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Ethical Issues in Digital Solutions and Emerging Technologies

A situation where a design or technology choice could unfairly harm, exclude, or disadvantage people, even if it is legal

Part of: VCE Applied Computing - U2O1 - Innovative Solutions — Module 24, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Evaluating solutions, impact and innovation — Module 9, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Understanding Digital Problems — Module 66, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Programmed Solutions — Module 128, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 3 — Interactions Between Users, Data and Digital Systems — Module 9

Understanding Ethical Issues in Digital Solutions and Emerging Technologies in VCE Innovative Solutions

What it does: This description matches an ethical issue, which concerns fairness beyond just legal compliance. Algorithmic bias can lead to unfair outcomes for particular groups, especially when training data reflects existing inequalities. Automation can replace human tasks, which can affect jobs and livelihoods in some industries. Design techniques that encourage compulsive use can harm users' mental health and wellbeing. Considering ethical impact, like fairness and inclusion, is part of responsible solution design. A situation where a design or technology choice could unfairly harm, exclude, or disadvantage people, even if it is legal.

Common mistakes: Algorithmic bias can absolutely affect real-world decisions, such as loan approvals or job screening. Automation can significantly affect people's livelihoods, which is why it's an ethical consideration.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Part 2 of 2) and word search (All modules).

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Learning
Duo
Can algorithmic bias unfairly disadvantage certain groups of people?
TrueFalse
Matches
A hiring algorithm consistently rejected applicants from one background
↓
This reflects algorithmic bias, an ethical issue in digital solutions
Applying
Meanings
Term
Ethical issue
Meaning
A situation where a design or technology choice could unfairly harm, exclude, or disadvantage people, even if it is legal
Practice
1. Algorithmic bias
Testing
Gaps
1. Algorithmic
Check Answer
Spots
1Algorithmic bias can never affect real-world decisions.
2Algorithmic bias can unfairly disadvantage certain groups.

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Quick Questions

1. Can algorithmic bias unfairly disadvantage certain groups of people?
A. False
B. True ✓
Algorithmic bias can lead to unfair outcomes for particular groups, especially when training data reflects existing inequalities.
2. Can automation lead to job displacement in certain industries?
A. True ✓
B. False
Automation can replace human tasks, which can affect jobs and livelihoods in some industries.
3. Can addictive app design negatively affect user wellbeing?
A. True ✓
B. False
Design techniques that encourage compulsive use can harm users' mental health and wellbeing.
4. Does something being legal guarantee that it is also ethical?
A. True
B. False ✓
An action can be legal but still raise ethical concerns about fairness or harm.
5. Should designers consider the ethical impact of their solutions on people?
A. Yes ✓
B. No
Considering ethical impact, like fairness and inclusion, is part of responsible solution design.

Match the Pairs

An algorithm consistently favours one group over another due to biased training data → Algorithmic bias
Workers lose their jobs as machines take over their previous tasks → Job displacement from automation
A design choice that could unfairly harm or disadvantage people, even if legal → Ethical issue
An app uses techniques that encourage compulsive, excessive use → Addictive app design
A hiring algorithm consistently rejected applicants from one background → This reflects algorithmic bias, an ethical issue in digital solutions
A team argued their addictive app design was fine since it was legal → Something can be legal but still raise real ethical concerns

Key Term

Ethical issue
A situation where a design or technology choice could unfairly harm, exclude, or disadvantage people, even if it is legal

Fill in the Blanks

1. 1. Algorithmic bias
Hint: Type the word for unfair favouritism built into an algorithm
2. 2. Job displacement from automation
Hint: Type the word for machines replacing human tasks
3. 3. Addictive app design
Hint: Type the word describing design that hooks users compulsively
4. An ethical issue can occur even if something is legal
Hint: Type the word meaning permitted by law
5. Bias in algorithms can disadvantage certain groups
Hint: Type the word meaning to unfairly put at a disadvantage

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Algorithmic bias can never affect real-world decisions.
B Algorithmic bias can unfairly disadvantage certain groups.
C It can occur when training data reflects existing inequalities.
D This makes bias an important ethical consideration.
Line A — Algorithmic bias can absolutely affect real-world decisions, such as loan approvals or job screening.
Question 2
A Automation can replace some human jobs with machines.
B Automation has no effect on people's livelihoods at all.
C This can lead to job displacement in certain industries.
D Considering this impact is part of ethical design.
Line B — Automation can significantly affect people's livelihoods, which is why it's an ethical consideration.
Question 3
A Addictive app design can negatively affect user wellbeing.
B It may use techniques that encourage compulsive use.
C This raises ethical questions for designers.
D Addictive design techniques are always completely harmless.
Line D — Addictive design techniques are not harmless — they can negatively impact users' mental health and wellbeing.
Question 4
A An action can be legal but still raise ethical concerns.
B Ethics considers fairness, not just what the law requires.
C Legal compliance always guarantees an ethical outcome.
D This is why ethical thinking matters in solution design.
Line C — Legal compliance does not guarantee an ethical outcome — something can be legal and still unethical.
Question 5
A Designers have no responsibility for the ethical impact of their work.
B Designers should consider the impact of their solutions on people.
C This includes thinking about fairness and inclusion.
D Ethical thinking should be part of the design process.
Line A — Designers do have responsibility for considering the ethical impact of the solutions they create.

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