1.5.2

Question 1

Computers in the Workforce

Answer 1

• Computers increase efficiency and productivity.
• This reduces labour costs giving lower prices to consumers.
• Computers can easily conduct repetitive and tedious roles, reducing the need for humans to.

-This can contribute to rising unemployment.

• Manufacturing roles have been badly hit by this
• There is a rise in services being offered online only.
• This reduces costs to the business.

-This can exclude those without online access.

Question 2

Automated Decision Making

Answer 2

• Used to control what is shown first on social networking feeds.
• May create an “echo chamber” where people are not exposed to views which challenge their own.

-Used in application processes such as for
mortgages or credit cards.

-Relying entirely on automated decisions
could mean people are unfairly treated.

-Used in driverless cars.

-Raises many ethical concerns.

-Algorithms must be written and tested to
avoid bias.

Question 3

Artificial Intelligence

Answer 3

• The ability of a computer system to behave in a way which replicates human intelligence, analysis and decision making.
• Backed by a large knowledge base.
• Used in systems designed to replicate system experts.

-Used to analyse huge datasets.

• Used in medicine to form diagnosis

-Used in neural networks for pattern and fraud identification.

• Used in voice recognition.
• Raises privacy concerns.
• What rights might a sentient AI have?
• Who is responsible when things go wrong?

Question 4

Environmental Effects

Answer 4

• Technology evolves quickly and is more widely accessible than ever before.
• Modern devices are not always designed to be repaired if they break.
• This results in a huge number of devices being thrown away.
• Computer components are toxic and
  can cause environmental damage if not
  correctly disposed of.
• Electronic waste is sometimes shipped
  to countries with lower disposal standards.
• Computers and associated servers and
  equipment require huge amounts of
  electricity to power and cool them.
• This is often generated by burning
  greenhouse gasses.

Question 5

Censorship

Answer 5

• Restricting what content people can
  view, publish or access.
• ISPs block illegal content such as that
  associated with extremism.
• Some people worry that this can be
  misused or used to push certain ideas or
  beliefs.
• Some promote a Free Internet with no
  filtering at all.
• Censorship may also exist at a smaller level within a workplace.
• It may be used to maintain employee
  productivity or maintain the security of the network

Question 6

Monitoring Behaviour

Answer 6

• People’s computer usage may be monitored and tracked.
• Computers may be used to track people in other ways such as via CCTV.
• Employers may monitor the computer use of their employees to ensure productivity.
• These technologies are used to track and prevent crime.

-Some people believe this is unethical.

-Others argue this is essential to maintain safety and security.

• What should and should not be monitored?

Question 7

Analysing Personal Information

Answer 7

• Large amounts of data from different sources can be pulled together. This is known as big data.
• This can identify patterns or other connections.
• This data can reveal a lot about individuals and their behaviour.
• It can also be used to target advertisements.
• Many people argue large companies should be more transparent about how they are doing this.
• People argue organisations have a responsibility to share trends
  they find.

Question 8

Offensive Communications

Answer 8

-Unauthorised copying of software, music or other content is theft.

• The Internet has made this easy and widespread.
• The Internet increases anonymity.

-People are sharing more information than ever online.

• There has been an increase in cyber bullying and stalking.

-The Malicious Communications Act 1998 makes it an offense to send indecent or offensive messages online.

Question 9

Layout, Colour Paradigms and Character Sets

Answer 9

• Web designers should consider who will be using their sites when creating them.
• The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal to discriminate against a group of people.
• Those with visual impairments may need to enlarge text or alter contrast.
• Websites should provide alt text for images.
• Transcripts of audio should be provided for those with hearing impairments.
• Web designers should consider how colours are interpreted in different countries.

-Some colours are regarded as unlucky in certain cultures.

• Web content may need to be translated into different languages.
• Unicode is the preferred character set due to its large number of characters.