Professional Ethics Lecture 1 PDF

Professional Ethics Lecture - 1 1 Course Details Course Title Professional Ethics Credit Hours 2 [2+0] Course Type COMPULSORY Course for Thesis Semester Fall 2024 Preferred Semester Any...

Professional Ethics Lecture - 1 1 Course Details Course Title Professional Ethics Credit Hours 2 [2+0] Course Type COMPULSORY Course for Thesis Semester Fall 2024 Preferred Semester Any 2 Assessment Criteria Assessment Number Weight Research Element 1 40% Mid Term 1 20% Final 1 40% 3 Coursera Course Ethics in the Age of AI Specialization https://www.coursera.org/programs/computing-v5cbo/specializations/ethics- in-ai 4 Contents Profession Fundamental characteristics of a profession Structure of the computing profession Ethics Professional Ethics Ethical issues of Computer Science Professional codes of conduct Profession According to Oxford Dictionary: “A paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification”. According to Cambridge Dictionary: “Any type of work that needs special training or a particular skill, often one that is respected because it involves a high level of education“. Profession A formal education or qualification refers to obtaining a degree by attending a college or university. Learning a trade from someone else constitutes informal education, which can be acquired alongside formal education. It is possible to possess both types of education. Employers generally prefer formal education because it can be easily verified. Obtaining a degree in a particular field indicates possessing relevant knowledge, which in turn leads to better-paying job opportunities and ensures that the hiring company receives a qualified candidate. Profession An informal education is what many people end up having. You work under someone who has a degree or has been doing it for enough years to be knowledgeable about the subject. Many car mechanics and other "trade” skills usually have an informal education as to what they’re doing. Informal education can also be referred to as life experience. After going through life for so many years, you’ll naturally acquire some knowledge about different things that you may not even learn after going through a formal education. Fundamental characteristics of a profession Great Responsibility Professionals deal in matters of vital importance to their clients and are therefore entrusted with great responsibilities and obligations. Given these essential obligations, professional work typically involves circumstances where carelessness, inadequate skill, or breach of ethics would be significantly damaging to the client and/or his fortunes. 9 Fundamental characteristics of a profession Accountability Professionals hold themselves ultimately accountable for the quality of their work with the client. The profession may or may not have mechanisms in place to reinforce and ensure adherence to this principle among its members. 10 Fundamental characteristics of a profession Based on specialized, theoretical knowledge Professionals render specialized services based on theory, knowledge, and skills that are characteristic of their profession and generally beyond the understanding or capability of those outside of the profession. Sometimes, this specialization will extend to access to the tools and technologies used in the profession (e.g., medical equipment). 11 Fundamental characteristics of a profession Institutional preparation Professions typically require a significant period of hands-on, practical experience in the protected company of senior members before candidates are recognized as professionals. After this provisional period, ongoing education toward professional development is compulsory. Fundamental characteristics of a profession Ethical constraints Due to the other characteristics on this list, there is a clear requirement for ethical constraints in the professions. Professionals are bound to a code of conduct or ethics specific to the distinct profession. Professionals also aim toward a general body of core values, which are centered upon the client's benefit and best interests. Fundamental characteristics of a profession Merit-based In a profession, members achieve employment and success based on merit rather than on corrupted ideas such as social principle, mandated support, or extortion. Therefore, a professional is one who must attract clients and profits due to the merits of his work. In the absence of this characteristic, issues of responsibility, accountability, and ethical constraints become irrelevant, negating any otherwise- professional characteristics. 10 things that define a true professional Competence: A true professional possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, and expertise to perform their job duties effectively. Reliability: A true professional is dependable and consistently meets commitments and deadlines. Integrity: A true professional acts with honesty and integrity and adheres to ethical standards. Accountability: A true professional takes responsibility for their actions and accepts the consequences of their decisions. Respectfulness: A true professional treats others with respect, regardless of their position or status. 10 things that define a true professional Adaptability: A true professional is adaptable and can adjust to changes in the workplace or industry. Good communication: A true professional communicates effectively with others and can convey their ideas clearly and concisely. Continuous learning: A true professional is committed to ongoing learning and professional development. Attention to detail: A true professional pays attention to details and ensures that their work is accurate and thorough. Positive attitude: A true professional has a positive attitude and remains optimistic even in challenging situations. Structure of the computing profession The computing profession has a two-tier structure. At the first level, there are the institutions, that are, the chartered professional bodies, each of which covers a single or several closely related computing disciplines. Examples are NUST, GIKI, COMSATS, RIPHAH, etc. Structure of the computing profession The second level body in computing is the computing council, a chartered body that recognizes certain computing institutions as its nominated bodies. By recognizing a computing institution means that the Computing council is satisfied with its standard of education. Structure of the computing profession Computing council acts as an umbrella body and represents the interests of the computing profession as a whole. National Computing Education Accreditation Council (NCEAC) is a professional body and constitutional federal institution for accreditation of computing education and regulation of the computing profession in Pakistan. It ensures the quality of education students