Efficiency Versus Creativity as Organizing Principles of Socio-Technical Systems: Why Do We Build (Intelligent) Systems? [Commentary]

Considering the vigorous drive to insert ever more artificial intelligence (AI) enabled technology into modern societies - from household appliances and personal assistants to business planning and guidance systems - it seems urgent to ensure that the kinds of AI we develop and deploy provide useful tools in the service of humanity, rather than constraining frameworks to limit humanity. In other words, we need "AI for humanity", rather than humanity for AI; or, "human centered AI" rather than "function oriented AI". This challenge is hardly confined to the AI domain. It extends to most computer-based systems, and, indeed, to all technology. This article aims to bring to the fore: the implicit values behind current technological developments - mostly efficiency-driven; the potential negative impacts of unquestioned technological developments and usage - e.g., the totalizing supremacy of quantity over quality; alternative ways of developing and adopting technology - e.g., as tools rather than controllers; and the necessity to permanently analyze, evaluate and alter technical systems during development, before adoption, and as their side effects become obvious. It also aims to emphasise that criticizing certain kinds of technologies is not at all equivalent to being technophobe, or against progress. That would be like equating a critique of fast food to an unnatural stance against eating. Finally, technical developments cannot be considered in isolation. They are a key part of a self-promoting system of market-driven production and sociopolitical transformation.