Ethical Issues of Digital Transformation

Abstract

Ethical issues are involved in the increasing use of emerging technologies by organizations. Several business forums and academic research have been exploring the relationship between ethics and digital transformation, as digital technologies are essential for the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution, which combine the use of technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, blockchain, and neuro and biotechnologies, to create numerous innovations in products, services, and business models. The issue is that these technologies advance at a much faster pace than human institutions, and clarifying how they can be applied to bring development for all, while preserving inalienable human rights, becomes necessary. Thus, in this editorial, we will address important aspects about the ethical issues of digital transformation and propose a series of issues for future studies.

Philosophical paradigms in information technology research

“…In this digital era of big data, it is increasingly becoming difficult to control who collects which data and who uses it (Klein, 2022). AI has further fueled it making it nearly impossible to have enough control mechanisms for the same.…”

Digital Transformation in Design

“…Yet as our "human-technology entanglement" grows, considerations about the ethical, economic, and social outcomes of product transformations, digitization, and "algorithmization" become more urgent. 1 Satish Nambisan, Mike Wright, and Maryann Feldman pointed out that in order to use digital technologies to solve "societal challenges," underlying tensions must be explored. 2 Amarolinda Zanela Klein argued that it is essential to consider how exactly technologies are used to ensure the creation of designs that consider social justice, sustainability, "human dignity," and trust.…”

“…Thomas Jockin 1 Responsive typography according to cognition could provide a more humane access to knowledge and experience previously blocked to many readers. However, such a potential requires deliberation on when and how much this capacity should be implemented.…”

“…Lucilla Grossi 1 and Luca Guerrini 2Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are blockchain-based certificates that attest to the authenticity of the wares during the sales of a virtual item, infinitely reproducible and freely downloadable from websites. Consistently associated with the commerce of digital images, their diffusion has actively touched the art field and its relative market, which underwent a transformation that has provoked a shake in its previous hierarchical balance.…”

“…Kai Franz 1 Computer-aided design (CAD) originated as a translation that extended technical drafting into the digital sphere. Alongside the use of computers to aid in the creation and design came new methods of modifications, analyses, and optimizations.…”