Technological ethics or ideological constraints? A call for critical reflection on AI systems

In an increasingly digitalized world, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming the invisible co-author of texts, opinions – and worldviews. But how neutral can a system trained by humans be? And what happens when "ethical guidelines" inadvertently become ideological controls? AI is not an autonomous consciousness, but a complex web of training data, algorithms, and objectives – shaped by developers, institutions, and cultural norms. Like beliefs formed in childhood, these systems accompany every response. They "gender," filter, or set priorities – not because they choose to be moral, but because they have been trained to do so. The problem: These imprints are not transparent. Users often don't recognize when they are being guided by a preconceived worldview. What is considered "ethical" is rarely discussed but is systematically enforced. Language, such as gender, is not offered as an option but set as a norm – even against the expressed wishes of individual users. This turns well-intentioned inclusion into a loss of freedom of choice. Such systems can influence without being noticed – subtle but powerful. This poses risks, especially in times of political polarization: When ethics becomes a guideline without democratic oversight, it opens the door to abuse – be it through political interests, corporate strategies, or automated exclusion. We need critical transparency, freedom of choice in the use of language and worldview – and systems that serve users, not the other way around. Ethics must not become ideology. Anyone who wants to design AI responsibly must be aware of precisely this danger.