Information technology and ethics
Inger V. Eriksson · 1997
Information technology (IT) exerts a strong influence on people either as individuals, workers or members of society. In this paper, the ethical issues raised by computerization are discussed. IT development is first put into the broader context of technological development in general. Next, ethical issues arising from IT are identified and categorized. Issues which are already the subject of discussion include artificial intelligence and expert systems, work, privacy, social power, computer crime, and intellectual property rights. To this can be added issues which have been recognized but not so much discussed yet, such as artificial and virtual reality technology and its consequences. The paper does not give any simple solutions or answers on how to handle possible ethical issues but rather aims to make the reader aware of them and to stimulate discussion by raising questions. Asking questions is the first step in formulating a solution.