IS466
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Digital Ethics for Responsible Computing
Course (UG/PG)
Offering Unit/Department
Course Description
There is now broader recognition that responsible innovation requires understanding potential risks and aligning with human values. But how can we ensure that technology advances in a manner that's ethical, sustainable, and beneficial for all?
This timely course explores ethics in computing. Through case studies and frameworks, students will develop skills in critical and nuanced thinking about complex issues at the intersection of technology and society.
What you will find in this course:
- Embracing Complexity: We won't seek single \"right\" answers. Instead, we'll foster a space for exploring multidimensional problems with interconnected tradeoffs, encouraging students to understand, appreciate, and engage with differing viewpoints.
- Skill Development: Students will practise not just theory but systematic analysis of real-world impacts, preparing them for the consequential decisions they may face in their future careers.
- Structured Exploration: The course is divided into two engaging parts. The first introduces fundamental concepts, while the second dives into contemporary dilemmas, exposing the tensions between responsible development and disruptive innovation.
- Respectful Discourse: A commitment to respectful dialogue is central to this course. We recognise the intricate and \"messy\" nature of real-world problems, with ramifications extending far into a dynamic and uncertain technological future.
- Distinct Focus on Technology: While courses like \"COR3301 Ethics and Social Responsibility\" provide a broad understanding of ethical conduct across various professions, this course specialises in the intersection of technology and ethics. This course targets the unique challenges of the digital age, equipping tech professionals with the nuanced understanding needed to navigate ethical dilemmas specific to computing, AI, and digital human rights. It's a tailored exploration for those aiming to align technological advancements with responsible decision-making.
- Empowering Future Leaders: By attuning students to ethical imperatives and responsible decision-making processes, this course prepares the next generation of tech professionals to navigate and guide technological progress in a manner that honours human values and serves the greater good.
Course Learning Outcomes
1. Develop ability to Identify and describe the fundamental principles of digital ethics, major ethical frameworks, and the connections between morality, law, and globalisation in the context of cyberspace. 2. Be able to explain the underlying theories and justifications of intellectual property, privacy rights, and digital personhood, and compare different ethical considerations in surveillance, data collection, and human-machine interactions. 3. Apply ethical reasoning to solve complex issues related to data ethics, AI development, and technology accessibility, and demonstrate understanding by constructing examples and applications. 4. Evaluate the role of responsible innovation, leadership, and whistleblowing in the tech industry, and assess the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advances. 5. Ability to create and develop well-reasoned arguments, presentations, or projects that advocate for ethical computing practices, reflecting an integrated and nuanced understanding of the complexities of computing in a culturally diverse world and the trade-offs in digital ethics.