Claudie Haigneré "We No Longer Have Absolute Faith in Technological Progress"

Claudie Haigneré, the first European woman in space and former minister, shares her vision for rebuilding public trust in new technologies.

JDN. Do you see a lack of trust in new technologies?

Claudie Haigneré. For the past 25 years, I have seen a persistent skepticism toward many innovations. When I was Minister Delegate for Research and New Technologies from 2002 to 2004, I had to deal with protests against all GMOs, no matter what kind. When I served as interim administrator at Universcience in 2009, nanotechnologies sparked heated debate. Today, large water reservoirs and wind turbines are still sharply criticized. So this skepticism is nothing new.

But it wasn't expressed so strongly in the 20th century...

You're right. In the past, people were much more enthusiastic about new technologies. I'm part of the Apollo generation that was lucky enough to witness the first steps on the Moon. At that time, we saw every technological advance as progress for humanity and society. In the 21st century, it's clear that's no longer the case. We've moved away from blind faith in technological progress. And this shift has actually had some positive effects. As new technologies have evolved, we've incorporated ethical standards and requirements that are essential for the common good.

Why this skepticism toward new technologies?

Today, public discourse focuses much more on the risks of new technologies, like AI, than on their benefits. Instead, we should be highlighting what they contribute to the common good. Earth observation satellites and weather satellites are a good example: they help us understand climate change, shifts in the atmosphere or lithosphere, and allow us to anticipate negative effects. Thanks to these satellites, we can plan how to mitigate the impact of tornadoes, floods, or volcanic eruptions. And the AI embedded in these satellites will make this forecasting even more precise—proof that it serves the common good, contrary to what critics claim.

How can we restore trust in new technologies?

I prefer to talk about informed vigilance rather than trust, which can be blind. Curiosity, knowledge, and experience are necessary to know when vigilance is needed as technologies evolve, and when we can trust them. With AI, however, this vigilance is not easy to exercise, because it speaks our language and its reasoning always seems coherent. That's why it's essential to strengthen scientific literacy—through the media, science centers, and schools—to sharpen critical thinking from an early age, so people can weigh both the benefits and the risks of new technologies.

This article was automatically translated from French. Read the original version: https://www.journaldunet.com/intelligence-artificielle/1557149-nous-sommes-sortis-de-la-confiance-absolue-dans-le-progres-technologique/