Route core element 2: Culture
This resource list has been created to support the T Level Technical Qualification in Digital Support Services.
This section of the specification presents an opportunity to explore how researchers in a variety of disciplines such as technology assessment, computer ethics, information and library science, science and technology studies and cultural and media studies have conducted research into the way new media, computers and mobile phones have turned a wired society into a full-fledged digital society.
In the last 10 years we have entered a new phase of the digital shaping of society. We are trying to come to grips with artificial intelligence, big data, social media, smart phones, robotics, the Internet of Things, apps and bots, self-driving cars, deep learning and brain interfaces.
New digital technologies have now given rise to a hyper-connected society. IT is not only getting in between people, but it is also getting under our skin and into our heads, often literally. Our standard ways of keeping tabs on technology by means of information technology assessment, tech policy and regulation, soft law, ethical codes for IT professionals, ethical review boards (ERBs) for computer science research, standards and software maturity models and combinations thereof, are no longer sufficient to lead us to a responsible digital future. Our attempts to shape our technologies are often too late and too slow (e.g. by means of black letter law) or too little or too weak (e.g. codes of conduct).
The field of privacy and data protection is an example of both. Data protection lawyers are constantly trying to catch up with the latest in big data analysis, the Internet of Things, deep learning and sensor and cloud technology. On any given day, we often find ourselves trying to regulate the technology of tomorrow with legal regimes of yesterday. This gives rise to the question ‘How should we make our ethics bear upon high impact and dynamical digital phenomena?’
Introducing ethics in information and computer sciences
Although ethics is often viewed as an academic specialism or an add-on to training programmes in technology and science, it is in fact an area of the utmost relevance to professionals and, indeed, everyone. This free course, Introducing ethics in information and computer sciences, draws upon examples taken from dialogues, plays and the media to discuss ethics and ethical issues within the context of information and computer sciences. The course explores the importance of language and the role of rhetoric in everyday ICS practice, providing a resource of interest to ICS students and professionals alike.
This online course is related to the delivery of R2.1 and R2.2.
Ethics in the age of technology
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organised by a local community. The video provides information about ethics in the workplace and has relevance in the delivery of R2.1. This resource can be used as a lead into a class discussion.
The ethical dilemma we face on AI and autonomous tech
The video provides information about the ethical dilemma we face on AI and autonomous tech and has relevance in the delivery of R2.1. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organised by a local community. This resource can be used as a lead into a class discussion.
The social dilemma of driverless cars
Iyad Rahwan, associate professor at the MIT Media Lab, explores how Artificial Intelligence challenges our morality. If a driverless car must choose between killing five pedestrians crossing the street, or swerving to a wall and killing its own passenger, what should it do? This resource is linked to R2.1.
Digital ethics and the future of humans in a connected world
Digital ethics and the future of humans in a connected world is related to R2.2. It provides talking points when covering the relationship between ethics and technology.
Negative effects of technology and how to overcome them
Technology is inevitable and even critical to our daily lives today and plays a vital role in our mental and physical existence in the world. It is no longer “I think, therefore I am” but is “I digitise, therefore I am”. While technology offers a new and unlimited medium for information and knowledge to our children and a border-free means of communication, the negative effects of technology cannot be overstated.
This resource covers some of the most common dangers of technology use on the physical and mental health, education and social life of children and teenagers and is linked to R2.2.
5 ethical issues in technology to watch for in 2021
Ethics certainly creates a buzz in the business world. Ethical issues such as how we treat others, use information, engage with employees, manage resources, approach sustainability, and impact the world around us all affect how we view companies. This resource aids in coverage of R2.1.
Ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology
The use of computers has brought about ethical, legal and environmental impacts. These issues increasingly affect people's daily lives. This resource covers the main terms and has an online assessment section included, it has relevance when covering R2.1.
Thinking through the ethics of new tech…before there’s a problem
We all want the technology in our lives to fulfill its promise, to delight us more than it scares us, to help much more than it harms. We also know that every new technology needs to earn our trust. Too often the pattern goes like this: A technology is introduced, grows rapidly, comes to permeate our lives, and only then does society begin to see and address any problems it might create.
This resource has real-world application, and it approaches this complex subject from a different angle by coming up with solutions to problems before they exist, it has relevance to R2.1 and R2.2.
The negative effects of digital technology usage on children’s development and health
Today, children and adolescents are growing up exposed to both traditional and modern technology. While it is known that the increase in the use of traditional technology, such as television and its content, have negative effects on children’s development and health, studies have shown such modern technologies as smartphones, tablets, and computers that have been developed and become increasingly widespread over the past decade to be beneficial and to constitute health risks for children. It seems that children’s inappropriate use of such technological devices in terms of content, duration, frequency, and the posture they adopt while using them pose a variety of health risks.
This resource contains research data and statistics that will aid in the delivery of our reliance on technology section of R2.1.
Cyborg Ethics
In this activity students are introduced to how the present body centric antenna, plus prosthetic technology, could be compared to science fiction ‘cyborgs’. Students are also asked to discuss ethical issues around this idea.
Body centric communications have abundant applications in personal healthcare, smart homes, personal entertainment, identification systems, space exploration and military. This topic investigates the driving technology behind body centric communications, explores current health applications of these devices, possibilities for the future and the ethical issues surrounding these advancements.
This resource is supported by the videos Body Centric Communications and Engineering for the greater good - Engineers Without Borders.
This resource has links to R2.1.
