*IN PROGRESS* MORAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES Flashcards
(7 cards)
Amit is studying Computer Science at university. He has been asked to write an assignment on
Artificial Intelligence (Al).
Discuss the extent to which you think computer systems will inherit the biases and discrimination
of their programmers as the use of Al increases.
You should include the following in your answer:
the meaning of Al
examples of when Al may be affected by bias
the measures that can be taken to prevent people being affected by bias in Al.
A01
Artificial intelligence is used for computer systems that
are required to perform tasks that normally require
human intelligence. Al is generally programmed.
Machine learning is where a machine improves its
performance/output through experience/access to data.
Machine learning is a subset of Al.
A02
Al follows programming so if a program contains biases
then so will the Al outcomes. Programmers must be
aware of this and tackle it during
design/implementation/testing. Machine learning bias
depends on data given. Larger data sets are generally
more inclusive/less biased but must be aware of data
that is itself biased. Candidates may give examples that
meet this.
AO3
Thorough testing, multiple programmers and scrutiny of
data sets are essential to ensure that unconscious
biases are not inherited. If not thoroughly considered
then biases will certainly be inherited. Datasets for
machine learning need to be large enough to be
representative but not so large that data is not able to be
checked.
Many technologists predict that in the future, shops on the high street will use facial
recognition to identify customers before they walk into a shop.
Discuss the possible benefits and drawbacks of technology being used in this way.
You should refer to the following in your answer: The benefits and drawbacks to both the customers and businesses
Moral and ethical issues
Legal issues
Knowledge:
Benefits
Customer:
* Personalised offers
Business:
* Targeted adverts
*Able to track movement habits of
customers
Provide more personalised shopping
experiences.
Drawbacks
Customer:
* Personal intrusion
* Invasion of privacy
* Pressured selling
Business:
* Cost of infra structure
Viewed as invading personal privacy
Moral and Ethical issues
*Violation of civil liberties
Recording people on the street who are not
going into the shop
Legal issues:
under data protection laws the shop would need
to
* Keep any data recorded secure
o Personal data should be accurate and up
to date
Application:
Benefits
Customer:
Personalised experience will lead to
more convenient shopping trips
*Staff will give personalised service
Business:
Tracking movement of customers means
able to identify best opening times
Tracking customers around shop allows
better analysis of popular products
Use of modern technology will make the
shop be seen as forward thinking.
Drawbacks
Customer:
Customers may not want to be
“pressured” meaning they decide not to
shop there anymore.
Tracking data could be hacked and used
by criminals
Business:
Extra hardware costs may lead to higher
prices/competitors undercut them.
Customers who feel their privacy has
been invaded may “vote with their feet”
Moral and Ethical issues
Abuse of civil liberties could damage
reputation of shop
Legal issues:
Shop may need to add extra software to
blur out faces of non-customers
Shop will need to spend more money on
data protection compliance, leading to
higher costs.
Evaluation:
Benefits
Increased revenue from directed sales
offset extra costs from hardware/legal
obligations
Improved reputation through use of
modern technologies may attract more
customers
Drawbacks:
- Loss of customer base due to customers
unhappy with “pushy techniques
Poor public opinion from invasive
advertising puts new customers off
“When it comes to government electronic surveillance, if you have nothing to hide, you have
nothing to fear.”
Discuss whether or not you agree with this statement. You should include:
To what extent the UK government is able to monitor electronic communications of its citizens
Technical measures citizens can take to help prevent their communications being monitored.
A01
Encryption means that data is scrambled so that if it is
intercepted, it cannot be understood.
Requires the use of a key to decrypt.
Symmetric encryption uses on key for encrypt/decrypt
and so key exchange is problematic.
Asymmetric encryption uses different keys (public and
private) so no need to exchange keys.
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) gives
authorities the power to compel disclosure of encryption
keys
A02
Encrypted messages cannot be read by outsiders
without the key
RIPA gives Police the power to insist on users
decrypting messages /handing over the key to allow
reading of messages.
Many messaging services already include end-to-end
encryption by default
Use of VPNs to re-route traffic and attempt to escape
monitoring possible
The ending of encrypted data shows that two parties
are passing information they want to keep secret.
Techniques like steganography can be used to his the
existence of encrypted data.
AO3
Monitoring communication runs the risk of revealing
secret but non-illegal communications
Restricting encryption means that secure sites (eg
banks) may struggle to function
Legislation (RIPA) already ensures that
communications can be monitored if there is just cause
Routine monitoring runs the risk of false-positives
However, will reduce risk of illegal activities being coordinated (e.g. terrorism, drug trafficking).
