Jacques Ellul's 1954 critique of technology gains renewed relevance amid AI proliferation

Jacques Ellul's 1954 book, recently republished in Italian, offers crucial insights as artificial intelligence spreads without political reflection, democratic decisions, or precautionary principles. The work examines humanity's surreal relationship with technology, highlighting our blindness to its essence and the alienation effects it produces. Ellul argues that delegating tasks to machines and calculation without thought creates existential and cognitive alienation. Through comprehensive analysis, the book aims to foster concrete and fundamental awareness about the technical phenomenon as a whole. This perspective becomes increasingly necessary today as technological systems expand without adequate cultural examination. The original French publication appeared in 1954, with the Italian edition arriving decades later. Lelio Demichelis and Anita Romanello introduced the republished work on April 8, 2026, emphasizing its continued relevance. The text challenges readers to confront technology's pervasive influence beyond mere instrumental use.