Ryoko Asai

Can Machines Make Ethical Decisions

Independent systems and robots can be of great help to achieve goals and obtain optimal solutions to problems caused by the quantity, variation and complexity of information. However, we always face ethical issues related to the design as well as to the running of such systems. There are many problems, theoretical and practical, in integrating ethical decision making to robots. It is impossible to design or run such systems independently of human wish or will. Even if we create totally independent decision making systems, we would not want to lose control. Can we create really independent ethical decision systems? Recent research showed that emotions are necessary in the process of decision making. It seems that it is necessary for an independent decision system to have “emotions.” In other words, a kind of ultimate purpose is needed that can lead the decision process. This could make a system really independent and by that ethical.

Philosophy as the Road to Good ICT

Handling satisfactorily ICT ethics issues in the design as well as in the use of systems, demands continuous adjustment to relevant values. In privacy, robotics and sustainability, this can be achieved through the development of personal thinking skills and the establishment and running of suitable group processes. In ethical decision making it is important to make a distinction between thinking as a process, and value-content as the result of this process. By focusing on the process, i.e. philosophizing, the philosophical method of deliberative thinking, we can construct and apply tools to support ethical decision making during the development and the use of ICT systems.

Snowden’s revelations and the attitudes of students at Swedish universities

Purpose Mapping of Swedish students’ attitudes toward Snowden’s revelations and their effects in the political and socio-cultural environment of Sweden. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was answered by 190 Swedish University students. The quantitative responses to the survey were statistically analysed as well as qualitative considerations of free text answers. Findings Swedish students had a high level of knowledge of Snowden revelations, they actively searched for information, they gave a positive judgement of Snowden’s actions and they were willing to follow his example in Sweden but not the US. They trusted their country and most of its institutions and authorities except for secret service agencies and Internet and computer software companies. Practical implications Design of education for university students, especially in Information Technology programs. Originality/value This study is part of a bigger international study to map students’ attitudes toward Snowden’s revelations and their ...

Tools and Methods for Security: Stimulating the Skill to Philosophize

Finding optimal solutions to security issues is very difficult or impossible. Conflicting interests and values decide what has to be done. Every thinkable answer contains both risks and possibilities. I our effort to find solutions we have always to negotiate and make compromises. A dialectic process is necessary in security in order to identify significant interests and values, and to formulate principles and policies. Handling security issues and working for secure IT systems demand continuous adjustment to relevant values as well as the necessary personal skills and suitable group processes. Focusing on the method and making sure that the right way of proceeding has been adopted is the way to get satisfactory answers to the problems of IT security. The philosophical method of deliberative thinking seems to be the basis of such methods.