“Developments in Artificial Intelligence mean that in twenty years time most people will be
unemployed.”
Discuss whether or not you agree with this statement.
AO1 Knowledge and Understanding
Artificial Intelligence (Al) is the study of computers displaying intelligent
behaviour (usually characterised by decision making).
Al techniques include neural networks, evolutionary computation, Bayesian
networks etc.
Computers are well suited to certain jobs and as Al techniques improve the
range of jobs they can do is likely to increase.
Application
For the argument:
Many jobs have already been taken over by computers.
Manual job such as work in the automotive industry has been replaced by
robots.
Computer based systems are attractive to employers, they don’t require
paying, don’t get sick and can work 24/7 without making mistakes.
Computer systems can be used for work that is considered dangerous for
humans
And for repetitive and menial tasks.
Future developments may make computers better at highly skilled tasks
making computers preferable
And in the case of certain tasks (e.g. surgery) would make the use of
human workers unethical.
May cite recent developments in Al (e.g. beating world Go Champion)
Against the argument:
As technology develops people will be required to design these new
systems.
It is likely to assist but not take over all roles
Producing a more skilled workforce
Developments in Al have been forecast for many decades but never
materialised.
Forecasts as to the development of Al have always been wildly optimistic
There is debate as to whether Al will ever be able to show human levels of
intelligence.
Tasks that humans find inherently ‘easy’ are still beyond the reach of
computers.
Crucially for many areas of work computers will have to pass the Turing
Test-i.e. converse to such a level that will enable them to pass as
human…
…Most believe this is stillwell beyond our current understanding.
Laws would need changing as currently people have the right to have
automated decisions checked over by humans (DPA)
AO3.3 Evaluation
Candidate should have come to a well reasoned conclusion for or against
the argument. They could come down on either side, the important thing is
they have considered both points of view and based their conclusion on the
evidence they have discussed.
Computers are becoming more portable and are replacing more traditional means of
communication. Applications allowing social interaction are widely available.
Discuss the effects of these trends on society
-People are becoming more reliant on portable
computer systems
-Instant access to data
-Accessible anywhere (where there is a signal)
-Problems for those in society who are technologically
unaware
-Problem with divided society, the haves and the have
nots
-Social interaction apps make contacts more plentiful
-No difficulty in contacting individuals or groups of
individuals
-Problems caused by social pressures to conform and
use them
-Problems caused by online bullying
- Loss of traditional means of communication
In the recent past, the running of a home was a full-time occupation. The advent of computers and
computer technology has meant that some of the jobs needing to be done have been simplified
and some have been removed.
Describe the use of computer technology in the home and the way that its use has altered the jobs
that need to be done and the lives of the people concerned.
The quality of written communication will be assessed in your answer to this question.
Technological advances in white goods:
Automatic washing
machines/dishwashers/…
…leading to increased free time…
…increased leisure time/more
family time/…
…chance to go to work because of
time freed up, leading to…
…increased family wealth
Chance to work from home:
More time spent in productive work
Chance to plan work around home
life
Because of advances in
communication and…
…and availability of more
accessible technology
More recent advances including:
Intelligent larders which know what
food is in them and place
automatic orders…
…delivered by supermarket and
placed in larder from outside
reduces the need for shopping
Robotic cleaners…
…reducing the need for cleaning by
hand
Microwave cookers have simplified
the task of cooking together with…
…large amounts of processed food
available which does not need
preparation
All have reduced the number of
tasks to be done…
…the amount of time spent on
those tasks which still need to be
done
…the knowledge needed to
complete the tasks
The amount of socialising has
been reduced eg when doing the
shopping.
Discuss the effects on the confidentiality of data when it is held on computer systems and steps
which can be taken to protect the confidentiality of the data.
Positive points:
The data is not readable without access to a computer
The data is not stored in human readable form
Easier to log who has accessed the data
Negative points:
The files of data can be easily and quickly copied
Copies of data can be placed on media or sent elsewhere electronically
Searches for specific data to steal can be made easily and quickly
Systems can be hacked and data looked at remotely
More difficult to restrict number of copies of data in circulation
Measures which can be taken:
Passwords to gain access to system
Passwords to access files
Encryption of data
Firewalls to restrict access to systems
Physical measures to restrict access
Proxy server to restrict users allowed access to individual machines on network
from internet
Intrusion detection system to warn when uninvited access is attempted
