THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGIES IN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY

ABSTRACT

The article examines the impact of technologies on the social progress of society, exploring their role in transforming social structures, cultural norms, and interpersonal relationships. Amid the rapid advancement of information technologies and digitalization, innovations exert a significant influence on all areas of life, from the economy to education and healthcare. Particular emphasis is placed on the effect of social media, artificial intelligence, automation of labor, and digitization on social interactions and the formation of new social identities.

АННОТАЦИЯ

В статье рассматривается влияние технологий на социальный прогресс общества, исследуется их роль в трансформации социальных структур, культурных норм и межличностных отношений. В условиях стремительного развития информационных технологий и цифровизации инновации оказывают существенное влияние на все сферы жизни — от экономики до образования и здравоохранения. Особое внимание уделяется влиянию социальных сетей, искусственного интеллекта, автоматизации труда и цифровизации на социальные взаимодействия и формирование новых социальных идентичностей.

Keywords: technology, information, information society, social development, information technologies.

Ключевые слова: технология, информация, информационное общество, социальное развитие, информационные технологии.

Introduction. The concept of technology holds a dominant, system-forming role at the current stage of social development. Whereas technology was once viewed as a collection of basic techniques and considered secondary to culture, in recent decades it has become clear that the advancement of modern technogenic civilization is grounded in technological progress and linked to fundamentally new forms of human culture. The term technology originates from Greek and refers to a systematic approach to art. In other words, technology is seen as a method for accomplishing a task using specialized techniques, derived from applying a body of knowledge in specific fields.

Materials and Methods

In this study, a qualitative approach was chosen. A thorough examination of the topic was carried out using both primary and secondary sources. The research employed a document-based data collection method. The primary and secondary sources analyzed in the study were interpreted in relation to the topic, ultimately leading to the study's conclusion.

The relationship between technology and culture

University of Michigan professor Wenda Bauchspies asserts that technology encompasses tools, toys, crafts, and artworks, as well as the knowledge required to produce goods quickly and efficiently. He argues that organizational strategies, computers, and information and communication technologies (ICT) as a whole fall under the category of "technology." [7] This description makes it evident that technology arises from human life, production, and society. In other words, technology is a social phenomenon generated by society.

The renowned Russian philosopher and professor A.I. Rakitov comments on this issue: “…in its common meaning, technology refers to a collection of different operations and skills performed in a specific sequence within designated space-time intervals to achieve the intended goal.” In other words, as society develops, "technology becomes integrated into the system of social relations and activity structures... technology transforms into a factor influencing various social changes and transformations that impact different social structures and subsystems within society.” [4, p.78]

Technological society and life, or technology and culture, are mutually dependent. This synergistic connection dates back to the dawn of human history, with the invention of basic tools, and continues in modern technologies like the printing press and computers. Thus, technology and society are intricately linked, with their relationship being quite complex.

In today's world, advanced technology, resources, geography, and history contribute to building a robust economy; and in a well-functioning, resilient economy, economic surplus naturally stems from the increased utilization of technology. Furthermore, because technology is a fundamental aspect of human society, particularly in its economic dimensions, the sources of funding for (new) technological ventures are nearly limitless. While investing in technology once required little more than the time, effort, and expertise of one or a few individuals, today such investment often involves the collective labor and skills of millions of people.

The adoption of technology impacts societal values, altering both expectations and reality. At the same time, values shape the introduction of technology. Technology enables a deeper understanding of global issues, values, and cultures. The world feels more interconnected, largely due to mass transportation and mass media. Today, the world is united by trends such as:

• the globalization of ideas,
• the alignment of values,
• population growth and its management. [1, p.53]

French philosopher and sociologist Jacques Ellul is among those who argue that a life without technology is impossible for humans. He acknowledges that humanity cannot resist the drive to expand its knowledge and technological capabilities. However, he does not believe that this apparent autonomy of technology is intrinsic. While the perceived autonomy exists, it fails to fully recognize the responsibilities inherent in human-driven technological processes.

In his book Autonomous Technologies, MIT professor Langdon Winner challenges the notion that technological evolution occurs independently of individuals or societies. He contends that the apparent autonomy of technology is a result of "technological somnambulism" — the tendency of people to adopt and use new technologies uncritically, without considering their broader social and political consequences.

Technologies play a crucial role across all areas of society. They enhance the efficiency of information processes. With technological advancement, it becomes possible to model and predict the global development of both nature and society. Technologies embody a combination of scientific knowledge and practical experience that enables the rational organization of any recurring information process. This significantly reduces labor, energy, and the human and material resources required to carry out these processes. In other words, technologies are a key driver of social progress.

