ABSTRACT
It is a truism that technology, such as AI, increasingly pervades every aspect of contemporary societies. This techno-centricity, however, is neither neutral nor inevitable but, instead, shaped by human choices and values, interwoven with human intentions, cultural norms, and societal structures. It reflects and amplifies existing inequalities, biases, and ideologies while introducing new dynamics of power and control. And yet, the way in which technology, and the broader notion of progress, is framed not only obfuscates such contingencies and value-based choices – it presents technological development as both unavoidable and a good in itself. Potential crossroads in this path of progress not only fail to be seen – their very possibility is denied. Hence, this chapter explores the interplay between technological progress and societal values, emphasising the need for critical reflection on the trajectories of digital advancements. It challenges the deterministic narrative that equates technological development with linear progress, highlighting the moral blindness and ethical oversights that arise from this perspective. Drawing on the concepts of adiaphorisation and liquid evil, it challenges the supposed consensus around technological progress as unequivocal good, emphasising the need to notice and seriously consider the value crossroads of technological advancements.
