Ethical Issues in Digital Solutions and Emerging Technologies

Name:

Date:

Class:

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Can algorithmic bias unfairly disadvantage certain groups of people?

A False

B True

2. Can automation lead to job displacement in certain industries?

A True

B False

3. Can addictive app design negatively affect user wellbeing?

A True

B False

4. Does something being legal guarantee that it is also ethical?

A True

B False

5. Should designers consider the ethical impact of their solutions on people?

A Yes

B No

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1An algorithm consistently favours one group over another due to biased training data		AEthical issue
2Workers lose their jobs as machines take over their previous tasks		BSomething can be legal but still raise real ethical concerns
3A design choice that could unfairly harm or disadvantage people, even if legal		CJob displacement from automation
4An app uses techniques that encourage compulsive, excessive use		DAlgorithmic bias
5A hiring algorithm consistently rejected applicants from one background		EThis reflects algorithmic bias, an ethical issue in digital solutions
6A team argued their addictive app design was fine since it was legal		FAddictive app design

Definitions

Ethical issue

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

1. Algorithmic ____

2. Job displacement from __________

3. _________ app design

An ethical issue can occur even if something is _____

Bias in algorithms can ____________ certain groups

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Answer Key

Ethical Issues in Digital Solutions and Emerging Technologies

Section A: Quick Questions

B — True

A — True

B — False

A — Yes

Section B: 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

Section C: Definitions

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

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

1. Algorithmic bias

2. Job displacement from automation

3. Addictive app design

An ethical issue can occur even if something
is legal

Bias in algorithms can disadvantage
 certain groups

Section E: Spot the Error

A — Algorithmic bias can absolutely affect real-world decisions, such as loan approvals or job screening.

B — Automation can significantly affect people's livelihoods, which is why it's an ethical consideration.

D — Addictive design techniques are not harmless — they can negatively impact users' mental health and wellbeing.

C — Legal compliance does not guarantee an ethical outcome — something can be legal and still unethical.

A — Designers do have responsibility for considering the ethical impact of the solutions they create.