Technology in the 21st century is shaping every aspect of human life like never before, from biotechnology, artificial intelligence, fusion technology to digital communication and green energy. With great power comes great responsibility, as technological progress is rapid and far-reaching, integration of ethics into technological development is necessary to ensure that innovations contribute positively to human welfare without causing unintended challenges such as privacy concerns, job displacement, ethical dilemmas in AI decision-making, and environmental impacts, to name a few.
प्रौद्योगिकी प्रगतिः सर्वसुखावहा | धर्मेण सहिता यदि स्यात् सा एव श्रेयस्करा
“Technological progress brings comfort to all; when combined with righteousness, it becomes most beneficial.”
The śloka tells us that technology’s true value is realized through its ability to make life more comfortable and align with righteous principles, ensuring that technological progress contributes positively to human welfare and is used responsibly.
Technology should be employed to promote fairness and justice and enhance our ability to make wise decisions. Access to information previously unavailable to many sections of society and the promotion of diverse perspectives can improve our understanding of the world and help us make more informed choices. Creators and the corporations must be transparent about how technologies work and the implications of their use. There should be clear lines of accountability when technologies fail to meet ethical standards or cause harm. One such great example is the deepfake technology. The technology can encourage us to face challenges with resilience, offering tools to tackle problems ranging from personal health to global environmental issues, today’s innovations should not become tomorrow’s burden. At the same time, one should recognize the importance of disconnecting and focusing on inner growth by managing one’s time on digital devices to avoid distractions and maintain mental well-being.
The way I see the Technology is neither good nor bad inherently but a necessary ride for the neverending journey of human evolution. What matters to me is how we navigate the complexities and use technology, as in today’s tech-saturated society, new developments bring both potential benefits and risks. Therefore, Policymakers and business leaders must prioritize ethical values, ensuring that as technologies evolve, they do so in ways that are just, beneficial to society, and sustainable. Only then can technology truly bring comfort to all, fulfilling its highest potential as a force for good in the world.