Chapter six

ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Habtamu Abune
Learning outcome
After completing this session, you will be able to:
Distinguish the link between ethics and technology.
Understand general, professional and leadership ethical questions.
Explain what digital privacy is, its components and why it is important.
Know the importance of accountability and trust in emerging technologies.
Identify the threats and challenges we face in developing and utilizing
emerging technologies.
Technology and Ethics
• The Internet’s arrival has provided many benefits for society, creating
new tools and ways for people to interact.
• However, the Internet has not been without negative aspects. For
example,
• It has created new concerns about privacy,
• It has been hampered by spam and viruses.
• Moreover, even as it serves as a medium for communication across the
globe, it threatens to cut off people who lack access to it.
• Technology can serve to promote or restrict human rights.
Cont.….
• Ethics is particularly important for the accountancy profession, with a
code for professional ethics based on five basic principles such as
Integrity, Objectivity, Competence and due care, Confidentiality and
Professional behavior.
• However, the emergence of new technologies raises some new
challenges for the profession to address.
Challenges of integrating ethics in
emerging technology
• A central problem of the ethics of technology is that it tends to arrive
too late.
• In many cases, ethical issues are only recognized when the technology
is already on the market and problems arise during its widespread
use.
General ethical principle
Contribute to society and 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 ( avoid plagiarism)
Respect privacy.
Honor confidentiality
Professional Responsibility
• Try 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.
• Foster public awareness and understanding of computing, related
technologies, and their consequences.
• Give comprehensive evaluations of computer systems and their
impacts, including analysis of possible risks.
Cont.…..
• Perform work only in areas of competence.
• Access computing and communication resources only when
authorized or when compelled by the public good.
• Design and implement robust and usably secure systems.
Professional leadership principles.
• Ensure that the public good is the central concern during all professional
computing work.
• Articulate, encourage acceptance of, and evaluate fulfillment 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.
• Create opportunities for members of the organization or group to grow
as professionals.
• Recognize and take special care of systems that become integrated into
the infrastructure of society.
 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
• Digital Privacy is the protection of personal information over the internet.
• It is a collective definition that encompasses three sub-related categories such as
• Information Privacy
• Communication Privacy and
• Individual Privacy
• It is often used in contexts that promote advocacy on behalf of individual and
consumer privacy rights in digital spheres,
• Typically used in opposition to the business practices of many
e-marketers/businesses/companies to collect and use such information and data.
Cont.……
In the context of digital 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.
• Every country has various laws that dictate how information may be collected and
used by companies.
• 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.
• However, communications can be intercepted or delivered to other recipients
without the sender's knowledge, in a multitude of ways. (i.e. by hackers)
Cont.…..
• Individual privacy is the notion that individuals have a right to exist
freely on the internet, in that they can choose what types of
information they are exposed to, and more importantly that
unwanted information should not interrupt them.
• For example, 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: Information collected will not be used for any other purpose unless
authorized or mandated by law.
• 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 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.
What role can technologies such as AI, IoT, Machine Learning and Big
Data play in enhancing the security of an organization?
Emerging technologies those are making an
impact include:
 Counter-terrorism and law enforcement informatics via predictive analytics and artificial intelligence.
 Real-time horizon scanning and data mining for threats and information sharing
 Automated cybersecurity and information assurance
 Enhanced Surveillance (chemical and bio-detection sensors, cameras, drones, facial recognition,
license plate readers)
 Simulation and augmented reality technologies for training and modelling
 Safety and security equipment (including bullet and bomb proof) made with lighter and stronger
materials
 Advanced forensics enabled by enhanced computing capabilities (including future quantum
computing)
 Situational awareness capabilities via GPS for disaster response and crisis response scenarios
 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)
 Robotic Policing (already happening in Dubai!)
 Reading assignment ( from the module)

• Treat and challenges in using emerging technology such as IoT, AI,