Understanding Human-Machine Interaction
Humans and machines communicate and work together in many ways, from smartphones to industrial robots.
Moral and Ethical Issues
- Privacy & Surveillance: Machines collect data, risking unauthorised access (e.g., smart home devices).
- Autonomy & Control: Who controls autonomous machines? (e.g., self-driving cars making quick decisions).
- Bias & Fairness: AI can inherit biases, causing unfair treatment (e.g., facial recognition errors).
- Accountability: It’s hard to know who’s responsible when machines make mistakes (e.g., AI in healthcare).
Example
Check out a case of death of Elaine Herzberg: a first pedestrian fatality caused by a self-driving car. Whose fault was it?
Social and Economic Implications
- Job Displacement: Automation can replace human jobs (e.g., factory robots).
- Digital Divide: Unequal access to technology limits opportunities (e.g., rural internet gaps).
- Social Isolation: Relying on machines can reduce human interaction (e.g., virtual reality).
Environmental Impacts
- E-Waste: Disposing of electronics harms the environment.
- Energy Use: Data centres and AI require a significant amount of energy.
Ethical Guidelines
- Transparency: Systems should explain their decisions.
- Informed Consent: Users must be aware of what data is collected.
- Human Oversight: Humans should supervise machines, especially in critical areas.
Note
There are also different ethical frameworks adapted by different organisations, for instance, Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics.
Social and Ethical Impacts of New IT Systems
We can highlight key challenges associated with the new IT systems, stemming from challenges that involve human-machine interaction.
Hence, new IT systems can make a negative impact in case of poor design, so you need to ensure:
- Reliability: Systems must work properly to avoid harm.
- Integrity: Data must be accurate.
- Security: Protect systems from attacks.
- Privacy & Anonymity: Balance between protecting identity and security.
- Intellectual Property: Respect creators’ rights.
- Globalisation & Culture: Technology spreads ideas but can harm local cultures.
- Digital Citizenship: Promote Ethical Online Behaviour.
Example
Real-World Examples of Impacts:
- Automated Teller Machines (ATMs): Increased convenience but reduced the need for bank tellers, leading to job displacement.
- Social Media Platforms: Enhanced communication but raised concerns about privacy, misinformation, and mental health.
Self review
How can technology be designed to minimise its environmental impact?
Theory of Knowledge
- To what extent should technology companies be held accountable for the social and ethical impacts of their products?
- How do cultural and societal values influence our understanding of ethical technology use?
- How can we ensure that technological advancements align with ethical principles?
- What role should governments and organisations play in regulating human-machine interaction?
- How can societies adapt to the economic changes brought about by automation?
- What strategies can be implemented to support workers displaced by machines?
- What role do individuals and organisations play in promoting sustainable practices?
