1 Ethical Issues in Computer Science CSCI 328, Fall 2013 Session 7 Ethics in IT Societies

2 Technology as "instrumentation of human action" Many ethical theories concerned with action or its consequences. Technology changes what people are able to do, and what they actually do. Examples: By viewing technology as the instrument, humans are still accountable for the action.

3 AI, Robots, Etc. Autonomous entities may not be directly controlled by humans. Should they be granted moral status? Should humans be responsible for actions of autonomous agents?

4 Example: "I, Robot" Example: Isaac Asimov's "I, Robot" stories. The three laws of robotics: 1)A robot will not harm a human, or through inaction allow a human to come to harm. 2)A robot will obey a human unless doing so violates the first law. 3)A robot must protect its own existence unless doing so violates the first or second laws.

5 Features of IT Societies: Global, many-to-many scope The reach of communication is greatly expanded through the internet. Other technology also expands communication: mail, telephone, radio, television. Internet may be unique in terms of ease, immediacy and low cost of communication. Internet allows many-to-many communication.

6 Features of IT Societies: Distinctive Identity Conditions

7 Anonymity is Complex People may see you, but not know your name or anything about you. (This is an example of anonymity). You may not be using your real name (e.g. on the internet), but can be tracked by your internet service provider for law enforcement. (Situation appears anonymous, but isn't). When you vote, you identify yourself, but your name cannot be linked with how you vote. (Anonymous with respect to your vote). Anonymity depends on the ways and extent to which information can be linked with other information about a person.

8 Distinctive Identity conditions Internet communication is mediated. Communication over the internet is transmitted through a machine. People cannot see each other directly. The text and/or images can be manipulated. The possibility for distortions always exists. A range of identity conditions is available. Can communicate through avatars. Can communicate using pseudonyms. Can provide accurate information about ourselves.

9 Reproducibility Digital information can be easily copied with no loss of quality. This has implications for property rights and crime. Words endure--Deleting words may be difficult. Ease of copying makes it easy to use someone else's words as one's own (plagiarism).