Chapter 7 - Ethics & Ownership

Question 1

Computing ethical issue

Answer 1

• when tech creates a situation that challenges a person’s morals and values
• difficult as:
  1. tech advances quickly, but laws take time to catch up
  2. there may be no single correct answer
  3. choices can have serious consequences for both individuals and society

Question 2

computer ethics

Answer 2

• set of principles that guide users on how to use tech responsibly and fairly
• help to prevent misuse and protect people’s rights in a digital world

Question 3

3 areas of computer ethics

Answer 3

• intellectual property: it is unethical to copy or use media without the owner’s consent
• privacy: it is unethical to access someone’s personal data without their consent; everyone has a right to keep their personal information safe
• impact on society: tech impacts how we live and work; ethical concerns include digital addiction, social media effects, and job losses due to automation

Question 4

what is plagiarism and how is it prevented

Answer 4

• plagiarism: when someone copies another person’s work without credit
• prevented by giving credits through footnotes or citations at the end of a document
• anti-plagiarism software exists to scan and detect copied content from websites

Question 5

ethical body

Answer 5

• organisation that publishes a code of conduct that all members must follow
• being a member shows a commitment to professional integrity and maintaining high ethical standards in work

Question 6

british computer society (bcs)

Answer 6

• UK professional body for computing and IT
• promotes ethical behaviour, good practice, and high standards in tech-related jobs

Question 7

institute of electrical and electronics engineers (ieee)

Answer 7

• global organisation for engineers, developers, and scientists
• sets technical standards and encourages ethical and professional behaviour in tech fields
• known for publishing research and code of ethics

Question 8

what are the benefits of being in an ethical body?

Answer 8

• clear ethical guidelines, so members don’t have to decide what is ethical on their own
• trusted by clients and colleagues, shows the member is working to recognised standards
• shows that the member is reputable and serious about their work
• recognised skills and knowledge to high standards
• members can get help, support, and advice
• training and development courses offered to keep skills up to date

Question 9

what are some ways of acting ethically and their impacts?

Answer 9

• treating all team members fairly by listening to their ideas and avoiding favouritism, helps to make each team member feel valued
• respecting work-life balance by avoiding unrealistic deadlines, this supports better teamwork and helps to get the best work result
• encouraging collaboration and clear communication to avoid conflict in order to produce a better product
• provide fair pay and ongoing training to keep staff skilled and motivated, helps to improve performance
• promote ethical behaviour with clients, helps to build trust within the team and with clients, leading to better service
• create a culture of respect and teamwork even under pressure; helps staff support each other and deliver high-quality solutions

Question 10

what is the copyright designs & patent act?

Answer 10

• protects the intellectual property of an individual or a company by making it illegal to copy, modify or distribute intellectual property without the relevant permission

Question 11

what are the primary breaches of the prohibitions under the copyright designs & patent act?

Answer 11

• copying an original work
• issuing a copy of the original work to the public
• renting/lending a copy of the original work to the public
• performing/showing/playing the original work in public
• making an adaptation of the original work

Question 12

what are the secondary breaches of the prohibitions under the copyright designs & patent act?

Answer 12

• importing a copy of original work
• possessing or dealing with a copy of original work
• providing means to make copies of original work
• permitting the use of premises for making copies of original work
• provisions of props/equipment for a performance of a copy of original work

Question 13

types of different software licenses

Answer 13

• commercial
• shareware
• freeware
• open source initiative
• free software foundation

^they are all copyrighted

Question 14

commercial software licensing

Answer 14

• must be paid for
• no access to source code
• cannot be edited or modified as protected by copyright
• no redistribution allowed
• developer retains full control over the software
• useful for softwares focusing on developer income and protection

Question 15

shareware software licensing

Answer 15

• free trial before paying for full version
• no access to source code
• cannot be edited or modified as protected by copyright
• no redistribution allowed
• developer retains full control over the software
• useful for softwares where you can try before you buy

Question 16

freeware software license

Answer 16

• free to use
• no access to source code
• cannot be edited or modified as protected by copyright
• no redistribution allowed
• developer retains full control over the software
• useful for softwares meant for free use only

Question 17

open source initiative software license

Answer 17

• often free, but not always
• access to source code
• can be edited or modified with OSI license conditions
• redistribution allowed under license terms
• shared control between developers and users
• useful for softwares with a focus on collaboration and transparency

Question 18

free software foundation software license

Answer 18

• free to use
• access to source code
• full freedom to edit and modify
• full freedom to redistribute and improve
• users have full control
• useful for softwares focusing on software freedom and user rights

Question 19

what is AI?

