The question at the heart of whether or not engaging with defense research is ethical probably boils down to this: does defense promote peace, or does it promote war?
Category: Social Implications of Technology
2025 IEEE International Symposium on Technology and Society (ISTAS25) Set for Sept 9-12, 2025
By terribookman on January 15th, 2025 in Announcements, Articles, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blog Posts, Call for Papers, Conferences, Ethics, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact, SSIT Announcements
Book Review: The Northeast Corridor
By A. David Wunsch on January 8th, 2025 in Articles, Book Reviews, Case Studies, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
Much of the U.S. is suspicious of centralized government planning, and despite the benefits of rail’s carbon emissions per passenger compared to cars and planes, AMTRAK is seen by many Americans as a plot of eastern elites.
Call for EIC/Co-EICs of IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society
By John Impagliazzo on December 30th, 2024 in Announcements, Articles, Blog Posts, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact, SSIT Announcements, Transactions
The Society on Social Implications of Technology (SSIT) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) seeks applications and nominations for the position of Editor-in-Chief (EIC) or Co-Editors-in-Chief (Co-EICs) of the IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society (TTS) for a three-year term (once renewable) beginning 1 January 2026.
Honoring and Remembering Dr Banu Onaral
By Luis Kun on December 22nd, 2024 in Articles, Blog Posts, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
It is with great sadness that I am announcing the passing of our dear colleague and friend Banu Onaral on December 18, 2024.
Book Review: The Science of Life and Death in Frankenstein
By A. David Wunsch on December 20th, 2024 in Articles, Book Reviews, Health & Medical, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
In the background of Mary Shelley’s life was a very public debate between two prominent doctors beginning in 1815: John Abernethy and William Lawrence, both faculty at the Royal College of Surgeons. Lawrence was Shelley’s doctor. There was a clash in their philosophies that emerged in public lectures. Abernethy’s belief about life is more harmonious with Judeo-Christian faith: that there is an essence that renders organic matter different from the inorganic and that human life is fundamentally different from other life. Lawrence maintained that life is simply matter that has grown sophisticated enough to reproduce itself and to become aware of its surroundings. Lawrence paid for this by losing his job. Ruston implies that Shelley’s Frankenstein subscribes to Abernethy’s belief.
The Gap Between Policy and Implementation Has Roots in Academia
By Evagelia Emily Tavoulareas on December 12th, 2024 in Articles, Editorial & Opinion, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
The discipline of public policy is largely about the process and prioritization of decision-making and is deeply rooted in economics. It is about how to decide what to do or accomplish, based on countless variables and inputs. Preparing the next generation of policymakers means acknowledging that public policy and technology are inextricably entwined.
Robert Dent and Philip Rubin Elevated to IEEE Fellow Grade
By terribookman on December 12th, 2024 in Articles, Social Implications of Technology, SSIT Announcements
The IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology (SSIT) is proud to announce that two of its members, Robert Dent… Read More
Technology and Analytics for Global Development: Transforming Agriculture, Empowering Sustainable Livelihoods, and Ensuring Planetary Well-Being
By Denis Dennehy on November 30th, 2024 in Articles, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Case Studies, Editorial & Opinion, Environment, Ethics, Health & Medical, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
We initiated this special issue to highlight innovative and essential work underway on technology and analytics for global development. The panoply of important Adaptation and sustainability are essential, enabled by technologies that optimize crop production, improve quality, and protect the environment. topics discussed at ISTAS23 presented a difficult, but welcome challenge of deciding the theme for this special issue.
Murty Polavarapu Recognized for IEEE Service
By terribookman on November 27th, 2024 in Blog Posts, Human Impacts, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact, SSIT Announcements
Incoming 2025 IEEE SSIT President-Elect Murty Polavarapu was recognized Saturday November 23 with an IEEE Member and Geographic Activities Discretionary Award at the TAB MGA meeting in Dallas, TX, USA. The award was given “in recognition of outstanding contributions as an IEEE MGA volunteer.”
