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Questions and Answers
Why are human social systems complex?
Cause and effect are not necessarily closely related in time and space.
Which of the following are examples of wicked problems? (Select all that apply)
Most economic, environmental, and political issues are considered wicked problems.
True
What is the Cobra Effect?
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What does Goodhart's Law state?
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What does Campbell’s Law suggest?
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What is the IEEE Ethically Aligned Design?
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Study Notes
Complexity of Human Social Systems
- Human social systems exhibit complexity due to the loosely connected causal relationships in time and space; solutions to previous problems can inadvertently create new issues.
- Wicked problems are prevalent in social contexts, contrasting tame problems which are more straightforward; examples include:
- Global Climate Change
- Sustainable Development
- Terrorism
- Social Injustice
- Poverty
- Drug Trafficking
Mental Models and Perception
- Mental models influence how individuals understand social phenomena and interpret outcomes; intuitively accepted conclusions can mask deeper complexities.
- A significant study involving 600,000 WWII servicemen revealed that rural soldiers often had better morale than their urban counterparts, highlighting differing adaptability to military life.
- The manifestation of opposing views appearing equally obvious challenges the validity of assumptions and reinforces the need for critical analysis.
Fitting Reality to Models
- Misalignment between personal experiences and standardized expectations can lead to awkward or inefficient outcomes, illustrated by a tailor's ill-fitting suit.
- Acceptance of flawed adjustments to fit models can distort perceived reality, affecting social behaviors and judgments.
The Law of Unintended Consequences
- Social reforms often produce unexpected outcomes, exemplified by the Cobra Effect during the British Raj, where incentives to reduce cobra populations led to increased numbers due to profit-driven exploitation of the bounty system.
Campbell's and Goodhart's Laws
- Campbell’s Law warns that quantitative indicators used for social decision-making become vulnerable to corruption, distorting their intended monitoring purpose.
- Goodhart’s Law states that once a measure is targeted for improvement, it loses its reliability as an accurate representation of what it aimed to monitor.
Technological Ethics
- Ethical considerations are essential to ensure technology does not cause harm; frameworks for ethical design in Autonomous and Intelligent Systems (A/IS) have been established.
- Notable ethical guidelines include those from the IEEE and the EU Commission, emphasizing the importance of trustworthiness and accountability in AI technologies.
Conclusion
- Critical engagement with technology is crucial to prevent it from becoming harmful; understanding the complexities of social systems and ethical standards will guide better outcomes in the deployment of technological solutions.
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Description
This quiz explores the complexity of human social systems and the ethical considerations surrounding Autonomous and Intelligent Systems (A/IS). Participants will delve into the causes and effects influencing these systems and discuss the importance of a code of ethics in technology implementation. Engage understandings of social complexity through a technological lens.
