Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which risk zone primarily addresses the manipulation of information and the spread of untruths?
Which risk zone primarily addresses the manipulation of information and the spread of untruths?
What might be a consequence of unchecked surveillance technologies on citizens?
What might be a consequence of unchecked surveillance technologies on citizens?
What is one strategy to mitigate ethical risks in technology development?
What is one strategy to mitigate ethical risks in technology development?
Which of the following is NOT a suggested question for assessing surveillance risks?
Which of the following is NOT a suggested question for assessing surveillance risks?
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Which risk zone addresses the imbalance and disparities in wealth and resources?
Which risk zone addresses the imbalance and disparities in wealth and resources?
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How can ethical considerations be integrated into business practices?
How can ethical considerations be integrated into business practices?
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What is a potential risk of data collection that tracks users throughout their lives?
What is a potential risk of data collection that tracks users throughout their lives?
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What can organizations do to keep ethical issues prominent in their workplace?
What can organizations do to keep ethical issues prominent in their workplace?
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What is the primary focus of ethics in relation to technology?
What is the primary focus of ethics in relation to technology?
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Which of the following best defines deontology as an ethical framework?
Which of the following best defines deontology as an ethical framework?
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In consequentialism, what determines the moral worth of an action?
In consequentialism, what determines the moral worth of an action?
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What can be a potential conflict in ethics within organizations?
What can be a potential conflict in ethics within organizations?
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What is a key characteristic of utilitarianism?
What is a key characteristic of utilitarianism?
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Why is ethics considered important in the context of technology?
Why is ethics considered important in the context of technology?
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Which statement about ethical principles is accurate?
Which statement about ethical principles is accurate?
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How do ethical theories generally function in decision-making?
How do ethical theories generally function in decision-making?
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What is a key distinction made by deontological theories?
What is a key distinction made by deontological theories?
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In ethical dilemmas, how do we process the situation according to the content?
In ethical dilemmas, how do we process the situation according to the content?
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What is a significant aspect of the trolley problem in relation to autonomous vehicles?
What is a significant aspect of the trolley problem in relation to autonomous vehicles?
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What is a potential negative consequence of the application related to user data?
What is a potential negative consequence of the application related to user data?
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What does agency pertain to in the context of ethics?
What does agency pertain to in the context of ethics?
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Which of these aspects could potentially make people’s relationship with food more difficult?
Which of these aspects could potentially make people’s relationship with food more difficult?
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What is required when considering the ethical launch of a project, such as veg-enough?
What is required when considering the ethical launch of a project, such as veg-enough?
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What ethical approach can help in identifying and avoiding unintended consequences?
What ethical approach can help in identifying and avoiding unintended consequences?
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Which of the following statements reflects a positive consequence of the application's use?
Which of the following statements reflects a positive consequence of the application's use?
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What roles are considered in a deontological analysis of an ethical dilemma?
What roles are considered in a deontological analysis of an ethical dilemma?
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What defines the actions of software engineers in a trolley problem scenario?
What defines the actions of software engineers in a trolley problem scenario?
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What could diminish the privacy of users when using the application?
What could diminish the privacy of users when using the application?
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What is an essential factor in evaluating the consequences of a project release?
What is an essential factor in evaluating the consequences of a project release?
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What is one of the three critical questions to answer regarding ethical risks?
What is one of the three critical questions to answer regarding ethical risks?
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How might the application limit access to health insurance for users?
How might the application limit access to health insurance for users?
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What is the significance of recognizing ethical dilemmas in technology development?
What is the significance of recognizing ethical dilemmas in technology development?
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Study Notes
Identifying and Analysing Ethical Issues
- The presentation covers ethical issues in 7COM2001 Responsible Technology.
- Aims of the session:
- To provide a systematic approach to identifying ethical issues.
- To introduce ethical theories.
- To consider ethical issues as a risk factor.
Why is Ethics Important?
- Ethical considerations help determine if actions are good or bad.
- Computer scientists and technologists have a significant societal impact, therefore a responsibility to consider the impact of their work.
Ethics
- Ethics are moral principles guiding behaviour and activities. Decisions are made voluntarily.
- Ethical behaviour is distinct from legal behaviour.
- Ethical considerations can be personal, organizational, or governmental.
- Personal ethics can conflict with corporate or governmental ethics.
Systems of Ethics
- Ethical theories provide frameworks for ethical decision-making.
- Two approaches considered:
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Deontology: Focuses on duties and obligations; e.g., a doctor not performing euthanasia.
- Distinguishes between actions (causing harm) and inactions (not preventing harm).
- Considers intention and outcome.
- Examples: Social contract theory (obeying rules if others do).
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Consequentialism: Focuses on the consequences of actions; e.g., software updates.
- Moral worth is determined solely by its consequences.
- Examples: Utilitarianism (maximizing overall well-being).
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Deontology: Focuses on duties and obligations; e.g., a doctor not performing euthanasia.
Ethical Dilemmas – Trolley Problem
- The trolley problem is a thought experiment, not a real-world situation. Involves ethical considerations regarding autonomous vehicles.
- It raises consequentialist (maximizing well-being) versus deontological (duty-based) considerations.
- The problem: A human driver responds by reflex. Software engineers have time to consider the best response.
Consequence Scanning
- A method for identifying unintended consequences.
- Key areas of focus to consider:
- Intended vs unintended consequences,
- Positive consequences,
- Consequences to mitigate risks.
Two Approaches
- Consequence scanning by doteveryone.
- Ethical OS toolkit from the Institute for the Future and Omidyar Network.
Three Questions to Answer
- What are the intended and unintended consequences of a feature/product?
- What are the positive consequences to consider in the design?
- What are the negative consequences we want to mitigate regarding the ethical implications.
Ethical OS Risk Zones
- These risk zones outline potential ethical risks, including:
- Truth, misinformation, propaganda.
- Addiction, dopamine economy.
- Economic inequality, asset inequality
- Machine ethics, algorithmic biases, Surveillance State.
- Data control, monetization.
- Implicit trust, user understanding.
- Hateful and criminal actors.
Mitigating Ethical Risks
- Methods to mitigate ethical risks:
- Involve ethical principles early in the design process.
- Create a checklist or a system for consequence scanning.
- Engage with ethical experts, consult resources, and communicate risk concerns.
Embedding Ethical Considerations
- Including ethics in engineering processes, similar to accessibility.
- Using tools like the Ethical OS toolkit.
- Avoiding easy justification, engaging in real and thorough analysis.
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Description
This quiz explores ethical issues in the context of 7COM2001 Responsible Technology. It covers systematic approaches to identifying ethical dilemmas, introduces key ethical theories, and emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in technological impacts. Participants will examine personal, organizational, and governmental ethics as part of their learning.