Debunking Technological Neutrality: Exposing and Countering Technological Biases

Debunking Technological Neutrality; Exposing and Countering Technological Biases
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Abstract
The term "technological neutrality" refers to the idea that developers should design and use technology without bias or prejudice. It is often used to describe technology application in society or its neutrality in decision-making. Even though technological neutrality is a widely accepted concept, there is increasing evidence that technology can lead to biased decisions, especially regarding the development of artificial intelligence (AI). Therefore, it is essential to debunk the technological neutrality myth and expose and counter the involved biases. The assumption many people hold about neutrality is that technologies are neutral because they are designed to be unbiased. However, it is challenging for technology to be impartial because its designers use algorithms that limit its activities. They might display the biases of a program ranging from personal experiences to interconnection and neutrality. This write-up will debunk technological neutrality, exposing the prejudices and measures to counter technological tendencies.
The Myth of Technological Neutrality
The myth of technological neutrality is that technology does not have any bias, is neutral, and is up to the user to determine its use, outcomes, implications, and effects. Technological neutrality is a common belief, especially among those within the technology sector, but it is only sometimes accurate. Technologies are designed and developed by people with certain biases, values, and worldviews that influence how a technology works (Delvenne et al., 2019). The preferences could be through the decisions made regarding which features to emphasize, platforms to target, data to collect and how it is used, or even something seemingly innocuous as the language used to interact with a particular piece of technology.
The values will inherently inform the decisions of the people designing and developing them. Those values will be transmitted to users, leading to certain advantages and disadvantages for specific users. Bias could be in terms of the user's gender or race, geographical location, economic standing, or other factors (Delvenne et al., 2019). Furthermore, technology exists within a culture and system informed by bias and values. For example, a student assessment technology may be considered 'neutral.' Still, when used within a school system containing systemic racism, it can perpetuate racism. Therefore, it is essential to acknowledge that technology is not neutral and that it is impossible to create a technology entirely free of bias. It is up to those within the technology sector to be mindful of their preferences and aware of potential technologies' implications.
Debunking Technological Neutrality
Debunking Technological Neutrality is the idea that technology is not neutral, as it can significantly impact society. The concept assumes that technology is unbiased and its effects depend on how it is used. The idea is often used as a justification for not engaging in regulatory activities, implying that regulation would be an unnecessary interference in the "natural" course of technological developm...