Question: Write an essay where you provide support for a particular position on an ethical issue in ICT. The issue must be selected from a list of topics provided on the Unit Moodle site.
The essay must include the following:
- Hypothesis or thesis statement
- Explanation or background of the issue/problem
- Arguments for the affirmative (that is, supporting your position on the thesis)
- Arguments for the negative (that is, objections to your position)
- Conclusion, including why the affirmative outweighs the negative
- Recommendations of actions to take (that is, what the reader should do if they agree with you and/or what others should do)
- The arguments should include analysis using at least one workable ethical theory (e.g. Kantianism, Act Utilitarianism, Rule Utilitarianism, Social Contract Theory, Virtue Ethics). That is, select one of the workable ethical theories and analyse the issue using the selected theory.
- References must be used to support the arguments.
- Format
- There is no mandatory format for the essay, however consider the following guidelines:
- Include your name, student ID and the selected topic title.
- Use section headings to guide the reader.
- The minimum suggested length is 1200 words and the maximum suggested length is 1800 words. Unless they are very well written, essays outside of these suggested lengths most likely do not have sufficient depth (too short) or conciseness (too long).
- You may use the example template Word document (docx), although it is not required Self-driving cars. Should self-driving cars be allowed on the streets? If the technology for self-driving cars is well developed, at what point in time should non-self-driving cars be banned?
OR
- Robots and relationships. Robots are being used to assist humans, not just physically but emotionally (e.g. elder care, therapy, entertainment). Should robots be used in place of humans in these areas? Are there limits on how robots should be used for psychological/emotional support?
OR
- Surveillance. Computer vision and other AI software may be used to identify suspicious activities or persons (e.g. in a city, at sporting events). Should such techniques be used to detain people? What limits should be placed on the software (e.g. could it be programmed to identify race)?