In a society dominated by digital advancements, it may be surprising that age-old philosophical ideas is influencing our contemporary digital landscape. From AI ethics to the very nature of human existence in a virtual reality, classic philosophical inquiries are still highly relevant today. The connection between technology and philosophy is creating a new kind of dialogue, and understanding this interaction is key to thriving in our increasingly tech-driven lives.
One of the most interesting areas where philosophy is relevant is in the ethics of AI. As technologies become more intelligent and independent, AI engineers are looking towards principles of ethics inspired by minds like Aristotle, Kant, and others to shape the behaviour of algorithms. These classical ethical ideas help tech experts make decisions about justice, right and wrong, and moral obligations in AI systems. Additionally, discussions around the ethics of data use, identity in digital environments, and the implications of surveillance are deeply rooted in philosophy at their core, reflecting discussions raised centuries ago about the nature of self and social structures.
But philosophy’s role in modern tech goes past questions of morality. Classical philosophers have long explored the nature of reality, and now virtual reality is challenging those very concepts. What does it mean to "exist" in a world where we can build virtual selves? Are our interactions in a virtual space less real than those in the physical world? These questions, once the domain skincare philosophy of metaphysical thought, are becoming central to discussions about the future of technology. By exploring philosophy, we can gain deeper insights into the role of tech and how they affect our perception of existence.