This week\'s reading is lengthier than usual, but the issues raised are fascinat

Question

This week's reading is lengthier than usual, but the issues raised are fascinating. Feel free to skim some areas of the article, focusing on the sections of most interest to you personally. Then consider what you have read, in combination with your own experience, in addressing on of the issues listed below. You do not need to answer every question listed below the topic you choose, but they provide an example of the sort of reflection we are hoping to see in your responses.

Employment in the Big Data Era

The article states that in the next 10-20 years, around 50% of today's jobs could potentially be done by algorithms. What thoughts do you have on this statement? Does it seem believable to you -- can you find another source that agrees or disagrees with this claim? If you find a source that disputes this claim, which source seems more reliable to you? Why? If you think this prediction could be possible, how will it affect your plans for the future? If you don't think the prediction is likely to come to pass, why not?

Ethics of "smart everything"

The article reports that in 10 years’ time, an estimated 150 billion networked sensors will be collecting data -- more than 20 sensors per global inhabitant. What are some possible consequences of such extreme monitoring of our world? Will crime disappear? Will privacy continue to exist in any form? What are some possible benefits of living in such a connected world? What are some potential drawbacks? Given your two lists, what do you think is the "right" approach to take regarding collection of and access to personal data.

"Citizen scores"

Were you aware of the use of big data analysis as a way of implementing social control policy in China? How likely do you think it is that such a

"citizen score" might be implemented in the United States? What reasons do you have for your opinion (give examples or explain your reasoning)? Do you think implementing such a system would be beneficial or detrimental to our society, and why?

All-knowing algorithms

Consider the following quote from the article:

"Today, algorithms know pretty well what we do, what we think and how we feel—possibly even better than our friends and family or even ourselves." Do you think this is an accurate statement? Have you seen evidence in your own life that makes you believe in the validity (or lack thereof) of this statement? Do you think these algorithms that are analyzing the data collected on us are fair and impartial? Or do you think they could be prone to error and bias? Give examples that support for your position or explain your reasoning.

Legal issues

How do you think connected devices should be regulated? Who is responsible for ensuring that these technologies are used appropriately? And who defines what "appropriate uses" are? Who is responsible for damage done by hackers or system failures? Should super personalized advertising and pricing be permitted, given how likely we are to be susceptible to such marketing tactics?

Personal data

Consider the following quote from the article:

"There should also be a right to get a copy of personal data collected about us."

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Do you think it is even possible to "get a copy" of all your personal data? Europe has instituted such a "Right to a Copy" policy. What organizational infrastructure do you think would need to be in place to supply such information to everyone? Would a comprehensive "dump" of all your information be practical, or do you think some sort of summarized report would be sufficient? If summarized, what data should such a report include?

Web search result manipulations

The article discusses how internet search results can be manipulated to present a user with a biased view of the topic being researched. Manipulations of this sort have been shown to influence behavior in significant ways (e.g. voting). Consider your own search habits? Do you think you are susceptible to such manipulations? Do you think you actually have been exposed to such manipulated results? Can you think of ways to ensure you do see all sides of an issue? How might you go about making a determination on the validity of the search results you are presented? Should there be regulations covering internet search results? If so, what sort of regulations? If not, why not?

Opting out

Consider the following quote from the article:

"But is there any way out? Yes, if we disconnect from the cybernetic loop and simply stop responding to the digital stimulus."

Do you think this is a reasonable or practical solution? Or would disconnecting be essentially disconnecting from society? What measures do you think people can take to limit their exposure to the connected world?

Should they? Under what circumstances? Discuss benefits and risks of NOT being part of the connected society.

For full credit, read the above article and any other relevant articles that you can find on the web (provide links), select 3-4 issues highlighted ab

Explanation / Answer

1) Employment in the Big Data Era

I am completely agree with the above statement that nearly 50% of today’s job will be automated in the next 10-20 years. Yes it is completely believable as science and technology are growing at a very high pace. Especially in field of artificial intelligence and robots. Drones are using for deliveries of products and replacing humans and that will slowly cut down jobs for humans for delivering of products in nearby future. Likewise driverless trains and cars are also getting into play that will also short down the jobs for humans. This will highly impact the jobs for humans.

I found another source from internet that also claims this is possible. According to them 47% of jobs could be computerized in near future. According to them, jobs in transportation, logistics, as well as office and administrative support, are at huge risk due to automation.

Detecting frauds and trading of stocks are now monitored by software after coming of big data concept. Such improvements in algorithms over human perception will be becoming common.

Technological advancement like robots will replace manual labor in field of agriculture, construction as well as household purposes such as cleaning etc.This will definitely affects the low wage jobs and unemployment will increase significantly.

I agree with this completely and this is possible. This will definitely affect the plans for the future as automation will short down the jobs for humans. But there can be some new openings of job due to automation in future.

2) Legal issues

Cyber security is very important in this world of internet. Every human uses internet daily and shares their personal information on it. Stealing of confidential information is becoming popular phenomenon nowadays. And this requires strict policy and laws against it to stop these cyber-crimes.

Government should ensure these crimes should be stopped. They should make some strict laws against it. And punished the criminal to set the example so that anyone will think before doing such crimes.

Everything has its own pros and cons. Hacking is beneficial in case of making system more secure but stealing of information via hacking is crime. Hackers should be responsible for the damage done by him and he should pay for all the damages. Personalized advertising and pricing should be permitted but with limitations. This should be done under proper security so as to protect it from theft.

There should be some programs organized by government to deal with this kind of tactics. This awareness should be spread to each and every corner in the world.

3) Web search result manipulations

I am completely agree with the above statement. Search results on internet are manipulated and change the view of individual. This kind of manipulations are against the ethics and should be punishable.

I am also dependent on internet search results and make decision based on search results not only professionally but also personally. We are not susceptible to such kind of tactics and affects everyone’s views and ideas. We all are victim to such things. We generally see the first page of search results and never see the second page and first page results are manipulated by search engine. Hence our ideas and views changes and rely on results searched on internet. This also happens in case of voting.

The search engine could search a candidate and adjust his/her rankings accordingly when searched on internet. Hence, one who has little privilege and/or hacking skills can adjust the rankings of candidate. Since candidate rankings influences voters and can change their views against him.

We cannot validate the search result outcome whether it is right or wrong. Government should make some policies to stop this. There should some strict policies that every search engine optimization company should follows that could limit these type of manipulations on internet. Government should build some regulations against it to stop such manipulations.Like there should be unbiased search on searching on some topic. There should be unbiased algorithms developed by programmers that results in neutral search. And these algorithms should be regressively tested under laws and policies developed by government. Government should take quick action against such manipulations.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.