Technophobia is a fear of technology, particularly new or emerging technologies. A strong contrast to this mindset can be seen in modern-day Japanese society, which demonstrates technophilia in its development and rapid adoption rate of new technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence.
HAL is a fictional homicidal sentient computer and artificial intelligence, the primary antagonist in Arthur C. Clarke's Space Odyssey series. HAL was most notably portrayed in the film 2001, which has held a lasting cultural impact on American society. HAL's example is oft-referenced in context of the possible dangers of runaway technology, one of the existential risks of the technological singularity.
