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ISAT 171 – Governance of Sociotechnical Systems

Review/Study Guide for Exam 1

• Exam Format Reminder:

  • Three exams total, each worth 18-19%

  • Half objective questions (multiple choice and matching)

  • Half short-answer questions (typically 1-3 sentences)

  • In-person, on paper, closed book, and closed notes

  • Focuses on understanding key concepts and applying them to real-world situations

Study Guide: 03-A Understanding Anticipatory Governance

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Reactive Regulation: Traditional governance that reacts post-crisis (e.g., thalidomide disaster).

• Anticipatory Governance: Proactive approach aiming to identify and address technological risks before crises.

• Regulatory Lag: Time gap between tech advancements and governance frameworks.

• Foresight and Horizon Scanning: Predictive tools for assessing future risks.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Involvement of parties like policymakers and advocacy groups in governance.

• Flexible Regulatory Frameworks: Adaptable laws evolving with technology (e.g., regulatory sandboxes).

• Public Participation and Deliberation: Engaging the public in decision-making for legitimacy and transparency.

Major Themes and Takeaways

I. The Need for Anticipatory Governance

• Traditional reactive regulation is slow.

• Fields like AI and data privacy need early governance to prevent risks.

• Focus shifts from crisis management to prevention.

II. Core Components of Anticipatory Governance

1. Foresight and Horizon Scanning

   • Uses data analysis to predict risks.

   • Example: Early discussion on AI bias.

2. Stakeholder Engagement

   • Involves various parties in governance (e.g., GDPR).

3. Flexible Regulatory Frameworks

   • Laws must adapt with technology (e.g., regulatory sandboxes).

4. Public Participation

   • Increases trust through engagement (e.g., drone regulations).

III. Tools and Methods for Anticipatory Governance

• Technology Assessment: Evaluates societal impacts (e.g., CRISPR).

• Scenario Planning: Prepares for possible future events (e.g., AI job scenarios).

• Risk Analysis: Identifies potential dangers (e.g., autonomous vehicle assessments).

• Public Consultation Mechanisms: Engages citizens via surveys and hearings.

IV. Challenges and Criticisms

1. Uncertainty and Speculation: Future impacts are unpredictable.

2. Resource Allocation: Requires significant expertise and funding.

3. Regulatory Burden: Over-regulation could stifle innovation.

4. Balancing Innovation and Precaution: Policies must support innovation while managing risks.

V. The Case for Proactive Governance

• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Preventive measures save costs compared to crisis response.

• Public Trust: Transparency increases confidence in technology.

• International Standards: Global cooperation ensures consistent governance (e.g., GDPR).

VI. Implementing Anticipatory Governance

1. Key Building Blocks: Institutionalize foresight in agencies.

2. Integration of Tools: Regular assessments and risk analyses.

3. Prioritizing High-Impact Areas: Target significant fields.

4. Flexibility and Continuous Adaptation: Use regulatory sandboxes.

5. Global Collaboration: Harmonize regulations worldwide.

VII. Conclusion

• Anticipatory governance provides a proactive approach to manage technology effectively.

• Balancing innovation, precaution, and public trust is essential.

Exam Preparation: Key Focus Areas

1. Differentiate reactive and anticipatory governance.

2. Understand the four core components of anticipatory governance.

3. Explain key tools for anticipatory assessment.

4. Discuss challenges of anticipatory governance.

5. Explain benefits of proactive governance.

6. Role of international cooperation.

7. Apply concepts to real-world scenarios.

Study Guide: 03-B Science Fiction as Society’s Technology Assessment Laboratory

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Science Fiction as Technology Assessment: Explores ethical implications of emerging technologies.

• Ethical Responsibility in Science: Importance of considering consequences of tech advancements.

• Dystopian vs. Utopian Futures: Themes in sci-fi explore risks and benefits of technologies.

• Design Fiction: Speculative storytelling to explore future challenges.

Major Themes and Takeaways

I. Science Fiction as an Informal Technology Assessment Tool

• Helps evaluate consequences of new technologies.

• Engages public and policymakers in understanding tech impacts.

II. Historical Foundations

1. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

   • Critique of scientific ambition and responsibility.

2. The Golden Age of Science Fiction

   • Optimism about technology with cautionary tales.

III. Key Works and Contributions

1. Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics

   • Ethical rules for robot behavior considered in modern AI discussions.

2. Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey

   • Explores AI governance and risks of misaligned objectives.

3. Cyberpunk Era

   • Themes of corporate power and digital rights examined in tech access.

4. William Gibson’s Neuromancer

   • Issues of digital privacy and surveillance examined.

IV. Contemporary Science Fiction

1. Black Mirror

   • Near-future critiques of emerging technologies.

2. Paolo Bacigalupi’s The Windup Girl

   • Governance challenges in biotech and resources.

V. Science Fiction as a Governance Tool

1. Strengths:

   • Accessibility and engagement with complex issues.

   • Flexibility and systems thinking in exploring futures.

2. Limitations:

   • Dramatic license and oversimplification may create misconceptions.

VI. Applications in Policy and Public Engagement

1. Design Fiction

   • Helps explore governance challenges.

2. Public Engagement

   • Stimulates discussions around technology.

VII. Conclusion

• Science fiction encourages public discourse on emerging technologies.

• Complements traditional methods of technology assessment.

