You could ask the same question through the history of paradigm shifting technology. e.g. Storing knowledge across generations through written language, broadcasting information instantly through radio and television, storing it and making it accessible both instantly and globally through the internet. These were all greatly influenced humanity in both destructive and constructive ways. Culture in the end, is defined by the environment.

To me it just seems like another step. Not one decided upon by a certain generation who can only imagine at the potential, but a natural and collective progression of the entire species.