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The twin themes of "human centredness" and "machine intelligence" reflect AI & society 's contribution to the wider debate on "Culture and Technology". Through its 'dream of the exact language', the 'ideal of certainty', and 'rational method', machine intelligence expounds the dream of the 'symbolic man', replacing the 'natural, by the artificial'. Does the charm of the artificial lie in its characteristica universallis eluding to the supposed liberation of the individual from the realities, complexities and uncertainties of diversity? Does this charm lie in its outlining the contours of 'secular technological culture' transcending the national, cultural, linguistic and religious boundaries? Or is the 'artificial' about the celebration of the dream of the separation of the individual and the community, private and public, reason and the emotion, function and the social, work and living, technology and society? Or is it about redefining and redirecting societal issues and social agenda in terms of the culture of 'sameness' and the science of the 'one best way'?
Human centredness, on the other hand, expounds an emancipatory tradition which places human needs, purpose, skill, creativity, and human potentiality at the centre of activities of human organisations and the design of technological systems. It has broader concerns in the areas of Scientific traditions, Culture and technology, Industrial cultures, Technology transfer and Development, Globalisation, Sustainability, and Technology assessment. In this tradition, science and technology are reinforced by concepts such as diversity, human purpose, participation, equality, social responsibility, ethics, creativity and harmony. The tradition shares a common belief in shaping human structures and developing new technology for the benefit of all people and all societies.
The human centred debate can also be seen in terms of creating a 'secular technological culture' from the perspectives of advanced industrial societies. Human centredness yes but from whose perspectives? How does this tradition cater for the the diverse social and cultural traditions of various societies? How does it cope with the variety of relationships between the human, nature and machine reflected in the Eastern and Western cultures?
AI & Society is interested in hearing from people who would like to participate in the debate on Culture and Technology. We welcome contributions on the themes of Culture and technology and also welcome suggestions for new themes. We are also looking for people who may be interested in reviewing books or other publications (such as video, films) for the AI & Society journal. AI & Society is starting a new section "REFLECTIONS" as part of its Open Forum Section. "Reflections" will cover personal viewpoints, experiences, visions and ideas about the progress and direction of science and technology.
Forthcoming Themes
* The Models and Methodologies of Human Centred Systems Design
* Culture and Technology
* Industrial Cultures and Technology
* Culture of the artificial
* Scientific and intellectual traditions
* Technology, ethics and human values
* Equality, Development and Technology
* New World Order, Globalisation, and Technology
References:
Gill, KS (ed), Artificial Intelligence For Society, Wiley & Sons, 1986
Goranzon B & Florin F (eds), Dialogue and Technology, Springer-Verlag, 1991
Negrotti, M (ed) Understanding the Artificial, Springer-Verlag, 1990
Rosenbrock, HH (ed) Designing Human Centred Technology: A Cross
disciplinary project in Computer-Aided Design, .Springer-Veralg, 1989
Karamjit S Gill
Editor