Mizan-Tepi University

School of Computing and Informatics

Chapter 6
1
Ethics and Professionalism of Emerging Technologies
 Technology and ethics

 The Internet boom has provided many benefits for society, allowing the
creation of new tools and new ways for people to interact.

 As with many technological advances, however, the Internet has not

been without negative aspects.

 Technology can serve to promote or restrict human rights.

 The Information Society should foster/encourage the use of emerging

technologies in such a way as to maximize the benefits that they
provide while minimizing the harms.
 Cont.…

 Ethics is particularly important for the accountancy profession, with a

code for professional ethics based on five basic principles – integrity,
objectivity, competence and due care, confidentiality, and professional
behavior.
 New ethical questions

 The increasing use of big data, algorithmic decision-making, and artificial

intelligence can enable more consistent, evidence-based and accurate
judgments or decisions, often more quickly and efficiently.

 However, these strengths can potentially have a darker side too, throwing
up questions around the ethical use of these fairly new technologies.

 For example, outputs can be based on biased data, which could lead to
discriminatory outcomes.
 General ethical principles

 Contribute to society and to human well-being, acknowledging that all people

are stakeholders in computing.

 Avoid harm.

 Be honest and trustworthy.

 Be fair and take action not to discriminate

 Respect the work required to produce new ideas, inventions, creative works,
and computing artifacts.

 Respect privacy.

 Honor confidentiality
 Professional responsibilities.

 Strive to achieve high quality in both the processes and products of professional work.

 Maintain high standards of professional competence, conduct, and ethical practice.

 Know and respect existing rules pertaining to professional work.

 Accept and provide appropriate professional review.

 Give comprehensive and thorough evaluations of computer systems and their impacts, including
analysis of possible risks.

 Perform work only in areas of competence.

 Foster public awareness and understanding of computing, related technologies, and their consequences.

 Access computing and communication resources only when authorized or when compelled by the
public good.

 Design and implement systems that are robustly and useably secure.
 Professional leadership principles.

 Ensure that the public good is the central concern during all professional
computing work.

 Articulate, encourage acceptance of and evaluate fulfilment of social

responsibilities by members of the organization or group.

 Manage personnel and resources to enhance the quality of working life.

 Articulate, apply, and support policies and processes that reflect the
principles of the Code.
 Digital privacy

 Digital Privacy is the protection of personally identifiable or business

identifiable information that is collected from respondents through
information collection activities or from other sources.

 It is a collective definition that encompasses three sub-related categories;

information privacy, communication privacy, and individual privacy
 Information Privacy

 Information privacy is the notion that individuals should have the freedom, or
right, to determine how their digital information, mainly that pertaining to
personally identifiable information, is collected and used.

Communication Privacy

▪ Communication privacy is the notion that individuals should have the freedom,
or right, to communicate information digitally with the expectation that their
communications are secure; meaning that messages and communications will
only be accessible to the sender's original intended recipient.
 Individual Privacy

 Individual privacy is the notion that individuals have a right to exist freely
on the internet

 An example of a digital breach of individual privacy would be an internet

user receiving unwanted ads and emails/spam, or a computer virus that
forces the user to take actions they otherwise wouldn't.
 Some digital privacy principles

Data Minimization: collect the minimal amount of information necessary from individuals
and businesses consistent with the Department’s mission and legal requirements.

Transparency: Notice covering the purpose of the collection and use of identifiable
information will be provided in a clear manner.

Accuracy: Information collected will be maintained in a sufficiently accurate, timely, and

complete manner to ensure that the interests of the individuals and businesses are protected.

Security: Adequate physical and IT security measures will be implemented to ensure that the
collection, use, and maintenance of identifiable information are properly safeguarded.
 Accountability and trust

➢ When emerging technology creates far-reaching and rapid change, it can also
bring new risks.

➢ Understanding and mitigating them will help to build confidence.

➢ Emerging technologies can provide improved accuracy, better quality and cost
efficiencies for businesses in every sector.

➢ They can enhance trust in the organization’s operations and financial

processes, which is crucial for sustainable success.
 Benefits, Treats and challenges

=>What are the challenges of using technologies like AI, IoT, and
big data?
▪ With Technology moving at a fast pace it is always been a challenge for Security.

▪ As security professionals, we need to keep pace with ever-changing technology and be

aware of the AI, IoT, Big Data, Machine Learning, etc.
 Cont.…

➢ Emerging technologies are making an impact including:

1. Counter-terrorism and law enforcement informatics via predictive analytics and
artificial intelligence.

2. Real-time horizon scanning and data mining for threats and information sharing

3. Automated cyber security and information assurance

4. Enhanced Surveillance (chemical and bio-detection sensors, cameras, drones,

facial recognition, license plate readers)

5. Simulation and augmented reality technologies for training and modelling

 Cont..

6. Safety and security equipment (including bullet and bomb proof) made with lighter and
stronger materials

7. Advanced forensics enabled by enhanced computing capabilities (including future

quantum computing)

8. Situational awareness capabilities via GPS for disaster response and crisis response
scenarios

9. Biometrics: assured identity security screening solutions by bio-signature: (every aspect

of your physiology can be used as a bio-signature. Measure unique heart/pulse rates,
electrocardiogram sensor, blood oximetry, skin temperature)

10. Robotic Policing (already happening in Dubai!)

 Challenges in using Artificial Intelligence

 AI is only as good as the data it is exposed to, which is where certain

challenges may present themselves.

 How a business teaches and develops its AI will be the major factor in its
usefulness. Humans could be the weak link here, as people are unlikely to
want to input masses of data into a system.
 Challenges in using Robotics in manufacturing

 With automation and robotics moving from production lines out into other areas
of work and business, the potential for humans losing jobs is great here too.

 As automation technologies become more advanced, there will be a greater

capability for automation to take over more and more complex jobs.

 As robots learn to teach each other and themselves, there is the potential for
much greater productivity but this also raises ethical and cyber security
concerns.
 Challenges in using the Internet of Things

 As more and more connected devices (such as smart watches and fitness
trackers) join the Internet of Things (IoT) the amount of data being generated
is increasing.
 Challenges in Big Data

 Almost all the technologies mentioned above have some relation to Big Data.

 The huge amount of data being generated on a daily basis has the potential to
provide businesses with better insight into their customers as well as their own
business operations.
 Treats

 New and emerging technologies pose significant opportunities for businesses if

they utilize them well and understand their true value early on.

Some risks of emerging technology are:

 Driverless car: while a compelling option for future fleer cars, companies could
crash and burn from claims related to bodily injury and property damage.

 Wear ables: Google glass, Fit bit and other wear ables can expose companies to
the invasion of privacy claims that may not be covered by general liability or
personal injury claims that weren’t foreseen.
Thank You!