The significance of public administration in today's world stems from its capacity to efficiently organize and guide societal development. A high standard of living for every citizen is achievable only through the rational and proper organization of governance, particularly in the realm of modern information technologies, which are increasingly becoming essential tools for enhancing public services and ensuring transparency. [5, p.47]

French philosopher M. Foucault defined four technologies of self-awareness in his philosophical concept. First, production technologies that allow "to produce, transform or manipulate things"; second, technologies of "sign systems" that allow the use of signs, meanings and symbols; third, "technologies of power" that determine people's behavior and subordinate them "to certain goals or forces through the objectification of the subject"; fourth, these are "technologies of personality" that allow people to control their body, mind, thoughts and lifestyle, as well as transform themselves to achieve a state of happiness. [2, p.8]

Today, we are witnessing a shift in the role that technology plays in our society and how it may continue to shape future generations. In the modern world, technology is no longer just a tool for survival, but has become a means of communication and entertainment. Mass communication technologies have made it easier to connect with others. The paradox of these technologies is that, by making smartphones, computers, televisions, and similar devices our primary modes of communication, we are simultaneously becoming more distant from one another. Technology is an excellent tool that should enhance our quality of life, yet it often hinders our ability to build meaningful connections. However, at least for now, they appear to benefit society more than they harm it. All in all the long-term social impacts of modern communication technologies are still unfolding.

At present, one of the major challenges facing the modern world is the improvement of the social system. This issue is critical, as stability and progress in the social environment depend on the effective functioning of this system. The application of information technology in the social sphere offers one of the most effective solutions to this problem. These technologies are flexible, dynamic, and capable of adapting to external influences. During the modernization of the social environment, information technology serves as a fundamental pillar of society, enabling the improvement and automation of information processing—processes that have become increasingly vital in human life in recent years.

Advancements in global science have revealed that humanity is currently living in an era of "information explosion," in which the volume of knowledge accumulated by civilization doubles every 10 years. According to some projections, this doubling will occur every 5 years in the near future.

What we have recently experienced has once again demonstrated that humanity must, above all, be psychologically prepared for any challenges. We must acknowledge that the world has long been digitized, and modern information technologies now permeate every aspect of our lives. In this context, the digital revolution, also referred to as the fourth industrial revolution, marks an era of transformation driven by the advancement of computerization and modern technologies. As a result of these changes, a new social structure has emerged, known as the information society, in which knowledge has become a strategic resource, replacing capital and labor. [6, p.144]

At the current stage of development, social processes are evolving, and social structures and institutions are being refined. The key factors that shape the processes of post-industrial development include: the use of artificial intelligence, computer technologies, e-mail, telecommunications, and the Internet. The widespread adoption of technical and technological innovations leads to the emergence of distinct forms of social, political, and state development. From this perspective, the present stage of development can be characterized by a new socio-economic evolution. The global information industry is a defining feature of the modern world. Information and knowledge play a crucial role in socio-economic development, which in turn impacts human progress and helps shift one's position in the contemporary world.

The development of modern society can be viewed as a process facilitated by technological innovations, their integration into the social sphere, and the identification of socio-political opportunities and economic benefits achievable through their implementation. As a result, the formation of an information society is an inevitable outcome of scientific and technological progress and is considered a step forward in the evolution of modern civilization. Recognizing this allows us to understand that communication and information have become vital elements of technological, cultural, and social development. The advancement of technical tools has transformed information into one of the primary resources of socio-economic progress and led to changes in the activities of modern individuals. The social significance of information-related activities, which have become a central part of production and turn information into a tangible product, is growing at an accelerated pace. With the expansion of information activities, new cultural exchanges are emerging, simultaneously affecting the understanding of an individual's role within social culture.

Technological development should be viewed as a phenomenon that follows its own inherent logic. The social consequences of this development are cumulative, mutually reinforcing, and irreversible. With the rise of computerization and the widespread use of computers, institutions are increasingly required to align their operations with the opportunities and limitations it presents. In this process, society as a whole becomes more dependent on interconnected technological systems. The functionality of the technocratic system is essential for maintaining the entire social order.

Technological progress generates demands for system functionality that extend beyond basic human needs. Technological development relies on the implicit consent of individuals, who perceive each new technology as a solution to a need. In this context, we observe that contemporary individuals lack a moral, intellectual, or spiritual framework to critically assess and evaluate technologies. [3, p.249]

Conclusion. Thus, the primary factor driving the socio-cultural development of modern humans is the intellectualization and technological processes fueled by elements of technical advancement. These processes are key factors that transform human activity. Information technologies serve as the foundation for altering the organizational structures of various activities in the information society, shaping the directions of information activities, and fostering the development of the information services market.

References:

1. Abrakhmanova G.I., Kovaleva G.G. (2009) Trends in the development of information and communication technologies // Foresight, No. 4 (12). P. 44-55.
2. Foucault M. Power/Knowledge. Selected Interviews and Other Writings, 1972–1977. New York: Edited by Colin Gordon, 1980 (8)
3. Padarov S. (2002) Technocracy and its social characteristics. Social research. Scientific-analytical journal. Baku, vol. 1 (1), p. 284 (in Azerbaijan)
4. Rakitov A.I. (1991) Philosophy of the computer revolution. M., 1991. P.156
5. Talyshinsky, E. B. (2008). Public administration and information security issues. Bulletin of the Eurasian Academy of Administrative Sciences, (1), 46-52. (in Russian)
6. Talishinsky, E. (2023). Manipulation as a form of information-psychological war. Universidad y Sociedad, 15(5), 143-150.
7. Wenda K.  Bauchspies. Science, Technology, and Society: A Sociological Approach. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. 2006.