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Digital Ethics is an important factor in the success of your organisation. But looking at the big picture, is technology improving society? What is the role of Ethical Technology in making the world a better place to live?
Politicians and big corporations are talking about technological growth, limitless connectivity and digital identity. At the same time, we see people who are disoriented, flooded with information and struggling to interact with apps and websites on their day-to-day use. This is called the Digital Divide and it has an ethical dimension. If we are going to prioritise resources for getting people on board with technology, we must to do it with technology that respects humans, society and the environment.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) encompass a broad range of objectives aimed at improving global well-being, promoting justice, and ensuring environmental sustainability. Several of these goals are directly impacted by the ethical considerations of technology:
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Ethical Technology can improve health outcomes by ensuring that health data is used responsibly and that innovations in healthcare are accessible and equitable. For instance, AI-driven diagnostics and telemedicine can enhance healthcare delivery, but they must be implemented with strict ethical standards to protect patient privacy and prevent discrimination.
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Technology has the potential to bridge gaps in education and economic opportunities. However, without ethical considerations, there is a risk that technology could exacerbate inequalities. Ensuring that digital platforms and tools are designed with inclusivity and accessibility in mind can help achieve this goal.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Ethical Technology includes the responsible management of resources and waste. This involves developing tech products that are energy-efficient, have a minimal environmental footprint, and are designed for longevity and recyclability.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Technology impacts governance, security, and justice. Ethical practices in technology can contribute to more transparent, accountable, and equitable systems. This includes protecting civil liberties and ensuring that technologies like surveillance do not infringe on privacy.
As the impact of technology in society is growing every day and its ethical considerations have a direct impact in some of the Sustainable Development Goals, it is worth asking ourselves how much priority we should give to this field. Should Digital Ethics be a global priority for advancing society?
Effective Altruism (EA), an organisation that advocates for using evidence and reason to maximize positive impact and address the world’s most pressing problems, follows a framework for assessing the impact of different actions on society. According to this framework, Ethical Technology can:
1. Maximize Positive Impact – EA emphasizes interventions that have the greatest potential to improve lives. Digital Ethics align with this by ensuring that technological advancements do not lead to harmful consequences. For instance, developing AI systems that are transparent and fair can mitigate biases and prevent negative societal impacts, thereby maximizing the overall benefit of technology.
2. Promote Equity and Justice – Effective Altruism supports efforts that promote fairness and justice. Ensuring that technology serves all people equitably and does not reinforce existing inequalities aligns with EA’s commitment to addressing systemic issues and promoting social justice.
3. Encourage Accountability and Transparency – EA values transparency and accountability in interventions. Developing and using technology in an ethical way includes practices such as transparent algorithmic decision-making and accountable data usage, can enhance trust and effectiveness in technology solutions.
Another principle presented by the Effective Altruism framework is to address issues that are somehow neglected. Who is working in Digital Ethics and how it this improving accessibility to Ethical Technology?
Do you agree with the idea of prioritising the adoption of Digital Ethics? Who should enforce it? Who should fund it?