How neutral can technology be?

Abstract

Is technology amoral? Is design value‐laden but code neutral? While philosophers, technologists, science and technology studies (STS) scholars, and social critics continue to debate whether or not information technologies are neutral and an autonomous force acting independently of other social processes, these discussions are only marginally addressed in Information studies. Yet, discussing these issues is of compelling importance for the training of the next generation of information professionals. The differing assumptions and values about the social nature of technology have implications for research and practice, and are of compelling importance from an ethics, design, policymaking and globalization perspective. This panel will address the varying approaches (e.g., instrumental theory of technology versus more interpretive approaches) and discuss the implications of technological (non) neutrality in a variety of settings, including ubiquitous computing, health care technologies, digital library development, and others.