Cybr 392
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1. Three Approaches to viewing the relationship between technology and
society: Luddite: a person who is averse to technology or technological progress
Techno-optimist: Someone who thinks technology will solve all the problems
Social Transformationalist: society will change through its interaction with technolo-
gy.
o Changes take place at different scales of analysis: individuals, society, democracy,
nation-states, and globally.
o New forms of exclusion and inclusion emerge.
o Social relations of power and inequality evolve.
2. Social Responsibility and ethics: Social responsibility and ethics are closely
intertwined concepts that guide individuals, organizations, and societies in making
decisions and taking actions that consider the broader impact on the well-being of
society and the environment
3. rational thinking: thinking that relies on careful reasoning and objective analysis
4. how inequality is fundamentally an ethical issue: Inequality is fundamentally
an ethical issue because it involves questions of fairness, justice, and the distribu-
tion of resources and opportunities in society. It raises moral questions about the
treatment of individuals and groups, and it has profound implications for human
well-being, social cohesion, and the overall health of a society
Human Dignity: Ethical discussions often emphasize the inherent dignity and worth
of every individual. Extreme inequality can undermine human dignity when some
individuals are denied basic necessities, opportunities, or rights simply because of
their socioeconomic status, race, gender, or other characteristics.
Rights and Equality: Many ethical and human rights frameworks emphasize the
principle of equality. Inequality can lead to the violation of basic human rights,
such as the right to education, healthcare, and a decent standard of living. Ethical
concerns arise when these rights are not equally accessible to all members of
society.
Ethical Responsibility: Individuals, organizations, and governments have ethical
responsibilities to address inequality. This includes policies and actions aimed at
reducing disparities and ensuring that everyone has a fair opportunity to lead a
decent life.
Global Inequality: In a globalized world, inequality is not limited to national bound-
aries. Ethical discussions extend to the global level, where questions of justice,
fairness, and the responsibilities of affluent nations to address global poverty and
disparities come into play.
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5. Ethics washing: Idea that large companies use AI algorithms to create ethical
AI initiatives to enhance their reputation for Pr reasons
Ex. Oil companies claiming its clean energy
Basically use it to come off as ethical
6. Power of Big Tech in Section 230 of the 1996 US Communications and De-
cency Act: provides certain legal protections to online platforms and has significant
implications for the power of big tech companies.
"26 words that created the internet,"
Section 230 has two key components:
--No Liability for Third-Party Content: grants immunity to online platforms from
liability for content posted by third-party users. In other words, if a user posts
defamatory, offensive, or illegal content on a platform, the platform itself is not held
legally responsible for that content.Authority to Moderate Content: It allows online
platforms to moderate and remove content they consider objectionable or violative
of their content guidelines without losing their immunity from legal liability.
7. Why should we care about technology from an ethical standpoint: Technol-
ogy is part of what makes us human
Some of us create technology...
--...but we all use technology!
--We also have technology used on us, sometimes without our consent
Technology is a key interface:
--Between citizens and governments
--Between companies and consumers
--Between humans and the planet
Technology shapes our lives and those of other people we come into contact with
(directly or indirectly)
--This can be liberating
--This can also entrench asymmetries of power (inequalities)
8. Is technology neutral?: "If it's neutral, it's not technology"
Most humans will not get to decide how to use technology, most of us are on the
receiving end of how others program technology to shape aspects of our lives
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Ethical rules need to be built into the design of technology
Sheila Jasanoff: different impacts of technology are not limited to how we individually
experience technological innovation; it can also change our relationships with one
another, and even with our environment.
Power relations and context: look at the ways in which technology is impacting
society...
Tech Ethics: questions of responsibility
9. To use tech responsibly, vital to consider:: o the intent behind the creation of
tools and technologies
o the entire cycle from idea to execution
o and the context in which we introduce them
10. Where do we draw the line?: o Answers reflect how values are embedded in
tech:
1. Design and Development:
Choice of Features: During the design phase, developers make choices about what
features to include in a technology product. These choices often reflect their values
and assumptions about what users need or want.
Example: Consider a social media platform that prioritizes features like engagement
metrics (e.g., likes, shares) and algorithms that show users content they are likely to
engage with. This reflects a value placed on user engagement and platform growth.
Drawing the Line:
The line between values in technology often depends on societal norms, legal
frameworks, and ethical considerations. It is drawn through discussions, regulations,
and accountability mechanisms.
In some cases, striking a balance between conflicting values is challenging. For
instance, balancing free speech and preventing hate speech on social media plat-
forms requires careful consideration and may involve content moderation policies
and transparency.
The key is to recognize that values are inherently part of technology, but respon-
sible technology design and use require transparency, ethical considerations, and
public discourse to ensure that these values align with broader societal values and
interests. It's essential to continually evaluate and adjust the line between different
values to address evolving societal concerns and ethical considerations.
11. Tech ethics as applied ethics: Tech Ethics are applied ethics: ethics that we
put into practice• Data ethics• Engineering and computer ethics
