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CHAPTER 7: ETHICS AND OWNERSHIP

7.1 ETHICS AND OWNERSHIP

7.1.1 Ethics

Definition: A system of moral principles that guide behaviour based on philosophical views.

Computer Ethics:

  • Regulates how computing professionals should make decisions
  • Professional and social conduct

Professional Bodies:

  • BCS (British Computer Society)
  • IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers)
  • Provide codes of conduct for members

7.1.2 Ownership

Data Ownership:

Copyright:

  • Gives creators rights to control use and distribution
  • Protects intellectual property

Need for Legislation:

  • Competitors can steal programming ideas
  • Software can be easily copied
  • Bootlegging (illegal selling)

7.1.3 Software Licensing

Type Description
Free Software Foundation Users have freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change, improve; copyleft (modified versions must also be free)
Open Source Initiative Source code available; users can review and redistribute
Shareware Free trial period; payment expected after evaluation
Commercial Requires payment; includes all features

7.1.4 Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Definition: The ability of computer to perform tasks conventionally associated with human intelligence.

AI Capabilities:

  • Learn from past mistakes
  • Adapt to prevent problems recurring
  • Predict what might happen and raise alerts
  • Learn to work more efficiently

AI Applications:

  • Autonomous vehicles
  • Machine learning through data sets
  • Natural language processing
  • Robotics

AI Impacts:

Area Impact
Social Replacement of manual labour; unemployment; increased leisure time
Economic Lower manufacturing costs; increased innovation
Environmental Detrimental impact; robot manufacture; waste disposal

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