Looking Back or Looking Ahead?
Shade Academia Weekly Newsletter – Business and Law
Happy Friday everybody!
Once again we are going to explore one of our favorite topics, artificial intelligence; however, this time we are going to glance at it from a different lens, almost literally since the problem at hand arose with the use of Google Glass. While this is an older topic, I find it fascinating to look back on the current surge in various AI software and the frequent advancements we are seeing with it. We believe this will serve as an excellent learning opportunity to view what were the concerns associated with this software at the time and how can we use this information to make conclusions going forward. Now grab your Friday beverage of choice and dive into today's lesson with us, we hope you enjoy!
Understanding Ethical Implications of Google Glass Through Technological Mediation
In the digital age, technology's impact on our lives extends far beyond convenience. It reshapes our values, our relationships, and even our understanding of fundamental concepts like privacy. A fascinating exploration of this is found in the study of Google Glass, a wearable technology that, while innovative, sparked significant ethical debates, especially around privacy. The focus of the article "Ethics from Within: Google Glass, the Collingridge Dilemma, and the Mediated Value of Privacy" by Olya Kudina and Peter-Paul Verbeek is to understand how technologies like Google Glass influence and change the values we hold, using the concept of technological mediation as a lens.
The Research Focus
The central question addressed in this research is how technologies like Google Glass can change the frameworks of value by which they are judged. This is particularly challenging when considering the Collingridge dilemma, which posits that early in a technology's development, it's hard to see its full impact on society, but by the time these impacts are clear, it’s too late to influence the technology's direction. The authors explore this dilemma by analyzing online discussions about Google Glass to see how public perception of privacy shifts in response to this new technology.
Methodology and Findings
The research involved a detailed analysis of YouTube comments on videos related to Google Glass, particularly focusing on privacy concerns. The study found that people's understanding of privacy is not static but evolves in response to how technologies are used and discussed. For example, Google Glass, with its ability to record and share experiences seamlessly, blurred the lines between public and private spaces, leading to new interpretations and debates about what privacy means. This investigation highlighted the dynamic nature of values like privacy, showing that they are co-constructed by both the technology and the users.
Impact on the Future
This research offers valuable insights into the future of technology development and ethics. By demonstrating how technologies can mediate and even redefine our values, it suggests that anticipating these changes should be a crucial part of the design process. Instead of trying to predict all possible outcomes, the concept of technological mediation encourages us to study how users interact with technology in real time and how their values evolve in response. This approach could lead to more responsible innovation, where the ethical implications of technology are considered throughout its development, not just as an afterthought.
Connection to Everyday Life
For the average person, this research highlights the importance of staying aware of how new technologies might change not just how we live, but what we value. As technologies like augmented reality glasses become more common, they will likely continue to challenge our traditional notions of privacy, communication, and even identity. Being mindful of these changes can help us navigate the ethical complexities of the digital age and make informed decisions about the technologies we choose to adopt.
The study of Google Glass through the lens of technological mediation provides a critical understanding of how technology and human values are intertwined. It challenges us to think deeply about the ethical implications of new technologies and to consider how they might shape our future. As we continue to innovate, it is essential to ask not just what technology can do, but how it might change the way we see the world and ourselves. Click here
Deeper Thinking Questions:
- How might other emerging technologies, like AI or biotechnology, similarly challenge and change our ethical frameworks?
- What responsibilities do technology developers have in anticipating and addressing the ethical implications of their products?
- How can society ensure that ethical considerations keep pace with rapid technological advancements?
Stay tuned for more exciting research next week. Thank you for being a part of Shade Academia!