Ethical Issues in Technology PDF
Document Details
Tags
Summary
This document explores various ethical dilemmas associated with contemporary technology, covering topics such as the misuse of personal information, the spread of misinformation and deepfakes, the lack of oversight in tech companies, the ethical considerations of AI, and the use of autonomous technology. It highlights the need for responsible development and deployment of technology, emphasizing the importance of mitigating potential harms associated with its use.
Full Transcript
5 ETHICAL ISSUES IN TECHNOLOGY 1. Misuse of personal information One major ethical issue today is how businesses use personal information gathered online. As we browse, shop, and engage on social media, companies collect data to personalize experiences, raising concerns about privacy....
5 ETHICAL ISSUES IN TECHNOLOGY 1. Misuse of personal information One major ethical issue today is how businesses use personal information gathered online. As we browse, shop, and engage on social media, companies collect data to personalize experiences, raising concerns about privacy. Personal information has become highly valuable, often exploited for profit or influence. Facebook, for instance, has faced criticism for selling user data 2. MISINFORMATION AND DEEP FAKES During the 2016 and 2020 U.S. elections, misinformation gained widespread support, leading to global political and economic polarization. Unlike before the internet, we now get real-time news, and opinions from celebrities and political figures can spread without fact-checking. Information lacks the validation process it once had. Additionally, deepfake technology allows for the manipulation of videos, making privacy invasion and identity misuse serious concerns. 3. LACK OF OVERSIGHT AND ACCEPTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY Many companies use a mix of third-party and owned technology, leading to confusion about responsibility for data governance, cybersecurity, and PII management. Who is accountable if data is breached? In reality, it's a shared responsibility. Businesses must adopt a collective approach, and experts advocate for global data governance to avoid fragmented policies, similar to the need for unity in addressing climate change. 4. USE OF AI Artificial intelligence certainly offers great business potential. But, at what point do AI systems cross an ethical line into dangerous territory? Facial Recognition - Facial recognition raises ethical concerns like misuse, racial bias, and loss of privacy. It can track movements, restrict freedoms, and is not always accurate, leading to bias. Replacement of Jobs - AI is meant to handle simple tasks so people can focus on more important work. Many are worried about losing jobs, but AI is more likely to create new ones. Health Tracking - Is it ethical to track the health status of people and how will that impact the limitations we place on them. Bias in AI Technology - Technology is built by programmers and inherits the bias of its creators because humans inherently have bias. According to Forbes, AI systems learn to make decisions based on training and coding data, which can be tainted by human bias or reflect historical or social inequities. Google faced an issue where AI software believes male nurses and female historians do not exist. 5. AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGY Self-driving cars, robotic weapons and drones for service are no longer a thing of the future— they’re a thing of the present and they come with ethical dilemmas. Robotic machines in place of human soldiers is a very real possibility, along with self-driving cars and package delivery via unmanned drone.
