Technological Innovation - We Can't Slow Down, So What Can We Do?

The advancements made within the realm of technology have expedited human convenience, productivity, and irrefutably, economic growth for a small percentage of the population. While the premise of this field operates to establish an ease of life for the majority of the first world nations, its execution has proven to benefit only a small margin of the world, while financially benefiting an even smaller group of individuals. This certainly validates the concern as to the ethics and ulterior motives of technology innovation and raises the question as to how its progress can be altered to benefit the world population as opposed to those who already retain spots at the top of the socioeconomic hierarchy.

Self-Governing and Government Regulations

Learning from the Cambridge Analytica Scandal (Ma, 2019), the line between data privacy and user consent has been blurred in recent years. By issuing self-governing and enforcing government regulations, technology companies stand the chance of being limited in the capabilities of the platforms they provide. The idea of Data Taxing can prevent such companies from amassing unreasonable amounts of user data, which in turn can limit their opportunities from understanding their user more than they need to. With ineffable algorithmic efficiency, data collection goes a long way with adhering to the lifestyle of the user and seamlessly integrating its capabilities into their daily routines. The Social Dilemma reveals an excellent tactic used by tech companies such that they profit from our attention and our time dedicated to their platforms (Rhodes & Orlowski, 2020). By consuming countless hours of our lives every day, these innovations ironically prevent users from going out and adding to society, thereby completely counteracting the goal of productivity growth. Thus, by ensuring complete and understandable disclosure as to the use of data and what type of data is being collected, and by enforcing this through strict laws, users can at least provide informed consent. Complete disclosure of data usage enforced by government policies can pressure technology companies into considering moral dilemmas and ethical concerns into their privilege of self-governing.

Responsible Leadership

An industry as colossal and impactful as it has become, the realm of technology is in dire need of responsible leadership. Stanford offers a Persuasive Technology Lab (Rhodes & Orlowski, 2020), educating students on the integration of psychological manipulation with technology to be used in the successful attempt of seizing the attention of its users. Understanding human behaviour and manipulating it to benefit financially as a company is ingenious, however it poses a prominent ethical dilemma. The user is so unaware of these tactics due to its seamless integration into their lives; a simple new feature on a device for the user could mean countless hours of attention and data provided to the company that made it. While it poses no immediate threat, these minor adjustments certainly accumulate and lead to economic growth. In essence, the user is blind to the tactics being used on them, just as in the case of the Cambridge Analytica Scandal (Ma, 2019). As just one example, in order to prevent the repetition of history, courses such as the Persuasive Technology Lab should make sure to teach the pros, and just as importantly, the cons of psychological manipulation within technology. This level of leadership should in fact be a responsibility of such prestigious institutions, whose students embark on the journey of adding to technological innovation. Ethics in Engineering is a mandatory topic of education given previous wrongdoings and mishaps, whether it be Y2K, the collapse of the Quebec Bridge, or more recently, the Cambridge Analytica Scandal. It is crucial to learn from mistakes in order to actively prevent them from occurring again. By educating the incoming generation of tech moguls, we stand the chance of operating differently and hopefully, more ethically.

Bring AI To The People Faster

While slowing down technological advancements may not be the most beneficial tactic, it is important to at least bring to focus more human-centered goals. The privilege of this innovation is limited mainly to first world nations, those who need it the least. Issues such as clean water distribution, education for those less privileged, and basic safety and security are all prominent due to a lack of resources and money. By shifting focus and employing these advancements in the attempt to relieve such problems, technology gains the possibility of truly benefiting the global population. Moreover, with enormous funds, tech companies have more power than most of the population to actually tackle such injustices. By refocusing its goals towards lifting the population to a more equitable playing field, tech companies may even profit longterm from a surge of viable citizens who now have a greater opportunity to give back to its advancements. What is now questioned to be a double-edged sword could soon become win-win for all stakeholders.

The path and speed at which technological innovation progresses brings to light the ethical concerns pertaining to the stakeholders that benefit the most. While first world nations have access to its capabilities and an even more esoteric group benefits financially, there are plausible routes that can be taken to alter the intentions of technological advancements. By issuing stricter policies, enforcing responsible leadership, and broadening implementation towards serving those who need it the most, the premise of technological innovation retains the possibility of optimizing its true potential.