Systems can be designed using methodologies like value-sensitive design, and operationalized, to produce socio-technical solutions to support or complement policies that address environmental sustainability, social justice, or public health. Such systems are then deployed in order to promote the public interest or enable users to act (individually and at scale) in a way that is in the public interest toward individual and communal empowerment.
When Outlandish Science Fiction Becomes Real
By cia romano on September 5th, 2021 in Blog Posts, Case Studies, Environment, Health & Medical, Human Impacts, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
The nuclear anxiety of the Cold War now seems quaint. While speculative writers of the late 20th-early 21st centuries have largely relegated nukes to the past, the situation at San Onofre reminds us of our sins — of assuming the future would take care of the future. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission enabled this consensual hallucination. Did it take climate change into consideration?
Electric Light: An Architectural History
By A. David Wunsch on September 3rd, 2021 in Book Reviews, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology
The author’s intention is to study cases that “suggest an architectural history of spaces that have been generated or extensively reconstituted by electric light.” His thesis is “the electric light changes the underlying nature of a space.”
SSIT Student Essay Contest – Deadline Extended!
By Heather Love on September 2nd, 2021 in Announcements, Conferences, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
If you are an undergraduate student interested in examining the social implications of technology, submit your work for a chance to publish your work and win cash prizes!
Reflection for a More Equitable World Post-Pandemic
By Christine Perakslis on September 2nd, 2021 in Ethics, Human Impacts, Last Word, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
Reflective thinking allows humans to examine the past with intentionality, learn from what happened, and adapt accordingly. We explore thoughts, feelings, and actions, mine out insights, and enhance awareness.
Register for ISTAS 2021 Today!
By terribookman on September 1st, 2021 in Articles, Blog Posts, Conferences, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact, SSIT Announcements
Register Today for ISTAS 2021!
Book Review: Edison
By Eric P. Wenaas on August 30th, 2021 in Book Reviews, Ethics, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
Morris’s book is difficult to read, not only because it is written in reverse chronological order, but because he does not understand the technology he is writing about.
Covid-19 in Conversations
By Louise Gordon on August 21st, 2021 in Articles, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Editorial & Opinion, Ethics, Health & Medical, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
The fiercest public health crisis in a century has elicited cooperative courage and sacrifice across the globe. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic is producing severe social, economic, political, and ethical divides, within and between nations. It is reshaping how we engage with each other and how we see the world around us. It urges us to think more deeply on many challenging issues—some of which can perhaps offer opportunities if we handle them well. The transcripts that follow speak to the potency and promise of dialogue. They record two in a continuing series of “COVID-19 In Conversations” hosted by Oxford Prospects and Global Development Institute.
IEEE SSIT Student Discussion Forum in Association with ASU PIT
By terribookman on August 9th, 2021 in Announcements, Articles, Blog Posts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, SSIT Announcements
Tuesday 5.30 – 7.00 p.m. (EDT), 2.30 pm – 4.00 pm (MST), Wednesday 7.30 am – 9.00 am (AEST); ;– “IP Location Services and Automated Biometric Recognition”
GeoSurveillance Symposium
By terribookman on August 9th, 2021 in Articles, Blog Posts, Privacy & Security, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
Tuesday, August 10 7:30 pm – 10:45 pm USA Eastern Time (Wednesday Aug 11 9:30 a.m.-12:45 pm Australian Eastern Time)
Webinar: Emerging Location-based Services and Technologies, GeoSurveillance and Social Justice Issues
Bias and Discrimination in AI: A Cross-Disciplinary Perspective
By Xavier Ferrer on August 7th, 2021 in Articles, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ethics, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
Digital discrimination is becoming a serious problem, as more and more decisions are delegated to systems increasingly based on artificial intelligence techniques such as machine learning. Although a significant amount of research has been undertaken from different disciplinary angles to understand this challenge—from computer science to law to sociology— none of these fields have been able to resolve the problem on their own terms. We propose a synergistic approach that allows us to explore bias and discrimination in AI by supplementing technical literature with social, legal, and ethical perspectives.
Facing the Fragility of the Man-Made World
By cia romano on August 7th, 2021 in Articles, Blog Posts, Case Studies, Environment, Ethics, Human Impacts, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
When we see a built world, we tend to take its permanence and stability for granted. For those who have chosen coastal homes, that built world goes back at least 50 years, with few residents ever realizing that oceans, lakes, and rivers are living entities constantly in motion. The average person relies upon experts such as architects and civil engineers, and supposed guardrails such as state building codes and homeowner associations, to assess safety when purchasing property. But the 21st-century assumption that the built world is stable is a risky bet. Especially in “business-friendly” states.
Dr. Moshe Vardi Awarded SSIT Norbert Weiner Award for Social and Professional Responsibility
By Miriam Cunningham on August 6th, 2021 in SSIT Announcements
The IEEE SSIT Norbert Wiener Award for Social and Professional Responsibility recognises an exceptional contribution or outstanding career by an individual… Read More
Automating Empathy: Social Impact, Mediated Emotion and Subjectivity
By Miriam Cunningham on July 28th, 2021 in Video & Podcasts, Videos
This SSIT Guest Lecture was presented by Prof. Andrew McStay, Bangor University, UK at a Joint Chapter Meeting organised by… Read More
Vaccines, Public Health, and the Law
By Johnna Wallace on July 21st, 2021 in Articles, Editorial & Opinion, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology
Disease prevention due to successful vaccination is a double-edged sword as it can give the illusion that mass vaccination is no longer warranted. Antivaccination movements are not completely absent throughout history, but for example, most recently, parents have been declining childhood vaccines at alarming levels [2, S9]. Safety concerns and misinformation seem to be at the forefront of these movements.
IEEE SSIT Student Discussion Forum #1
By terribookman on July 21st, 2021 in Articles, Blog Posts, Social Implications of Technology, SSIT Announcements, Student Activities
Join the Student Discussion Forum in association with ASU PIT on IP Location Services and Automated Biometric Recognition!
Co-designing Ethical Interventions in Resource Constrained Environments
By Miriam Cunningham on July 17th, 2021 in Video & Podcasts, Videos
This SSIT Guest Lecture was presented by Miriam Cunningham, IST-Africa Institute, Ireland at a Joint Chapter Meeting organised by IEEE… Read More
High Voltages and Low Esthetic Standards: Three Design Principles to Humanize Electricity Pylons
By Paul Cuffe on July 11th, 2021 in Social Implications of Technology
Few people would celebrate modern infrastructure networks as magnificent beacons of our civilization: our powerlines and pipelines are drab, unsightly intrusions on the landscape. Reflecting on this, the philosopher Alain de Botton points out the Roman aqueduct at Pont Du Gard in Southern France, which is now a famous tourist attraction even though it was built for the dull task of supplying municipal water. Wisely, the Romans built it, and many others, for both beauty and function, brightening citizens’ views while slaking their thirst. Indeed, so lovely is the Roman aqueduct of Segovia that it is featured in the emblem of that province.
The Great Reset: Pandemic, Society and IEEE SSIT
By Miriam Cunningham on July 10th, 2021 in Social Implications of Technology, Video & Podcasts
This SSIT Guest Lecture on “The Great Reset: Pandemic, Society and IEEE SSIT” was presented by Mr. Satish Babu, President… Read More
IEEE Transaction on Technology and Society, Volume 2, Issue 2, 2021
By Miriam Cunningham on June 28th, 2021 in Transactions
Access Volume 2, Issue 2, 2021 – Special Issue on Socio-Technical Design for Public Interest Technology Current Issue (2, 2) Front… Read More