Ethical Implications Regarding the Adoption of Emerging Digital Technologies: An Exploratory Framework

Abstract

The purpose of this contribution is to develop an exploratory framework to analyse the ethical implications of the adoption of emerging digital technologies (EDT) by society. We posit that the exponential growth and dynamics of change of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data and the Internet of Things, among others, are of such magnitude and depth that many of the phenomena generated in the process of adopting these technologies have not been studied with sufficient breadth, scrutiny and critical analysis, particularly in the contexts of emerging economies. In order to develop the proposed framework, we draw on the principles of complex systems to analyse the interactions of relevant agents of the digital ecosystem under study. Our exploration identified a set of strongly related implications circumscribed to education, ethical and moral development, and regulation. It is suggested that the proposed framework may provide an initial platform for formal discussions and conversations towards understanding and applying EDT in a balanced and ethical manner.

The Ethics of Psychological Artificial Intelligence: Clinical Considerations

“…Organizations and industries can form ethical advisory boards to prevent concerns or address them as they arise. The makeup of the individuals who compose the board is important, as evidenced by the ethical board at Google being launched and shut down within the same week because of concerns of bias among some members (Serrano‐Santoyo et al, 2021). Ethical advisory boards with diversity infused in their membership and that are attentive to diversity and inclusion with their oversight duties would help mitigate some problems.…”