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Responsible Technology: ‘Tech’ Isn’t Only for Technologists
Responsibility and ethics. These are the qualities that many would like to foster in emerging technologies to eliminate biases and promote fairness. Technology touches all aspects of our lives and makes intersections with work, school, organizations, and society in general.
Much of the focus of responsible technology is on software and algorithms, and that’s with good reason. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find products that we use which don’t have embedded chips and computers. You’ll find chips in your car, refrigerator, microwave, and even your electric toothbush.
Improperly implemented, or implemented without consideration of broad implications, algorithms can discriminate, be used unethically, or make you vulnerable to hacking.
Ryan Kennedy, associate professor at the University of Houston, said that “too often, algorithms are developed and removed from the needs and concerns of the community. If there is a process being used that makes impactful decisions on people’s lives, people should be aware of it and they should have the ability to engage with it. If we are ever going to have an honest discussion about using technology to improve local government, that can’t take place without some discussion of algorithms and what we expect from them.”
Laura James, engineer and commentator, wrote that “the world of technology development is maturing and, like other innovations, it’s a time for reflection, stabilization, building good practice and getting it used. It will take time and many changes — a shift in culture, a change in the relationships between tech and government and society, new practices, new ways of measuring things.”
Nick Ismail, reporter at Information Age, wrote that “adding diverse thinkers to the tech industry is needed change because ‘tech’ should not be confined to technologists. What we are developing and deploying is impacting people, which heightens the need to incorporate disciplines that naturally understand human behavior.”
