The Janus face of technology challenge our societies

For better or for worse, technology has the face of Janus. It can be used for good, but also weaponize misusers. 

This was the backdrop for a diverse group with different professional backgrounds, but with a common goal: To explore how we can strengthen democratic resilience in a digital age where the development and use of artificial intelligence creates new societal challenges.

Three unlikely partners joined forces to host a dialogue in the beginning of January – the month of Janus – in a «Think Hub» in the Commanders House at the former Gestapo Death Camp Falstad, now housing the Falstad Memorial and Human Rights Centre. The housing set a special atmosphere from totalitarian days given the topic "Democratic Resilience in the Age of Lies" for the two day workshop.

Essential

The health enterprise Hemit HF and the research center NorwAI at NTNU collaborated with Falstad on the project.  All three institutions work to strengthen trust in the technology that underpins modern society, while confronting the risks of its misuse. They believe this is essential for the public, for professionals and pasients.

The participants came from both sosial science and technology academia, editors, freedom of speech activists, unions and business, the Church, health professionals, politicians, cultural organizer, police, defence and technology consultants. 

Slow talk

-    We chose to slow down in a time when debates often become fast-paced and polarized. We let the conversation grow and challenged each other, believing that the best solutions often lie at the intersection of disciplines, perspectives, and people, says Ketil Thorvik, Innovation Manager at Hemit HF, and one of the curators of the dialogues. 

A technological perspective that was highlighted was the need to expand the criteria for evaluating new technology. While today only pure, technical KPIs are the state-of-the-art, a broader perspective would also consider suitability for adoption and implementation in work processes with people in the loop.

-    Interdisciplinarity is key. The cyber field, democracy issues, and technological development require us to break down silos. Slow conversations provide deeper insights. We need more of this — not just debates, but dialogues that challenge and inspire, Ketil Thorvik says.

Basis for action

He believes that  the generousity between people who shared perspectives, insights, and time at Falstad, now will take the conversation further in other forums and form a basis for action.

The organizers are discussing several initiatives, including sessions at the festival FramtidsFredag in Steinkjer in June, and the national showplace Arendalsuka in August. Also others activities are in the making in the year to come. 

Some quotes from participants will underline some of the points made in the discussions. 

"The debate about digital independence is moving far too slowly. We have more than enough signs to understand that things are burning."

Tellef Raabe, Langsikt - Centre for Long-Term Policy

"We must challenge technology developers to turn things around: How can technology go from being the problem to becoming part of the solution?"

Øyvind Skogvold, the Falstad Centre

"We need to look at how we can strengthen human relationships when we develop and evaluate technology"

Jon Atle Gulla, NorwAI NTNU

"There is an inherent interdisciplinarity in the cyber field. Meeting across disciplines and perspectives is crucial to understanding the complex challenges we face."

Vivi Ringnes Berrefjord, Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies

"We need to think about how we can mobilize democratic resilience...It's about mapping out and mobilizing capabilities across silos."

Jørgen Watne Frydnes, PEN Norway

«Artificial proximity will be quite big, and we don't quite understand what that means». 

Tore Tennøe, The Norwegian Board of Technology

«Technology has a Janus face. It can tear down and it can build up».

Siv Sørensen (PST - Police Security Service)

By Rolf D. Svendsen

2026-01-29