Ethical considerations in computer science

Technology has infiltrated our day-to-day lives in ways that would have been unimaginable to many people a couple of decades ago. While the first iPhone was only released in 2007, a life without a smartphone now seems unfathomable. And yet, many of the things that now form a cornerstone of both our personal and professional lives haven’t actually been around that long. 

Every day, we generate enormous amounts of data, and the numbers just keep rising. Over the last two years alone, 90% of the data in the world was generated. This data comes from multiple sources, including the internet, social media, digital communication, digital photos, music streaming, financial services, and the Internet of Things.

This dominance of digital has changed our lives in many ways. As technology continues to evolve and we adopt more of it at rising rates, there is a need for computer scientists and professionals to apply ethical considerations to their creations, particularly as trust in new technology is not growing at the same rate as new tools are evolving.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the key ethical considerations in computer science, and will outline some essential ethical principles computing professionals are urged to adopt as they develop new technology.

Keeping data secure and protecting privacy

As mentioned above, humans are creating a huge amount of data. It is up to the companies we give our data to to ensure this data is kept safe and protected. 

Data is a valuable commodity. By leveraging personal data, companies can optimise their decision-making processes, optimise their ways of working to increase success, and predict future trends, getting ahead of competitors. The insights gleaned from customer data makes it a sought-after asset, and companies can earn a huge profit for selling this onto third parties.

This recent boom in how data can be just as profitable as a company’s goods and services has raised many ethical concerns about how personal information and intellectual property is used. In order to build consumer trust, businesses must be transparent about how their customer data is stored and used. 

Closing the gap in the digital divide

As technology continues to seep into the services we use, there is an ethical consideration to be made over the digital divide. This is a concept which relates to the gap between individuals who have access to technology, the use of computers, and the internet and those who don’t.

There are many factors which feed into creating and widening the digital divide. These include: 

• Socioeconomic status: higher-income individuals are more able to afford the latest gadgets
• Education levels and digital literacy: people need the knowledge and skills to use devices and navigate the internet
• Geographical locations: having the same access to the latest technology and high-speed internet in both rural and urban areas
• Physical disabilities: creating technology that is accessible to people with disabilities

The Office for National Statistics released a report in 2019 called ‘Exploring the UK’s digital divide’. At the point of release, they found that there were 5.3 million adults, or 10% of the adult UK population, who had either never used the internet or who hadn’t used it in the last three months. Globally the figure worsens, with reports suggesting a third of the world’s population suffers from the digital divide.

Businesses who are creating new computer technology or adopting it in their practices must respond to this ethical issue by ensuring the people who aren’t able to go online easily are still included and aren’t left behind. 

Considerations in artificial intelligence development

The machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) market is growing rapidly as new technologies are constantly emerging, yet multiple ethical considerations have arisen in recent years over its development.

AI bias is when AI systems produce biassed results that reflect and perpetrate biases within society. These can be found in the initial training data, the algorithm, or the predictions that the algorithm produces. There are many high-profile examples of algorithmic bias in AI, within industries such as healthcare, job applicant tracking systems, and online advertising.

Codes of conduct to relieve ethical implications of AI are essential in building trust in this technology. To reduce negative social impact, these AI ethics and codes should focus on sustainability, human-centricity, accountability, transparency, and data protection.

Staying safe on social media

The content we see on our social media platforms is determined by an algorithm which aims to keep people online for as long as possible, selling you more targeted ads and making more money from having your eyes glued to the screen.

Algorithms use user-generated data to build a profile of your interests based on what you have liked, shared, and engaged with in the past. As the goal is engagement, social media feeds aren’t optimised for providing access to high-quality information.

A study by the University of Southern California of more than 2,400 Facebook users suggested that 15% of the most habitual news sharers were responsible for spreading 30-40% of the fake news. They also found that habitual users forwarded six times more fake news than occasional or new users. They suggest this is due to the algorithms at play.

Social media computing professionals have a responsibility to rectify these ethical problems by moving away from a reward-based algorithm system and prioritising factually correct information. We have already seen multiple case studies of where this has caused real-world impact, from the Cambridge Analytica scandal to the Covid-19 vaccine.

Ethical principles that are essential for computing professionals

It is possible to create new technologies whilest keeping ethical challenges in mind. In order to create new computer systems which work for public good and limit negative societal impacts, stakeholders within business, government, and public policy need to work together.

By introducing a code of conduct and professional ethics, adhering to frameworks and openly answering ethical questions, public trust in technology will increase and everyone within society will have equal opportunities against the backdrop of a more digitised world.

Some essential ethical principles include:

• Implementing robust data protection measures to ensure data collection is done with consumer consent and is used responsibly
• Taking ownership and responsibility for ethical implications
• Creating systems which limit bias and discrimination in datasets
• Being open and honest about how data is used and how algorithms work

Become an expert in the ethical dilemmas of modern computing

Ethical use of technology is at the forefront of public discourse, and there is a striking need for new initiatives into the professional conduct of new and emerging technologies.

If you currently work in information technology and computer ethics, or if you have an interest in moving into the field, gain an in-depth understanding of modern computer science with Sheffield Hallam University.

Study an MSc Computer Science with us part-time and online to build on knowledge learnt during your BSc and progress your career. You’ll learn about pressing issues in ethical decision-making and intellectual property rights, whilest developing a deep understanding of many areas of computer science, from software engineering to data science to robotics.

Our Department of Computer Science is made up of experts in the field. Through them, you’ll learn modern skills and knowledge that employers are actively seeking.