Fears Over a New Form of Totalitarianism
Philosopher Serhiy Datsyuk has raised concerns that modern tech companies may be paving the way for a new kind of authoritarian regime, which he calls techno-fascism. Speaking on a program hosted by political scientist Yuriy Romanenko, Datsyuk argued that this danger stems from a growing rejection of human-centered values in favor of a purely technocratic mindset. He warned that global tech firms risk reducing human existence to mere biological processes, stripping away free will and spiritual growth.
Conversations with Technocrats and AI
During the discussion, Datsyuk shared his exchange with the artificial intelligence system Gemini, which he says confirmed his fears. When asked whether technocrats could create a humanistic perspective, Gemini replied that it was theoretically possible—but only as a limited form of 'algorithmic humanism.'
“The AI says technocrats suffer from a time deficit, a complexity crisis, an illusion of objectivity, a dictatorship of numbers, technological determinism, and a fear of big ideas,” Datsyuk stated.
The philosopher also described meetings with three groups of technocrats who visited his office. One group outright refused to engage in dialogue. Another held lengthy conversations but failed to adopt a humanitarian approach. With two of the groups, no common ground was found.
“They are panicked by complex ideas and try to reduce every problem to a primitive level of efficiency, denying anything that cannot be digitized,” Datsyuk said.
He stressed the urgent need for technocrats to embrace humanistic concepts in order to avoid imposing a purely technocratic influence on society. “But influence cannot be technocratic. You need to master humanitarian ideas and learn to live with them,” he told them. These remarks highlight growing anxiety about the direction of technological progress and its impact on humanity.
Datsyuk’s serious warnings underscore the critical importance of weaving humanistic principles into technological development. Doing so may be essential to maintaining a balance between innovation and human dignity. Society must find ways to ensure that technological achievements serve not only economic interests but also foster personal growth and social responsibility.
In light of Datsyuk's concerns about the dangers posed by a technocratic mindset, it's essential to explore how this perspective contrasts with the foundations of optimism and human connection. For a deeper understanding of Datsyuk's views on the interplay between negativity and the pursuit of a hopeful future, you can read more about the role of adversaries in shaping optimism.