Category: Societal Impact

Technology and Analytics for Global Development: Transforming Agriculture, Empowering Sustainable Livelihoods, and Ensuring Planetary Well-Being

By 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 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.”

Ramalatha Marimuthu Honored with Meritorious Achievement Award

By 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 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.

Call for EIC/Co-EICs of IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society

By on November 5th, 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.

Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainable Stewardship

By 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.

Food Security and Agriculture: Technology, Policy, Choices

By 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.

Day Two of ISTAS 2024 Features IEEE President-Elect Kathleen Kramer, and Panel on Risks of GenAI

By on September 19th, 2024 in Articles, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blog Posts, Conferences, Environment, Ethics, Human Impacts, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact, Standards

ISTAS 2024 continued on Thursday September 19 in Puebla, Mexico, with a second day of outstanding programming addressing the social implications of artificial intelligence, as well as sustainability and climate change, ethics and human values, and technology policy and law.

ISTAS 2024 Kicks Off with Discussion of Social Implications of AI 

By on September 19th, 2024 in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blog Posts, Conferences, Human Impacts, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact, Standards

CS president Jyotika Athavale called the conference’s topic a reminder to IEEE members and the technical community that “everything we do has a lasting impact… that extends far beyond the insularity of the scientific community” to encompass the “broader implications” of technology, and in particular artificial intelligence.

Text Neck: Looking Down at Devices for Way Too Long

By on September 18th, 2024 in Articles, Case Studies, Commentary, Environment, Ethics, Health & Medical, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact

Text Neck is a classic ergonomic issue that has come about as a direct result of technological innovation, as people have begun to increasingly use digital media of all types to text, talk, browse the internet, listen to music, watch videos, or play online games.

ISTAS 2024 Has Officially Opened!

By on September 18th, 2024 in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blog Posts, Call for Papers, Conferences, Human Impacts, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact, SSIT Announcements

ISTAS 2024 in Puebla, Mexico, has officially opened!
Tom Coughlin 2024 IEEE President gave the opening address this morning September 18, 2024, via recorded feed.
Virtual registration is still available for attendees outside of Mexico.

Advancing Gender Equality Through Interdisciplinarity

By on August 28th, 2024 in Articles, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Commentary, Human Impacts, Magazine Articles, Social Implications of Technology, Societal Impact

There is a clear parallel between conceptualizations of comedy clubs and AI labs as masculine spaces, and jokes and technology as for men. As Sutko writes, [AI] technology often gets equated with “men’s power,” while women and girls are portrayed as less technologically skilled and less interested than their male counterparts. Such stereotypes can contribute to the gender gap in women’s participation in related fields.