Data1100 Lecture 3 (Computer) Ethics PDF

DATA1100 Technology and Society for Programmers Lecture 3 (Computer) Ethics Ole Sneltvedt  Agenda Part 1: 1. What is Ethics, and why should know what it is? 2. Normative Ethics Deontology Utilitarianism Virtue Ethics 3. Practical/Applied Ethics 4. Computer Ethi...

DATA1100 Technology and Society for Programmers Lecture 3 (Computer) Ethics Ole Sneltvedt  Agenda Part 1: 1. What is Ethics, and why should know what it is? 2. Normative Ethics Deontology Utilitarianism Virtue Ethics 3. Practical/Applied Ethics 4. Computer Ethics Relevance What is Computer Ethics? Computer as Neutral Tool, or Embedded Values Computer Programmers, Ethics and Challenges Part 2: Case Discussions  What is Ethics: “the discipline dealing with what is good and bad or right and wrong or with moral duty and obligation.” The study of what is right and wrong The evaluation of how people act. Thinking about moral phenomenon, how to act in certain situations involving difficult choices. Often involving ethical systems, attempts at consistency based on a fundamental ethical principle. Not the same as mores or cultural norms, but related.  Why Ethics? Pros and Cons ”Computer programmers work with technology. Ethical issues should be left to philosophers and politicians” - Politicians and philosophers know little about technology. Hence, challenges and problems go unnoticed. Technologists have a responsibility to raise concerns. - As technology takes a larger role in society, more people with technological insight should become engaged in politics, and perhaps philosophy.  Why Ethics? Pros and Cons ”All people have ethical concerns. There is no need to teach ethics specifically to computer programmers” - Most people can speak and write, does this imply that education should abandon all training in oral presentation or writing? - Learning about ethics raises awareness of ethical issues. It sends a signal regarding the importance of ethics in your profession. - Once you have a full-time job, it might be hard to find time to educate yourselves.  Ethics? Pros and Cons “The industry probably do not want people that ask critical questions and reflect about ethical issues, they want people that fit in and gets the job done” - Feedback from the industry is the opposite. They want people that ask critical questions and encourage ethical reflection. (but are they telling the truth?) - Candidates should be able to fit into the job market. But, OUR main responsibility as a University is not what the industry wants, but what society needs! Ethics  Ethics the discipline dealing with what is: - good and bad - or right and wrong - or with moral duty and obligation  Ethics Three types: - Normative Ethics - Applied(Practcal) Ethics - Metaethics  Normative Ethics Deontology: Duty ethics, rule oriented Utilitarianism: Consequence ethics, goal oriented Virtue ethics: Exemplary, what would…do? Deontology/ Rule Ethics Deontology/ Rule Ethics Utilitarianism: Best consequences Utilitarianism: Utility ethics  Virtue Ethics This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA Virtue Ethics Virtue Ethics: Internal vs. External Goods This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC  Applied/Practical Ethics This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA Computer Ethics Your future employers want candidates What you need in your education: with: (DATA3900 Bachelor Thesis) The student is capable of: Strong basic programming skills cooperating in groups in big IT-projects The ability to work in teams and have professional communication both orally good «soft skills.» and in writing Ethical awareness and critical thinking evaluate ethical - or privacy concerns in projects UHR-MNT: Nasjonale retningslinjer for ingeniørutdanning For «Forskrift om rammeplan for ingeniørutdanning» fastsatt 18. mai 2018 Amruth N. Kumar,et.al 2024. Computer Science Curricula 2023. Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA. A computer science graduate must be committed to the whole solution: not just to the technical aspects but also to issues of the society, ethics, and the profession….To that end, a graduate must: Demonstrate knowledge of a code of ethics and conduct appropriate for computing professionals (e.g., ACM , AAAI , or IEEE ) and commitment to abide by such a code.56 Demonstrate awareness of responsibilities beyond those captured in a professional code (e.g., global and cultural competence and the priorities and impact of local values and practices across the world). Work to maximize the benefits of computing for the society at large while preventing harm to individuals. Amruth N. Kumar,et.al 2024. Computer Science Curricula 2023. Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA.  What is computer ethics? “The mark of a basic problem in computer ethics is one in which computer technology is essentially involved and there is an uncertainty about what to do and even about how to understand the situation.” “What is Computer Technology” James H. Moor, Metaphilosophy, Vol. 16, No. 4, October 1985  What is computer ethics? Practical type of ethics? Virtue Ethics? Rule based ethics? Utilitarian? Computer Ethics as a practical type of ethics  Computer Ethics as Virtue Ethics This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC Computer Ethics as Rule Ethics Computer Ethics Institute, 1992  Computer Ethics as Rule Ethics ACM «Code of conduct»1 «Computing professionals' actions change the world. To act responsibly, they should reflect upon the wider impacts of their work, consistently supporting the public good.» 1.2 Avoid harm 1.3 Be honest and trustworthy 1.4 Be fair and take action not to discriminate 1.5 Respect the work required to produce new ideas, inventions, creative works, and computing artifacts. 1.6 Respect privacy 2.2 Maintain high standards of professional competence, conduct, and ethical practice 2.7 Foster public awareness and understanding of computing, related technologies, and their consequences 3.1 Ensure that the public good is the central concern during all professional computing work 1 https://www.acm.org/code-of-ethics https://www.nito.no/contentassets/d b24bd06c0ec446384162ad5b2229ff 8/nito-etikk-for-ingeniorer-og- teknologer-2021-hefte.pdf What is so special about computers? Speed/reflex behavior What is so special about computers? Speed/reflex behavior Storage/privacy What is so special about computers? Speed/reflex behavior Storage/privacy Interna8onality What is so special about computers? Speed/reflex behavior Storage/privacy Internationality Copying/stealing What is so special about computers? Speed/reflex behavior Storage/privacy Internationality Copying/stealing Privacy Cyberwar AI in Warfare Etc.  Computers: Neutrality vs. Embedded values Could there be an ethics of computer systems separate from the ethics of using computer systems? Are computers merely neutral tools, or do they have built-in consequences and values? Responsibility of computer programmers as users and/or developers? Brey, Philip. “Values in Technology and Disclosive Computer Ethics.” Chapter. In The Cambridge Handbook of Information and Computer Ethics, edited by Luciano Floridi, 41–58. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010.  Computer programmers and ethics If computers cannot make ethical considerations, you must do so! However: Transparency: there is too much data and too many black boxes “Overtrust” in computing systems and automation bias Problem of the many hands—who is responsible in the end? Moral Complacency: abdicating responsibility Computer programmers as “moral crumple zone” absorbing moral responsibility when things go wrong. Kaas, M.H.L. The perfect technological storm: artificial intelligence and moral complacency. Ethics Inf Technol 26, 49 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-024-09788-0 CASES  Summary Part 1: Ethics: the discipline dealing with what is good and bad or right and wrong or with moral duty and obligation.” Pros and Cons: ”Computer programmers work with technology. Ethical issues should be left to philosophers and politicians” ”All people have ethical concerns. There is no need to teach ethics specifically to computer programmers” “The industry probably do not want people that ask critical questions and reflect about ethical issues, they want people that fit in and gets the job done” Normative Ethics Deontology: Duty ethics, rule oriented Utilitarianism: Consequence ethics, goal oriented Virtue ethics: Exemplary, what would…do?  Summary Part 1: Practical Ethics: Deals with difficult moral questions and controversial moral issues that people actually face in their lives.Not a system, but a case-by-case reflection. Computer Ethics: What is the educational goal? What is Computer Ethics? A practical, virtue based, rule based or utilitarian type? Do Computers make ethical reflection necessary? Are Computers neutral tools, or do they have embedded values What is your role in all of this? CASES CASES CASES CASES CASES Concrete wall that will kill the driver  AGI: Artificial General Intelligence Tesla Optimus Future of Humanity Time Portal You CASES CASES CASES CASES CASES