Exam Preparation: Key Focus Areas

1. Explain how science fiction serves as technology assessment.

2. Role of key works in technology governance discussions.

3. Critiques of corporate power in cyberpunk literature.

4. Analyze strengths and limitations of sci-fi as governance.

5. Explain design fiction concept in policymaking.

6. Apply themes of science fiction to real-world governance issues.

Study Guide: 03-C AI-Generated Synthetic Media – Preventing a Crisis of Trust

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Synthetic Media: AI-generated digital content, e.g., deepfakes.

• Crisis of Trust: Difficulty in distinguishing real vs. fake information.

• Deepfakes: Videos mimicking real people convincingly.

• Content Authentication: Verifying authenticity of digital media.

• Digital Watermarking: Embedding identifiers to track authenticity.

Major Themes and Takeaways

I. Framing the Crisis of Trust

• Synthetic media poses risks like disinformation and identity theft.

• Without governance, a crisis of trust may emerge.

II. Current Capabilities and Trends

1. Deepfakes

   • AI-generated content used for various purposes but poses risks.

2. Voice Synthesis

   • AI replicating voices for various applications, including scams.

3. Text Generation

   • AI creating realistic written content, posing misinformation risks.

III. Anticipated Challenges and Ethical Concerns

1. Disinformation Risks

2. Identity Theft and Fraud

3. Copyright Issues

4. Electoral Integrity Risks

IV. Proposed Governance Framework

1. Content Authentication Systems

2. Mandatory Disclosure

3. Distribution Controls

4. Platform Responsibilities

V. Technical Solutions and Limitations

1. Digital Watermarking

2. Detection Algorithms

3. Content Provenance Tracking

VI. Social Implications and Public Mitigation Strategies

1. Erosion of Trust

2. Privacy Concerns

3. Institutional Trust

VII. Mitigation Strategies for Social Resilience

1. Media Literacy Programs

2. Collaboration Between Tech Companies and Researchers

3. Transparency and Accountability

4. Public Awareness Campaigns

VIII. Conclusion

• A comprehensive approach is needed to address synthetic media.

Exam Preparation: Key Focus Areas

1. Define synthetic media and its types.

2. Understand the risks of synthetic media.

3. Impact on electoral integrity and public trust.

4. Explain governance frameworks proposed.

5. Technical solutions and limitations.

6. Social resilience strategies.

Study Guide: 03-D Urban Air Mobility – Building Safety Standards for Tomorrow's Skies

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Urban Air Mobility (UAM): Use of drones as urban transport.

• Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL): Aircraft designed for urban flights.

• Air Traffic Management (ATM): Coordinating air traffic for drone safety.

• Vertiports: Specialized landing and takeoff areas.

• Noise Pollution Regulations: Limits on drone noise.

Major Themes and Takeaways

I. Introduction

• UAM aims to revolutionize urban transport but faces challenges.

II. Technical Landscape of Passenger Drones

1. Current Prototypes

2. Expected Developments

III. Critical Safety Considerations

1. Air Traffic Management (ATM)

2. Weather Resilience

3. Emergency Protocols

4. Ground Infrastructure

IV. Proposed Regulatory Structure

1. Pilot Certification

2. Vehicle Standards

3. Operating Parameters

4. Insurance Requirements

V. Urban Planning Implications

1. Noise Regulations

2. Vertiport Placement

3. Social Equity Considerations

VI. The Need for International Coordination

1. Airspace Management

2. Safety Protocols and Certification

3. Environmental Standards

4. Liability and Insurance Frameworks

VII. Conclusion

• Key challenges to UAM that need addressing.

Exam Preparation: Key Focus Areas

1. Define UAM and its benefits/challenges.

2. Describe passenger drone technology landscape.

3. Explain safety considerations.

4. Understand regulatory structure for UAM.

5. Analyze urban planning implications.

6. Importance of international coordination.

Study Guide: 03-E Brain-Computer Interfaces – Crafting Privacy Frameworks

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs): Connect brain with devices.

• Non-Invasive vs. Invasive BCIs: Differences in data collection methods.

• Neural Data: Reveals personal thoughts and emotions.

• Mental Privacy: Right to keep thoughts private.

Major Themes and Takeaways

I. Introduction

• BCIs are transformative but pose privacy risks.

II. Current Capabilities and Trends in BCIs

1. Non-Invasive BCIs

2. Invasive BCIs

3. Emerging Applications

III. Privacy Implications of BCIs

1. Intrusion into Personal Thoughts

2. Misuse of Neural Data

3. Data Ownership and Consent

IV. Proposed Privacy Framework for BCIs

1. Data Minimization

2. Strict Consent Requirements

3. Limitations on Data Use

4. Transparency Measures

V. Regulatory Approaches for BCI Privacy

1. New Legislation

2. Adapting Existing Laws

3. Creating Oversight Bodies

VI. Ethical Considerations

1. Mental Privacy and Autonomy

2. Identity and Agency

3. Informed Consent

VII. Public Engagement and Transparency

1. Public Consultations

2. Educational Initiatives

3. Transparency from Developers

VIII. Conclusion

• Privacy frameworks essential for BCI development.

Exam Preparation: Key Focus Areas

1. Define BCIs and their types.

2. Key applications of BCIs.

3. Discuss BCI privacy risks.

4. Explain proposed privacy framework.

5. Analyze regulatory approaches for BCI privacy.

6. Ethical concerns of BCIs.

7. Role of public engagement in shaping regulations.