TL;DR – Smart machines need to be used with ethics in mind or have ethics included as part of the design. The Gartner article “Create Smart Machines With Ethics in Their 'Minds '” (Buytendijk, & Andrews, 2015) examines how ethics should be included within the programming of smart machines. The article describes five levels of ethical programming. Level 0 is where ethics in not part of the programming of a device or software. The idea behind level 0 is the devices must perform as described, but do not have any real decision making programming required to operate. Some examples are database, programming languages, basic switches and other related items where the manufacturer does not look at how the product will be used by an enterprise
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Application like virtual personal assistants (VPAs) fall into this level. Since VPAs process requests of consumers who do not generally have a set of policies and procedures to follow as with a company, the programming design needs to incorporate some ethical guidance. VPAs take input from the consumer who may not be thinking in an ethical manner, so the VPAs need to process requests and provide results which would help guide the consumer in a more ethical manner. An example could be a consumer asking the best way to commit a crime and the VPA should have adequate programming to not assist the consumer in such an endeavor. Level 3 is considered the evolutionary ethical programming level and takes the need for ethical programming to the next rung of the ladder. In this level, the smart machines start learning from the data being processed. These types of smart machines evolve over time even though the algorithm(s) stay the same. The applications within the smart machines become more individualized based on the data being input into them, hence the need to have fully tested algorithms to prevent unethical results from becoming the norm due to unethical input or …show more content…
In level 0, the manufacturer needs to provide a product which works as described and is safe. Level 1 adds the need for product monitoring to make sure the product functions within the governing law and regulations. Level 2 adds the need for the manufacturer to have a means to counteract undesired or unethical behavior of the smart machine. Level 3 brings in questions on what data the smart device will have access, what level of authorization to make decisions and will the smart device be able to act on behalf of the consumer pertaining to financial transactions. Level 4 takes the ethical discussion throughout the entire product process from conception to delivery and all aspects or issues need to be
Application like virtual personal assistants (VPAs) fall into this level. Since VPAs process requests of consumers who do not generally have a set of policies and procedures to follow as with a company, the programming design needs to incorporate some ethical guidance. VPAs take input from the consumer who may not be thinking in an ethical manner, so the VPAs need to process requests and provide results which would help guide the consumer in a more ethical manner. An example could be a consumer asking the best way to commit a crime and the VPA should have adequate programming to not assist the consumer in such an endeavor. Level 3 is considered the evolutionary ethical programming level and takes the need for ethical programming to the next rung of the ladder. In this level, the smart machines start learning from the data being processed. These types of smart machines evolve over time even though the algorithm(s) stay the same. The applications within the smart machines become more individualized based on the data being input into them, hence the need to have fully tested algorithms to prevent unethical results from becoming the norm due to unethical input or …show more content…
In level 0, the manufacturer needs to provide a product which works as described and is safe. Level 1 adds the need for product monitoring to make sure the product functions within the governing law and regulations. Level 2 adds the need for the manufacturer to have a means to counteract undesired or unethical behavior of the smart machine. Level 3 brings in questions on what data the smart device will have access, what level of authorization to make decisions and will the smart device be able to act on behalf of the consumer pertaining to financial transactions. Level 4 takes the ethical discussion throughout the entire product process from conception to delivery and all aspects or issues need to be