Answer 19

• machine that can stimulate intelligent behaviours similar to that of a human
• it can learn, decide, and act autonomously

Question 20

what are the two types of AI?

Answer 20

• weak AI: designed to perform a specific task or a set of tasks
• strong AI: designed to perform any intellectual task a human can do

Question 21

what are the advantages of AI?

Answer 21

• increased efficiency
• increased accuracy
• scalability

Question 22

what are the disadvantages of AI?

Answer 22

• job losses
• potential for biased decision making
• ethical concerns over its use

Question 23

describe the common characteristics of all AI?

Answer 23

• collection of data: AI systems use large amounts of data and use logical reasoning and algorithms to make decisions based on the collected data
• rules for using data: AI systems follow principles and guidelines part of their program when using data
• ability to reason: it can changes its own rules and data

Question 24

what are the social impacts of AI in terms of the workforce?

Answer 24

• it will significantly change employment structures
• automation lead to unemployment or job role changes
• new jobs will emerge that require Al knowledge or human-Al collaboration
• reskilling and upskilling programmes are essential, ensuring the workforce is prepared for Al-driven transformations

Question 25

what are the social impacts of AI in terms of the education & accessibility?

Answer 25

* it raises concerns about equal access * Those with better technology, education, and internet access may benefit more from Al, creating a digital divide * To prevent social disparities, it is important to ensure equal access to Al education, tools, and training for all communities

Question 26

what are the social impacts of AI in terms of healthcare?

Answer 26

* raises ethical and safety concerns * can improve diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient monitoring * wrong diagnosis or treatment recommendation can have serious consequences * Decisions made solely by Al in critical situations can be risky * vital to determine the extent of human oversight * Clear guidelines and regulations are needed to define responsibility and ensure patient safety * The question of who is responsible when something goes wrong creates complex legal and ethical challenges

Question 27

what are the economic impacts of AI in terms of employment & industry?

Answer 27

* will significantly reshape entire industries * Job displacement in sectors that rely heavily on routine or manual work * Increased productivity and efficiency in areas such as manufacturing, logistics, and finance * growing demand for Al-related roles * governments and businesses must invest in retraining and upskilling programmes to help workers transition into new roles

Question 28

what are the economic impacts of AI in terms of business & innovation?

Answer 28

* can be a catalyst for economic growth * Enables new business models, such as personalised services or automated customer support * Supports faster innovation cycles by improving R&D processes. * Reduces operational costs through automation and predictive analytics * however, small businesses may struggle to compete with large companies that have more resources to invest in Al * can potentially widen economic inequalities between organisations

Question 29

what are the economic impacts of AI in terms of market dynamics & inequality?

Answer 29

* concentrates wealth and power in large tech companies that control key Al tools and data * Creates monopolistic advantages, leading to reduced market competition * Requires policymakers to consider new economic models and regulation to ensure fair access to Al technologies and prevent deepening income inequality

Question 30

what are the environmental impacts of AI in terms of energy consumption?

Answer 30

* Al systems require vast computing power, which: 1. Leads to high electricity usage and significant carbon emissions 2. Strains power grids if deployed at scale without renewable energy support * Efforts must be made to: * Optimise Al models to be more energy-effcient * Encourage the use of green data centres powered by renewable energy sources

Question 31

what are the environmental impacts of AI in terms of climate modelling and sustainability?

Answer 31

* Helps in climate modelling, predicting weather patterns and analysing environmental data * Aids in optimising energy use, improving efficiency in smart grids and buildings * Supports sustainable agriculture by analysing soil, weather, and crop data to reduce waste and overuse of resources * However, the positive environmental applications of Al must be weighed against its resource demands, ensuring that the net impact supports climate goals

Question 32

what are the environmental impacts of AI in terms of e-waste and hardware lifespan?

Answer 32

* drives demand for specialised hardware which: 1. shortens the lifespan of devices due to rapid advancements in Al capability 2. Increases the volume of electronic waste, adding pressure to recycling systems * Sustainable practices in hardware design, recycling, and component reuse are essential to reduce Al's environmental footprint

Question 33

How is a system with digital cameras and AI used to identify people?

Answer 33

- it uses a facial recognition software to measure the distance between facial features of people, which are stored in a database of user information - the digital camera captures an image, and the AI identifies that the image has a face in it by analysing the pixels to find patterns - the distance between features is calculated and compared to those in the database