Next-Generation Ethics: Engineering a Better Society

Description

Many of the significant developments of our era have resulted from advances in technology, including the design of large-scale systems; advances in medicine, manufacturing, and artificial intelligence; the role of social media in influencing behaviour and toppling governments; and the surge of online transactions that are replacing human face-to-face interactions. These advances have given rise to new kinds of ethical concerns around the uses (and misuses) of technology. This collection of essays by prominent academics and technology leaders covers important ethical questions arising in modern industry, offering guidance on how to approach these dilemmas. Chapters discuss what we can learn from the ethical lapses of #MeToo, Volkswagen, and Cambridge Analytica, and highlight the common need across all applications for sound decision-making and understanding the implications for stakeholders. Technologists and general readers with no formal ethics training and specialists exploring technological applications to the field of ethics will benefit from this overview.

Ali E. Abbas is Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering and Public Policy at the University of Southern California, where he also directs the USC Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making. His research focuses on decision analysis, multiattribute utility theory, and ethical decision-making, and he is the recipient of multiple awards from the National Science Foundation for his work. Dr Abbas has authored numerous books, including Foundations of Multiattribute Utility (Cambridge, 2018) and Foundations of Decision Analysis (2015) with co-author Ronald A. Howard. He is also co-editor of numerous edited volumes, including Improving Homeland Security Decisions (Cambridge, 2017).

'This is a comprehensive book, looking at the subject of ethics from many angles - individual ethics, corporate guidelines, and societal norms; engineering, business, and legal domains; codes of ethics, regulations, and natural law. It takes us back to early cases of ethics in corporate conduct in the 1950s, and up to date with the latest implications of artificial intelligence, bioengineering, virtual reality, and the internet of things. Everyone should be concerned with ethics, and there's something for everyone here.' Peter Norvig, Research Director, Google 'Professor Ali E. Abbas and his contributors have skillfully utilised their impressive academic and professional experience and perceptively addressed noteworthy ethical issues affecting technology, business, engineering and the society. This illuminating and unique book, is highly recommended and I believe it could also be considered as a must read book of ethics for the next generation of leaders.' Najmedin Meshkati, University of Southern California 'Next Generation Ethics is an exciting compendium of information and opinions about the new arising ethical situations and how we might deal with them. Of particular note is Chapter 2 by Ronald Howard on 'Building your Ethical Code'. Then in the Technology section; Chapter 5, an interview with Vint Cerf, a luminary of the internet, and Chapter 6, A Hippocratic Oath for Technologists, as well as a couple of good discussions of artificial intelligence. The book then proceeds to large sections on ethics in business enterprises, engineering and even society, including public policy, legal, medical, journalism, and religion. Anyone interested in the ethical challenges we are now facing should scan this book to awaken to our manifold ethical challenges, extract immediately useful information, and keep it as a ready reference.' Jim Matheson, SmartOrg, Inc '... a broad and comprehensive learning and teaching book to use and discuss ...' Mandi Astola, Prometheus