Internet of Things (20)
Find narratives by ethical themes or by technologies.
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- 2 min
- Kinolab
- 1990
With his homing signal activated, the android Data takes control of the USS Enterprise and its systems and blocks the human crew from stopping him. For further reading, see the narrative Triton is the world’s most murderous malware, and it’s spreading.
- Kinolab
- 1990
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- 2 min
- Kinolab
- 1990
Data Takes Over: Robots and Humans in the Workplace
With his homing signal activated, the android Data takes control of the USS Enterprise and its systems and blocks the human crew from stopping him. For further reading, see the narrative Triton is the world’s most murderous malware, and it’s spreading.
What dangers can AI cause within institutions and systems, if it becomes remotely hijacked? Should AI ever be allowed to develop in such a way that they can block out human autonomy over a certain system?
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Data Takes Over-
- 7 min
- Kinolab
- 1968
Dr. Dave Bowman and Dr. Frank Poole are two astronauts on the mission Discovery to Jupiter. They are joined by HAL, an artificial intelligence machine named after the most recent iteration of his model, the HAL 9000 computer. HAL is seen as just another member of the crew based upon his ability to carry conversations with the other astronauts and his responsibilities for keeping the crew safe.
- Kinolab
- 1968
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- 7 min
- Kinolab
- 1968
HAL Part I: AI Camaraderie and Conversation
Dr. Dave Bowman and Dr. Frank Poole are two astronauts on the mission Discovery to Jupiter. They are joined by HAL, an artificial intelligence machine named after the most recent iteration of his model, the HAL 9000 computer. HAL is seen as just another member of the crew based upon his ability to carry conversations with the other astronauts and his responsibilities for keeping the crew safe.
Should humans count on AI entirely to help keep them safe in dangerous situations or environments? Do you agree with Dave’s assessment that one can “never tell” if an AI has real feelings? What counts as “real feelings”? Even if HAL’s human tendencies follow a line of programming, does this make them less real?
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- 50 min
- Science and Engineering Ethics
- 2022
Lindemann identifies grief bots as techno-social niches that change the affective emotional state of the user. With a focus on the dignity of the bereaved rather than the deceased, Lindemann argues that grief bots can both regulate and deregulate users’ emotions. Referring to them as pseudo-bonds, Lindemann does a very good job of trying to characterize a standard relationship with a grief bot. This article is mostly about the grief and well-being of users of griefbots.
- Science and Engineering Ethics
- 2022
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- 50 min
- Science and Engineering Ethics
- 2022
The Ethics of ‘Deathbots’
Lindemann identifies grief bots as techno-social niches that change the affective emotional state of the user. With a focus on the dignity of the bereaved rather than the deceased, Lindemann argues that grief bots can both regulate and deregulate users’ emotions. Referring to them as pseudo-bonds, Lindemann does a very good job of trying to characterize a standard relationship with a grief bot. This article is mostly about the grief and well-being of users of griefbots.
- What does Lindemann mean by internet-enabled techno-social niches, and what things exemplify them?
- After reading this paper, would you ever use–or allow your digital remains to create a deathbot? Why or why not?
- Outline the key data-protection and safety requirements you would test in a pilot program before approving any clinical deployment of grief bots.
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- 3 min
- TechCrunch
- 2021
This article presents several case studies of technologies introduced at CES which are specifically designed to help elderly people continue to live independently, mostly using smartphones and internets of things to monitor both the home environment and the physical health of the occupant.
- TechCrunch
- 2021
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- 3 min
- TechCrunch
- 2021
Startups at CES showed how tech can help elderly people and their caregivers
This article presents several case studies of technologies introduced at CES which are specifically designed to help elderly people continue to live independently, mostly using smartphones and internets of things to monitor both the home environment and the physical health of the occupant.
What implications do these technologies have for the agency of the senior citizens which they are meant to monitor? Does close surveillance truly equate to increased independence? Are there any other downsides or tradeoffs to these technologies?
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- 5 min
- Gizmodo
- 2020
This article describes the new Amazon Sidewalk feature and subsequently explains why users should not buy into this service. Essentially, this feature uses the internet of things created by Amazon devices such as the Echo or Ring camera to create a secondary network connecting nearby homes which also contain these devices, which is sustained by each home “donating” a small amount of broadband. It is explained that this is a dangerous concept because this smaller network may be susceptible to hackers, putting a large number of users at risk.
- Gizmodo
- 2020
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- 5 min
- Gizmodo
- 2020
You Need to Opt Out of Amazon Sidewalk
This article describes the new Amazon Sidewalk feature and subsequently explains why users should not buy into this service. Essentially, this feature uses the internet of things created by Amazon devices such as the Echo or Ring camera to create a secondary network connecting nearby homes which also contain these devices, which is sustained by each home “donating” a small amount of broadband. It is explained that this is a dangerous concept because this smaller network may be susceptible to hackers, putting a large number of users at risk.
Why are “secondary networks” like the one described here a bad idea in terms of both surveillance and data privacy? Is it possible for the world to be too networked? How can tech developers make sure the general public has a healthy skepticism toward new devices? Or is it ultimately Amazon’s job to think about the ethical implications of this secondary network before introducing it for profits?
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- 5 min
- Kinolab
- 1993
Jurassic Park is an under-review theme park where innovator John Hammond has managed to use computational genomics to revive the dinosaurs. The park is managed by a complex security system, involving an internet of things which connects security cameras, other monitors, and defense systems to the computers in the control room. Computer programmer Dennis Nedry, under command of a briber, uses malware to hack the computer systems and steal dinosaur DNA, turning the park into a very hostile environment for the scientists once the safety mechanisms fail.
- Kinolab
- 1993
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- 5 min
- Kinolab
- 1993
Systems Errors in Entertainment Areas
Jurassic Park is an under-review theme park where innovator John Hammond has managed to use computational genomics to revive the dinosaurs. The park is managed by a complex security system, involving an internet of things which connects security cameras, other monitors, and defense systems to the computers in the control room. Computer programmer Dennis Nedry, under command of a briber, uses malware to hack the computer systems and steal dinosaur DNA, turning the park into a very hostile environment for the scientists once the safety mechanisms fail.
How can workplaces be protected against hacks from someone who works within said workplace? Should safety systems be under the control of a small number of people or computers? Should volatile environments, such as nuclear power plants or dinosaur parks, be trusted with a security system involving a hackable internet of things? What are the alternatives? Is convenience worth the cost in this case?