Are we master of Siri, or vice versa?

Tools help us save time, freeing up mental space so we can accomplish more. But, the assistance of technological tools can become problematic, suggests Professor Eduard Arriaga-Arango, chair of the Department of Language, Literature, and Culture. We expect devices like Alexa and Siri to respond to our every command, which, he says, can replicate human slavery.

“Slavery is a structure that considers human beings machines, or less than human,” says Arriaga, who cautions people to think intentionally about their use of technology. “We think we’re just inputting prompts, getting the results, and nothing more. But what are all the implications of that?”

As artificial intelligence enters the mainstream, Arriaga is part of a growing discussion about the ethics surrounding the language we use with technological tools.

“Language has a set of values,” he says. “What values are behind the construction of these tools, which have been designed in a way that continues to perpetuate deficit elements from our society — racism and a patriarchal vision?”

Challenge. Change. is produced by Melissa Hanson for Clark University. Listen and subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Find other episodes wherever you listen to podcasts.

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