In a world dominated by technological progress, it may be surprising that age-old philosophical ideas is playing a crucial role our current tech world. From AI ethics to the very question of human being in a virtual world, age-old philosophical questions are more relevant now than ever before. The intersection between ancient thought and modern tech is leading to a new kind of dialogue, and grasping this relationship is key to successfully managing our technology-powered future.
One of the most fascinating areas where philosophy comes into play is in the moral aspects of AI. As technologies become more autonomous and self-operating, tech creators are looking towards principles of ethics based on thinkers like Aristotle and Kant to shape the behaviour of algorithms. These long-standing ethical principles help developers address issues about justice, ethics, and accountability in machine learning. Additionally, debates around the ethics of data use, digital identity, and the dangers of surveillance are deeply philosophical at their core, reflecting discussions first asked centuries ago about the definition of identity and society.
But philosophy’s role in modern tech goes beyond moral considerations. Philosophers have long debated the concept of existence, and now virtual existence is challenging those very ideas. What does it suggest to "live" in a reality where we can create digital versions of ourselves? Are our interactions investment philosophy in a digital world different than those in the actual world? These ideas, once the domain of metaphysics, are gaining importance to conversations about the direction of modern tech. By exploring philosophy, we can gain deeper insights into the effects of technology and how they influence our view of reality.