Digital Habitus: A Critique of the Imaginaries of Artificial Intelligence

This book explores the causes and effects of digital technologies and imaginaries on self-interpretation and subjectivation, arguing that they are formidable habitus machines that offer personalized services but are indifferent to individuals and their personalities. It connects this to the "empirical turn" in philosophy of technology and emphasizes the symbolic conditions of possibility in which technological artifacts are always embedded.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 19 July 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking book offers a novel theoretical framework for understanding the profound impact of digital technologies and the associated imaginaries on the processes of self-interpretation and subjectivation. It presents three central theses that shed light on the intricate relationship between these technologies and our understanding of ourselves.

Firstly, the book argues that contemporary digital technologies, driven by advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and vast amounts of data, have evolved into formidable habitus machines. These machines offer increasingly personalized services, but it is crucial to recognize that they operate with a profound indifference to individuals and their unique personalities. They function as impersonal tools that classify and categorize social interactions based on patterns and algorithms, rather than considering the intricacies of human experiences and emotions.

Secondly, the book emphasizes that the effectiveness of these habitus machines extends beyond their concrete capacity to classify the social world. It hinges on the cultural habitus, a worldview or world picture, that we have developed concerning these technologies and their potential. This cultural habitus shapes our expectations, hopes, fears, and imaginaries about the role of AI in our societies. It leads us to believe in the concrete effectiveness of AI and its potential for shaping our future.

Thirdly, the author takes a Bourdieusian notion of habitus and connects it to the current "empirical turn" in philosophy of technology. He argues that many philosophers of technology have focused too narrowly on the things themselves, neglecting the symbolic conditions of possibility in which single technological artifacts are always embedded. By examining these symbolic conditions, the book provides a deeper understanding of the ways in which digital technologies shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.

Digital Habitus is a valuable resource for scholars and students engaged in the fields of philosophy of technology, ethics of artificial intelligence, media studies, and science and technology studies. It offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complex dynamics between digital technologies, culture, and our subjective experiences. Through its insightful theses and rigorous analysis, the book provides a roadmap for navigating the ethical and societal implications of our increasingly digital world.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032509648