Take nuclear technology for instance: it generates electricity; it is used in cancer treatment; it also powers spacecraft that enable humanity to explore the universe. Yet, it is one of the most dangerous weapon systems. Likewise, for water. Life needs water. But too much of it drowns life and too little of it causes death; water in its hot gaseous form can scald while water in its cold solid state can freeze life. Again, water as a technology, is neutral. Like nuclear technology, water does not take a stand.
