Technology is a Useful Servant but a Dangerous Master

14-10-2024

In 1945, while the world slept, one of the brightest minds of that time was deep in thought. During the testing of the first atomic bomb, scientist Robert Oppenheimer witnessed an explosion that changed history. As he watched the enormous power of destruction, he remembered a line from the ancient Indian text, the Bhagavad Gita: "Now I have become Death, the destroyer of worlds." This moment revealed a crucial truth: technology, when uncontrolled, can shift from a helpful servant to a dangerous master, capable of great destruction.

In this essay, we will explore the many aspects of technology, focusing on how it improves our lives and when it begins to control us. We will examine the benefits and dangers of relying too much on technology and seek practical solutions to keep it useful. Finally, we will consider how society can manage the risks of advanced technologies like AI and automation while still enjoying their progress.

The Power to Create: Technology as an Enabler of Human Potential

When managed properly, technology boosts productivity and creativity, encouraging growth and development. It is often said that technology is "the great engine of change." For instance, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a 30% increase in telemedicine usage after COVID-19, which greatly improved healthcare access for rural communities. Telemedicine enabled doctors to diagnose and treat patients without the need for them to travel long distances. Additionally, CRISPR technology has achieved an 89% success rate in treating genetic disorders like sickle cell anemia, transforming the possibilities in medicine and giving hope to many families affected by these diseases.

However, if technology is mismanaged, it risks becoming a master rather than a servant. The potential benefits can easily turn into risks if we do not use technology wisely and ethically.

The Unseen Threats: When Technology Outpaces Humans and Ethics

Technology without ethical oversight can lead to serious inequalities. For example, China’s Social Credit System, which monitors citizens’ behavior through AI, raises major concerns about privacy and individual freedom. A 2020 report from Human Rights Watch noted that over 200 million cameras tracked citizens, showing how technology can outpace regulations and invade personal privacy. Furthermore, a study from MIT Media Lab found that facial recognition systems had error rates as high as 34.7% for dark-skinned women, highlighting the risks of unchecked technology and the potential for discrimination.

These problems are just the beginning of a much larger issue where technology often acts without moral considerations. When technology is used without regard for human rights, it can lead to a society where personal freedoms are limited and people are constantly monitored.

Machines vs. Man: The Economic Cost of Technological Advancement

Automation and AI have made many tasks easier, but they also threaten to displace millions of jobs, especially in low-skill sectors. The McKinsey Global Institute predicts that AI could add $13 trillion to the global economy by 2030, yet it also risks widening the wealth gap. For instance, automation in manufacturing could replace up to 20 million jobs by 2030, particularly in lower-income areas. This displacement creates a divide between those who can adapt to new technologies and those who cannot, further increasing economic inequality.

While technological advancement has transformed industries, it often comes at a significant social cost. Many workers find themselves struggling to adapt, and entire communities may suffer when local jobs are replaced by machines. This situation raises important questions about the future of work and how society can support those affected by these changes.

Environmental Cost: The Visible and Hidden Impact of Technological Growth

When technology serves humanity and focuses on sustainability, it can help reduce environmental harm. Renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, accounted for 83% of new global power capacity in 2022, showing a positive shift toward cleaner energy sources. However, uncontrolled technological growth can lead to major environmental damage. For instance, the UN reported that 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste were generated in 2020, with only 17.4% recycled, resulting in toxic chemicals polluting our land and water.

The environmental impact of cryptocurrency mining is another concern; Bitcoin mining uses more energy each year than some countries, showing the hidden costs of technological growth. This highlights the need for responsible practices in technology development to prevent further harm to our planet.

The Inevitability of Progress: Can We Control Technology?

Technology has historically outpaced ethical and regulatory frameworks. As we advance in AI, biotechnology, and automation, the lines between progress and potential harm can blur. The World Economic Forum estimates that over 85 million jobs could be displaced by automation by 2025, even as it might create 97 million new roles. This situation exemplifies the dual nature of technology—both an enabler and a disruptor—making it a challenge to manage its impact while benefiting from its advancements.

Ethics in Innovation: Guiding the Future of Technology

Innovation must be guided by ethical frameworks to ensure it helps humanity. As advancements reshape society, balancing human welfare with the unintended consequences of technology becomes essential. Without responsible oversight, progress risks deepening inequalities and infringing on rights. For example, AI alone could displace 85 million jobs by 2025, emphasizing the need for fair development and the creation of new opportunities.

Governments, tech developers, and society must work together to create policies that encourage innovation while protecting human dignity. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an example of ethical regulation, ensuring that data privacy remains a basic right in an increasingly digital world. Such regulations are crucial to maintaining public trust and ensuring that technology serves society as a whole.

Conclusion: Striking the Balance

Therefore, as we conclude this essay and continue to develop increasingly powerful technologies, it is essential that we maintain control over them. Only by ensuring that human ethics and responsibility guide innovation can we keep technology as a servant rather than allowing it to become a master. Technology reflects our shared ambitions and fears. If we use it wisely and thoughtfully, it has the potential to uplift humanity. However, if we do not approach it carefully, it may end up controlling us in ways we cannot foresee.

At the individual level, technology helps us by making tasks easier and more efficient. Yet, if we rely on it too much, it can become a form of addiction, reducing our independence. As the Bhagavad Gita reminds us, we must elevate ourselves through self-control rather than surrender to outside influences. This principle is essential for all of us to follow.

On a societal level, technology can promote progress by connecting people and spreading knowledge. However, without proper ethical oversight, it can deepen inequalities and spread misinformation. Neil Postman, in his book Technopoly, warns that societies risk losing their culture when they uncritically embrace technology. We must ensure that technology bridges gaps instead of widening them.

At the government level, technology can be used for governance and public welfare. However, unchecked surveillance and digital authoritarianism can threaten our civil liberties. Plato’s Republic reminds us that wise leaders must balance power with justice: "He who is not a good ruler is unfit to rule." All governments should keep this idea in mind when dealing with technology and governance.

The challenge we face is not to reject technology but to engage with it critically. We need to appreciate its benefits while remaining aware of its dangers. The future of technology should not simply be about whether it is a servant or a master but about our ability to find a balance where it serves humanity’s greatest goals.