Choosing Our Technological Futures

Abstract

Whether it be artificial intelligence (AI) or the blockchain technology behind cryptocurrency Ponzi schemes, there is no significant public debate about the social, economic, or environmental impacts of new technologies. Rather than rely on technology assessment to judge whether a new technology is good or bad for society,  policymakers fall back on a belief that well-functioning markets will weigh benefits and costs better than research teams. The author argues that newness alone is not enough to justify letting the private sector decide what is in the public interest. The public interest is measured in more ways than just the investment returns for technology billionaires.