Ethics in Technology

Study Notes

Responsibility: Tech developers and users have a responsibility to ensure tech is used for the betterment of society.
Privacy: Balancing individual privacy with the need for data collection and usage.
Bias: AI systems can perpetuate and amplify existing biases, leading to unfair outcomes.
Job displacement: Automation can lead to job losses, exacerbating social and economic inequalities.
Environmental impact: The production, usage, and disposal of tech devices can harm the environment.

Hardware: Physical components of computers and devices, such as processors, memory, and storage.
Software: Programs and operating systems that run on hardware, including applications and utilities.
Networks: Connections between devices, enabling communication and data transfer, such as internet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
Data analytics: Tools and methods for extracting insights and patterns from data, including machine learning and AI.
Cybersecurity: Measures to protect devices, networks, and data from unauthorized access, use, or attack.

Industrial Revolution: Mechanization and mass production (18th-19th centuries) paved the way for modern tech development.
Computer age: Invention of the electronic computer (20th century) enabled rapid calculation and data processing.
Internet and web: Global networking and information sharing (late 20th century) transformed communication and access to knowledge.
Mobile and IoT: Widespread adoption of mobile devices and internet-connected devices (21st century) has enabled ubiquitous computing and sensing.
AI and machine learning: Development of intelligent systems that can learn, reason, and act autonomously (ongoing).

Tech developers and users must ensure tech is used for the betterment of society, considering the consequences of their actions.
There is a need to balance individual privacy with data collection and usage for various purposes.
AI systems can perpetuate and amplify existing biases, leading to unfair outcomes, such as discrimination in decision-making.
Automation can lead to job losses, exacerbating social and economic inequalities, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The production, usage, and disposal of tech devices have a significant environmental impact, contributing to pollution and waste.

Hardware components include processors, memory, and storage, which are the physical parts of computers and devices.
Software consists of programs and operating systems that run on hardware, including applications and utilities that enable specific tasks.
Networks refer to connections between devices, enabling communication and data transfer through mediums like the internet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
Data analytics involves using tools and methods to extract insights and patterns from data, including machine learning and AI techniques.
Cybersecurity measures protect devices, networks, and data from unauthorized access, use, or attack, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.

The Industrial Revolution (18th-19th centuries) introduced mechanization and mass production, laying the groundwork for modern tech development.
The invention of the electronic computer (20th century) enabled rapid calculation and data processing, revolutionizing computing.
The advent of the internet and web (late 20th century) transformed communication and access to knowledge, enabling global networking and information sharing.
The widespread adoption of mobile devices and internet-connected devices (21st century) has enabled ubiquitous computing and sensing, shaping modern lifestyles.
The ongoing development of AI and machine learning is focused on creating intelligent systems that can learn, reason, and act autonomously, with significant implications for various fields.

Technology refers to scientific knowledge used in practical ways in industry, such as designing new machines.

Technology is applicable in language teaching and learning, e.g., designing platforms like Google Classroom, Coursera, Moodle, and web-based applications like Wordwall, Quizziz, and Kahoot.

Technology is changing at an unstoppable rate, affecting how we exchange information, connect, and learn.
Example: shift from using SMS and telephones to emails, chat applications, and social media.

In the past, students relied on printed books and photocopied worksheets to complete tasks.
Students today can use web pages or apps to answer questions and complete worksheets, with the option to type their writing or let the computer do the typing.

The author considers themselves an "old-school product" with limited exposure to digital technology, making it intimidating to teach digitally literate students.