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Imagine working in a place where every move is monitored by AI robots. Every expression of disinterest, fatigue, or disobedience is tracked, with harsh punishments for any perceived unacceptable behaviour. Imagine giving up basic human dignity and freedom as one was not supervised by humans, but human led robots.

This may sound like a scene from some dystopian movie, but it is not. This is the reality in a part of the world we inhabit today. In 2023, the world was shocked by something that happened in China, the revelation of the “Robotic Slave Camps” scandal in Xinjiang, China. Under the guise of advanced automation and efficiency, factories in the region were found to be using AI-driven robots to oversee and control the labour of detained Uighur Muslims in internment camps. These robots, equipped with facial recognition and behavioural analysis software, monitored the detainees’ every move, ensuring strict compliance with forced labour routines.

While technology has the power to revolutionise our world, it also presents profound ethical and social challenges. This essay explores the implications of our rapid technological progress and underscores the urgent need to balance innovation with humanity.

Technology: the driver of human progress and development.

Undoubtedly, technology has been a driving force in human evolution, fundamentally transforming societies and shaping modern life. The advent of agricultural technology around 10,000 BCE transformed human societies from nomadic hunter-gatherers to settled agriculturalists. The development of tools like the plough, irrigation systems, and crop rotation techniques led to food surpluses, which enabled population growth, the establishment of cities, and the rise of complex civilizations.

Later in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Industrial Revolution brought about the mechanisation of industries. Innovations such as the steam engine, spinning jenny, and power loom revolutionised manufacturing. This period saw a dramatic increase in productivity, economic growth, and urbanisation, laying the foundation for modern industrial economies.

Current Technological Landscape

Today we are witnessing a digital revolution. The late 20th century witnessed the rise of computers and the internet, which revolutionised information processing and communication. In recent years, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology have significantly impacted various fields.The internet has democratised information access, allowing individuals to learn, collaborate, and innovate on an unprecedented scale.

AI technologies, such as machine learning and data analytics, have revolutionised industries like healthcare, finance, and transportation, enhancing efficiency and decision-making. For instance, AI-driven medical imaging systems can detect early signs of diseases like cancer with greater precision than traditional methods. Automation is also revolutionising industries, from autonomous vehicles to smart home systems, making daily tasks more convenient and efficient.

At the same time biotechnology breakthroughs, such as CRISPR gene editing, have opened new possibilities in medicine, agriculture, and environmental conservation.Telemedicine platforms have made healthcare more accessible to remote and underserved populations, while advancements in biotechnology have led to new treatments for previously incurable diseases.

The other side of technologically driven progress

However, as the old saying goes, all that glitters is not gold, the same can be said about the unprecedented rise of technology, which often has been seen as grossly transgressing our humanity. Technological advancements, as seen in many cases, have outpaced our ethical, social, and psychological readiness to handle their consequences. This imbalance has led to significant challenges and disruptions across various domains of human life.

While rapid innovations during the Industrial Revolution greatly increased productivity and economic growth, they also led to the exploitation of labour, including the widespread use of child labour in factories. Workers faced gruelling hours, enduring long shifts with minimal breaks , poor working conditions, and inadequate pay which took a significant toll on their physical and mental well-being. The rapid industrialization also contributed to urban overcrowding and environmental pollution. Today it has been considered as a point in history which heralded the Anthropocene era.

Similarly, the harnessing of nuclear energy provided a potent source of power but also led to the creation of nuclear weapons. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 demonstrated the devastating potential of nuclear warfare, raising ethical questions about the use of such technology. The threat of nuclear war has necessitated international treaties and non-proliferation agreements aimed at controlling the spread of nuclear weapons. The existence of nuclear arsenals continues to pose a significant global security risk and security dilemma, influencing international diplomacy and defence policies  often posing challenges to strategic stability. It complicates efforts to foster cooperative international relations and reduce conflicts, as nations must balance deterrence and engage in complex negotiations while managing the risk of unintended confrontations.

One of the most concerning aspects of technological progress is the erosion of privacy. As George Orwell prophetically noted in 1984, “Big Brother is watching you.” Modern surveillance technologies, including facial recognition and data tracking, have made it easier than ever for governments and corporations to monitor individuals’ activities and behaviours. For instance, in 2020, reports emerged about the extensive use of surveillance technology by the Chinese government to track and control Uighur Muslims.

Edward Snowden’s revelations about NSA surveillance in 2013 illustrated how governments and corporations could monitor individuals on a massive scale. “Privacy is not something that I’m merely entitled to, it’s an absolute prerequisite,” Snowden once said. The constant tracking and data harvesting erodes personal freedom and autonomy, leading to a society where individuals are often under scrutiny, altering how people perceive and experience personal space.

