Moral and ethical issues Flashcards
(42 cards)
What do the terms moral, social, ethical, and cultural refer to in the context of digital technology?
- Moral relates to behaviour that is right or wrong.
- Social relates to society and its organisation.
- Ethical relates to moral principles that govern an individual’s behaviour.
- Cultural relates to the ideas, customs and social behaviour of a society.
How has computer technology changed the skill set required in the modern workforce?
Factories now require technicians to maintain welding robots instead of human welders.
What impact has online shopping had on the job market?
Fewer traditional high street shops and ‘in-person’ roles.
What monitoring capabilities do computers provide in the workplace?
Computers can assess productivity, work patterns, work quality, social media activity, etc.
What is the purpose of automated decision-making systems?
To analyse data and reach conclusions about what action to take.
Fill in the blank: Automated decision-making systems use _______ to reach a decision.
[complex algorithms]
List three applications of automated decision-making.
- Electrical power distribution
- Emergency services
- Stock market trading
Define artificial intelligence (AI).
An area within computer science that devises software that behaves as if it were intelligent.
What is machine learning?
A subset of AI that uses algorithms and statistical models to analyze data and adapt without explicit instructions.
List two examples of AI applications.
- Spotting fraudulent activity
- Medical diagnosis
What is the Turing test?
A test for intelligence in a computer, requiring that a human cannot distinguish a machine from a human based on replies.
What are the main components of an expert system?
- Knowledge base
- Inference engine
- User interface
What is an artificial neural network?
A series of algorithms that tries to recognise underlying patterns and relationships within a set of data.
True or False: AI can match or better a human’s ability to spot patterns while processing data.
True
What are some environmental impacts of computer technology?
Manufacturing, running, and disposing of computer systems and hardware.
List two toxic materials commonly found in computers.
- PVC
- Mercury
What is internet censorship?
The deliberate suppression of what can be accessed or published on the internet.
List three reasons governments might impose internet censorship.
- To limit access to socially unacceptable material
- To limit access to politically unacceptable material
- To limit access to dangerous information
What is one challenge of internet censorship?
Total control of information is difficult to apply unless there is a single central censor.
What are some reasons for monitoring behavior with computer technology?
- To monitor workforce activities
- To monitor criminal activity
- To monitor transport flow
Fill in the blank: The environmental impact of technology includes issues related to _______ waste.
[hazardous]
What environmental benefits can arise from computer technology?
- Smart home devices for energy control
- Computer-controlled car engine management for fuel efficiency
What is monitoring in the workplace?
Tracking performance, internet activity, and breaks taken by employees
Monitoring can include various methods such as task completion times and internet use.
What is one use of tagging devices in monitoring?
To ensure known criminals remain within prescribed areas
Tagging devices help enforce restrictions on individuals who are banned from certain locations.
