[THE VIEW] AI Without Explanation, the Gap Widens

A New Form of Exclusion Born from
Technology Without Explanation

We now live in an era where not knowing about AI makes you feel left behind. However, behind this dazzling discourse on technology, there exists an often-invisible sense of exclusion. People distance themselves from technology not because they fear it or are ignorant, but because they feel that the technology is irrelevant to their own lives. Technology that is not explained soon feels like someone else’s business, and people quietly place themselves outside of it.

While interfaces are becoming increasingly simple, paradoxically, the world is becoming more unfamiliar. We always talk about the convenience of technology, but the true meaning of technology depends less on how easily it can be used, and more on whether we can understand who uses it, why, and how.

The problem does not lie in the difficulty of technical terminology. Concepts like prompt engineering and multimodal input are rapidly becoming widespread, but in reality, this is a language spoken only among those already familiar with technology. The real gap arises between those who are learning technology and those who are excluded from the language of technology. The atmosphere that once allowed for questions in the face of unfamiliar technology has disappeared, and it is difficult to even find the space to ask for an explanation. As a result, users increasingly find themselves at a loss for words, and admitting "I don't know" feels like exposing oneself.

The gap in the AI era is different from the digital divide of the past. In the past, not knowing how to use a smartphone or the internet did not significantly hinder daily life. But now, lacking technological knowledge directly leads to disadvantages. This difference is becoming increasingly consequential, especially in the job market and educational environments.

Some young people preparing for employment skillfully use ChatGPT-based resume tools, portfolio automation tools, and interview question simulators to "optimize" themselves. On the other hand, those who are unaware of the existence of such tools enter the same competition already carrying invisible disadvantages, even if they are sitting in the same place. It is as if the rules of competition have been changed by AI, yet some have not even received the rulebook, but are placed on the same track.

AI-generated 'Digital Divide' graphic.

The faster digital infrastructure spreads, the more severe the lack of explanation becomes. People are thrown into "incomprehensible systems" even before they can "experience" the technology. For example, in public services, chatbot responses come before connecting to a human representative, and even making a hospital appointment is difficult without going through AI voice guidance.

When you call to resolve a civil complaint and are repeatedly told to "please use the chatbot," you begin to question who the digital transformation is really for. In the name of efficiency, human communication is gradually disappearing, and users find themselves reduced to having to adapt to technology.

The gap created by AI does not remain merely a matter of knowledge. It is, in fact, a gap in opportunity. Some people use technology to secure more possibilities, while others are left as objects to be judged and classified by technology.

In a society where those who write good prompts are seen as creative, and those who do not follow AI-recommended paths are considered inefficient, we are increasingly evaluated not by whether we can use technology, but by whether we can be interpreted by technology. The claim that technology is neutral is becoming more and more of an illusion. Instead, the core question of our time should be: for whom is technology designed?

We must now ask not only how to better utilize technology, but also who is being excluded by it. We should not only discuss the claim that anyone can use it, but also consider why some people are unable to do so. Inclusion in the AI era does not mean everyone must become a technology expert. Rather, it means that technology should be designed and explained in a way that is approachable even for first-time users.

Son Yunseok, Professor at the University of Notre Dame, USA