Hacking and cybercrime have emerged as significant threats in the digital age, affecting individuals, organisations, and governments worldwide. With the rapid expansion of connecting technology, the scope and sophistication of cyber-attacks have also increased, leading to severe consequences, including financial losses, data breaches, and disruptions in critical infrastructure , eventually breaching the line of humanity.

Today, an even bigger threat comes from the rise of Artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence represents a significant leap in technology, with applications ranging from healthcare to autonomous vehicles. However, the rapid deployment of AI systems has raised ethical dilemmas, including biases in AI algorithms, job displacement due to automation, and the potential for autonomous weapons. A 2020 report by the World Economic Forum predicted that automation could displace 85 million jobs by 2025. The impact is particularly harsh on low-skill workers, deepening socioeconomic divides and creating a workforce that struggles to adapt to rapid technological changes.

Making technology more humane

Throughout history, technology has driven progress but often at significant human and ethical costs. It should be noted that, Technology itself is neutral—a tool with the potential to both benefit and harm humanity. It is the values and intentions of human operators that determine its impact. The lack of ethics, humanity, and empathy, coupled with selfishness and greed, can turn technological advancements into bane rather than boon.

A clear example of this is found in the realm of high-frequency trading in financial markets. Here, sophisticated algorithms exploit millisecond advantages to secure significant profits for a select few, while exacerbating market volatility and widening economic inequality. This scenario illustrates how the pursuit of profit can overshadow the principles of fairness and stability, revealing the darker side of technological advancement when guided by greed.

Similarly, lack of human empathy and sense of justice is evident in the use of predictive policing algorithms in law enforcement and rise of technologies like facial recognition which are  intended to reduce crime but often end up perpetuating racial biases. These systems, driven by data and devoid of empathy, can unfairly target minority communities, exacerbating social injustices rather than addressing the root causes of crime.

Another technology that is frequently used and often misused is social media. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp were initially intended to foster global connectivity and information sharing. These tools have immense potential for positive impact, significantly influencing human psychology and behaviour. In India, social media has empowered people to voice their opinions, participate in social and political movements, and stay informed. According to a 2023 report by Statista, India had over 600 million social media users, underscoring the widespread reach and influence of these platforms.

However, they have also been used to spread misinformation, hate speech, and for manipulating public opinion. Social media has also contributed to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and misinformation. In India, the rapid spread of fake news and misleading information has led to significant social unrest and polarisation. The prevalence of cyberbullying and online harassment, particularly among young users, has had detrimental effects on mental health. A 2022 survey by the Indian Journal of Psychiatry found that 35% of Indian teenagers reported experiencing cyberbullying, with a notable impact on their psychological well-being. Furthermore, the addictive nature of social media has resulted in reduced productivity and attention spans, with many users spending excessive amounts of time on these platforms.

At the centre we see the humans and their intentions as technology is a mere tool in the hands of its operator. The values and intentions of its human operators ultimately determine its impact on society. Therefore, when ethics, humanity, and empathy guide technological use, it can lead to remarkable progress and improvement in human life. However, when driven by vices like selfishness and greed, technology can exacerbate inequalities, infringe on rights, and cause harm.

Today, promoting value-driven and inclusive technology requires a multifaceted approach, including ethical education, inclusive design, robust policies, corporate responsibility, and community engagement as the core pillars. One such example comes from The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It sets strict guidelines on data privacy and protection, ensuring that companies handle personal data responsibly and transparently. Such regulations help to protect individuals’ rights and promote trust in technology.

Since we live in an age dominated by digital technology, there is a need to promote healthy social media habits by encouraging regular breaks, setting time limits, and creating awareness about the potential psychological impacts of excessive use. Also, governments, non-profits, and social media companies can collaborate to develop tools and algorithms that better detect and mitigate harmful content. Transparency reports from these platforms can help track progress and identify areas for improvement. In this digital age, thus, one needs to enhance the reporting mechanisms on social media platforms to allow users to easily report abuse, harassment, and misinformation. It should be ensured that these reports are addressed promptly and effectively, providing users with a safer online environment.

Also, our humanity should not be limited to the welfare of humans only. One must remember that the world is one big family, and we all have the same rights over it, be it animals, humans, or natural resources. Recognizing the rights of wildlife and integrating their well-being into technological and developmental decisions should be considered at equal footing as that of humans. The legal recognition of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers as living entities with rights in India highlights a shift towards acknowledging the intrinsic value of nature and wildlife. This legal framework compels technology and development projects to consider the ecological impact and prioritise conservation.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “The future depends on what we do in the present.” There is a need to embrace a holistic approach to technology that prioritises human values and sustainability is not just a choice but a necessity for our shared future. As we navigate the complexities of technological advancement, we need to uphold these principles to ensure that progress not only truly enhances our collective well-being and preserves the planet for generations to come, but also gives a more humanised meaning to human development.