IEEE SSIT Treasurer Howard Wolfman Honored with IEEE MGA Leadership Award
By terribookman on November 25th, 2024 in Blog Posts, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact, SSIT Announcements
IEEE SSIT Treasurer Howard Wolfman was recognized by the IEEE Member and Geographic Activities (MGA) Board with a 2024 MGA Leadership Award on Saturday November 23, in Dallas, TX USA.
Ramalatha Marimuthu Honored with Meritorious Achievement Award
By terribookman on November 25th, 2024 in Articles, Ethics, Health & Medical, Human Impacts, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact, SSIT Announcements
Ramalatha Marimuthu, who is SSIT’s Madras India Chapter Chair, and a IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society Associate Editor, was recognized November 22, 2024, in Dallas, TX, with the IEEE EAB Meritorious Achievement Award in Continuing Education.
The Ethics of Product Development—Houston, Do We Have a Problem?
By Colin Ashruf on November 15th, 2024 in Articles, Case Studies, Commentary, Environment, Ethics, Health & Medical, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
Though it is hard to find accurate figures on how many products introduced every year fail to meet safety and environmental standards—partly because market surveillance proves to be inadequate [6], while the assessment of market readiness is, in many cases, left to producers themselves [7] —the number may be higher than the public expects.
Earth3 – A New Podcast from Joe Carvalko
By Joe Carvalko on November 3rd, 2024 in Articles, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blog Posts, Environment, Ethics, Health & Medical, Human Impacts, Podcasts, Robotics, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact, Video & Podcasts
The Earth 3 podcast will explore Earth 1 through the lens of Science, Technology, the Environment, Ethics, and Law, or STEEL for short.
Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainable Stewardship
By Ann-Louise Davidson on October 28th, 2024 in Articles, Editorial & Opinion, Environment, Ethics, Health & Medical, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
Regenerative agriculture involves improving, not depleting, the resources used. Cora and Mike’s methods emphasize the symbiotic relationship between the animals and the land, ensuring that both thrive in a balanced and healthy environment.
Modem Futura Podcast Launches
By terribookman on October 25th, 2024 in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blog Posts, Ethics, Health & Medical, Human Impacts, Podcasts, Robotics, Societal Impact, Video & Podcasts
Modem Futura is your guide to the bold frontiers of tomorrow.
Technology, Society, and Generational Interoperability—An Incredible July 2024
By Luis Kun on October 15th, 2024 in Articles, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, President's Message, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
Aging provides us the ability to look back and compare different time periods in our lifetime while using technology as a “point of reference.”
Food Security and Agriculture: Technology, Policy, Choices
By Ketra Schmitt on October 1st, 2024 in Articles, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Case Studies, Editorial & Opinion, Environment, Ethics, Health & Medical, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact
Food security and agriculture are complex systems that interconnect with many other issues, including poverty and environmental sustainability. These urgent issues inspire proposals for technological solutions. Emerging technologies are often proposed as ways to increase food supply to end hunger. Other proposals target agricultural practice, grounded in the knowledge that agriculture has a large carbon footprint, and the fear that the negative climate impacts of agriculture would worsen as the population increases.
IEEE ETHICS 2025 Set for June 6-8, 2025, in Evanston, IL USA
By terribookman on September 30th, 2024 in Articles, Blog Posts, Call for Papers, Conferences, Ethics, Human Impacts, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact, SSIT Announcements
Call for Papers — IEEE ETHICS-2025: Emerging Technologies, Ethics, and Social Justice — 6-8 June 2025, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois (Chicago Area), USA
ISTAS 2024 Wraps, ISTAS 2025 Location and Date Announced: September 10-12, 2025, Santa Clara, CA
By terribookman on September 30th, 2024 in Articles, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blog Posts, Conferences, Environment, Ethics, Human Impacts, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact, Standards
ISTAS25 will be held at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA, September 10-12, 2025, and themed AI Evolution and Revolution.