received in universities and institutions. It stimulates innovation in applied sciences, computing, Engineering, and technology education. Ethics Ethics is the study of right and wrong in relation to human actions. It includes: Meta-ethics: A study of general principles from which ethical systems can be built. Moral theory: It aims to answer questions about what makes actions right or wrong, what kinds of things have moral value, and how moral decisions should be made. Practical ethics: It aims to provide guidance for individuals and institutions facing ethical dilemmas in areas such as medicine, business, politics, and the environment. Practical ethics involves applying moral principles to specific situations and making decisions based on those principles. What is Professional Ethics One’s conduct of behavior and practice when carrying out professional work, e.g., consulting, researching, and teaching. The principles and standards that guide members of a particular profession in their interactions with internal & external stakeholders. 21 Professional Ethics Professional Ethics must take into account: Relations between professionals and clients Relation between profession and society Relations among professionals Relations between employee and employer 22 Why professional ethics? Awareness of professional ethics is gaining importance with time. Decision-making process in the workplace is a complex phenomenon. Professional ethics provide a way of simplifying that decision-making process. 23 Ethical Issues in Computer Science As software becomes prevalent in our daily lives, its values from a purely human perspective are brought to light. Ethical conduct is one such human value. By participating in a software development process, computer scientists can influence the final product, namely the software itself, in different ways including those that may be contrary to public interest. In other words, they could engage in an unethical behavior, intentionally or un-intentionally. 24 Ethical Issues in Computer Science This could lead to personal harm and potentially result in a loss of confidence in software and loss of trust in organizations that own them. This can adversely affect the acceptance of software as a useful product and question the credibility of computer science as a profession. Computer Science professionals must concern themselves primarily with the health, safety, and welfare of those who are affected by their work. 25 Professional code of conduct One of the main characteristics of a profession is that the professional body establishes and enforces a code of conduct on its members. As far as computing is concerned, most codes of conduct established by ACM and IEEE undergo major revisions with the passage of time. All previous codes of conduct are recently replaced by the “Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice” developed jointly by the ACM and IEEE Computer society. 26 Professional code of conduct It outlines 8 principles of computing ethics: The obligation of the computing professional to the Public Client Product Judgment Management Profession Colleagues Self Resources 27 Principle 1 - Public Software engineers shall act consistently in the public interest. This principle includes: Taking responsibility for your work Ensuring software is safe and words Disclosing potential dangers in software to the public or the environment Being honest when addressing the public 28 Principle 2 - Client Software engineers shall act in a manner that is in the best interests of their client and employer (consistent with the public interest.) This principle includes: Being honest about the nature and limitations of our skills. Not knowingly using pirated / illegal software. Only using equipment in the manner intended Keeping information confidential, where such confidentiality is consistent with public interest / the law Keeping the client up to date with potential issues Manage conflicts of interest when considering outside work 29 Principle 3 - Product Software engineers shall ensure that their products and related modifications meet the highest professional standards possible. This principle includes: Producing the best possible product within the constraints given Ensuring that goals set are achievable and realistic. Ensuring any legal, ethical, or cultural issues related to the product are identified Ensuring that you are qualified, experienced, and following professional standards of software development Ensuring products are fully tested and debugged Ensuring products are fully documented Ensuring the security and privacy of data used in the software development. 30 Principle 4 - Judgement Software engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgment. This principle includes: Maintaining objectivity and avoiding conflicts of interest, especially when being asked to advise on public or professional issues. Only endorsing work that you have personal oversight of. Avoiding bribery or other improper financial activities 31 Principle 5 - Management Software engineering managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance. This principle includes: Ensuring good management of a project. Ensuring engineers know the standards, policies, and procedures that apply. Ensuring realistic estimation of costs and timescales for work. Only assigning work to engineers that they are capable of doing. Offering fair conditions Not punishing people for expressing ethical concerns about a project. Not punish anyone for expressing ethical concerns about a project. 32 Principle 6 - Profession Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession (consistent with the public interest). This principle includes: Promoting ethical development Promoting public knowledge of computer science Supporting other colleagues Obeying all laws except where incompatible with the public interest. Taking responsibility for detecting and dealing with errors in software. Being honest when stating claims in regard to software Reporting violations of the code to the necessary bodies where appropriate 33 Principle 7 - Colleagues Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues. This principle includes: Ensuring colleagues adhere to the code Assisting colleagues in their professional development Crediting others for their work Reviewing the work of others in an objective manner. Listening to complaints and concerns of others Asking for assistance where necessary 34 Principle 8 - Self Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession and shall promote an ethical approach to the practice of the profession. This principle includes: Continuing your own professional development Continually improve your ability in all aspects of software development. Avoiding unfair treatment of anyone due to your own prejudices 35 Questions? 36