Technology has transformed how we communicate, work and interact with information. Some technological solutions work optimally with more data to conduct machine learning and big data analysis. The issue of privacy then plays a role. What are we willing to give up in order to have a technological advantage? A lot of social media and search platforms collect a lot of information about their users in order to optimize the results and generate revenue through advertisement. The topic of ethics in the world of technology has been a trending topic recently. There is even a sub-discipline dedicated to it called Technoethics. The popular tv series called silicon valley even had an episode dedicated to what they called “Tethics”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfRUQh_EHoQ According to Wikipedia, “Technoethics (TE) is an interdisciplinary research area that draws on theories and methods from multiple knowledge domains (such as communications, social sciences information studies, technology studies, applied ethics, and philosophy) to provide insights on ethical dimensions of technological systems and practices for advancing a technological society. Using theories and methods from multiple domains, technoethics provides insights on ethical aspects of technological systems and practices, examines technology-related social policies and interventions, and provides guidelines for how to ethically use new advancements in technology.” Many of the big tech companies are even more cognizant of Technoethics. Microsoft, being one of the biggest in the tech game, has recently divested their stake in a company called AnyVision that they made an investment in last year for 74M. AnyVision is somewhat of a controversial company that develops face recognition software. Their technology is impressive but could be controversial. Specifically, AnyVision, based out of Tel Aviv, became controversial following reports that it used the tech to surveil Palestinians who lived in the West Bank. The tech was being used at the checkpoints in border crossings. Microsoft pulling their investment is a good example of the application of Technoethics. To read more: https://www.anyvision.co/ https://youtu.be/Pi2TQTMGvSA
