Module C: Historical perspective – Introduction, literature review, and rationale

Module C of the Toolkit has two primary objectives:
First, to understand AI and big data within the context of a long history of interactions between technological affordances and cultural norms, values, and practices. This recognises that knowledge technologies—such as written language, the printing press, television, radio, etc.—have shaped culture and knowledge production. The relationship between technology and culture is fundamentally mutual and reciprocal.
Second, building upon the first objective, Module C focuses on the particular definition of AI and big data as advanced knowledge technologies (AKTs). We analyse the past in this module to better understand the present and—potentially—to anticipate what may lie ahead.
Key Questions Addressed
The literature review specifically addresses three fundamental points:
1.        Knowledge technologies versus information technologies: Why do we discuss knowledge technologies rather than information technologies? What is the distinction, and why do we prioritise knowledge over information?
2.        The value of historical perspective: Why do we value a historical perspective? What is the rationale for examining the past and for contextualising AI and big data within the long history of knowledge technologies?
3.        Cultural processes at the heart of investigation: Why is it important to place cultural processes at the centre of any investigation into AI and big data?