1.5.2 Moral and ethical Issues

Made from Ada Comp. Sci. and P.M.T. notes

Morals

• Principles that an individual uses to make decisions about what is right and wrong

• Impacts how we choose to behave and the decisions we make

Ethics

• A set of shared values and beliefs that affect what we view as morally right and wrong

Ethical

Deemed to have a positive impact based on our ethics

What is an automatic system?

A system programmed to operate without a human providing inputs for each operation

What are autonomous machines?

• Self-sufficient machines that require no human intervention.

• They can learn and adjust to their changing environment

• AI and machine learning are being used in the development of ____

What is machine learning?

A way of using large data sets (big data) to train AI by analysing the data in order to make more accurate predictions about what to output for a particular input.

What is artificial intelligence (AI)?

The ability of a computer to perform a task that would usually require human intelligence, cognitive ability and a grasp of abstract ideas

Bias

A disproportionate balance in favor of or against an idea or thing

Algorithmic bias

• When the predicted output is far from the actual output

• The model does not reflect the real world relationship between the input data and what it’s predicting

• This term is used interchangeably with prediction bias

Prediction bias

When a algorithm / model favors one output over others.

Causes of algorithmic bias

Caused by training data that doesn’t reflect reality. This can be because the training data is:

• Inaccurate

• Insufficient or not representative of all possible outcomes

• Reflective of existing prejudices

How can you reduce the energy consumption of computer device and monitors?

Energy consumption can be reduced by:

• Turning the device off when it is not in use.

• Lowering brightness of the monitor

• Activating power-saving / energy-saving mode on the monitor. This automatically dims or turns of the display after a certain period of innactivity

Environmental impacts of data centers

• They consume enormous quantities of energy to operate their servers and their cooling systems. As such they contribute to burning of fossil fuels and global warming.

• The cooling systems use massive amounts of cooling fluid each year, and this water consumption can contribute to drought.

Upgrade culture

The cycle that sees most consumers replacing their devices (such as smart phones) every few years.

Planned obsolescence

When device manufacturers design or make their devices unfashionable or no longer usable before the device has actually reached its end of life

Environmental impacts of computer manufacturing

• Computers use rare materials. Upgrade culture has caused high demand for these materials and deposits have become more and more depleted

• Materials are often bought from companies with the lowest price. To maintain a profit margin, unethical mining practices are often used. This can lead to landscapes being permanently altered and wildlife habitats being destroyed.

• Consumes large amount of energy, contributing to the burning of fossil fuels and therefore global warming

• Causes pollution

  • Manufacturing facilities emit harmful chemicals and pollutants into the atmosphere.

  • Products often shipped internationally - fuel used during transport

  • Products often packaged in plastic which is not always recycled

Potential benefits of technology for the environment

• Can help distribute energy on a power grid more efficiently, reducing the amount of energy wasted

• Vehicle engine management systems improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions

• Remote working reducing emissions from commuting

Give two effects on businesses of computers becoming part of the workforce.

• Higher productivity

• Lower unit costs

• Lower costs of renting

• Lower labour costs

Uses of automated decision-making

• Targeted feeds (social media)

• Application processes (jobs, mortgages, loans)

• Power distribution systems

• Driver-less cars

• Stock trading

• Plant automation systems

Describe how expert systems work

• Expert systems consist of a knowledge base made up of a set of facts and rules.

• This is used to build an inference engine which is interrogated to find diagnoses.

Applications of AI

• Neural networks

• Expert systems

• Voice recognition

Censorship

The act of suppressing the content that people are able to view, publish and access

What is the Free Internet?

The idea of an Internet where nothing is filtered at all, in line with the principle of freedom of speech

How is censorship used within schools?

• Pupils may be prevented from accessing unsuitable material.

• May be used to maintain high productivity and prevent distractions.

Arguments in favour of surveillance systems

• Useful for social security purposes and detecting crime.

• Needed to trace and punish criminal activity.

Name given to the process of analysing large data sets to uncover hidden trends

Data mining

Three things web designers must take into account when designing a website and why

Must consider the following to make a website accessible to all:

• Colour paradigms

• Layout

• Character set

Piracy

The illegal access or use of copyrighted work without the permission of the copyright holder