Ways in which technology can assist persons with disabilities
Assistive Technologies (21)
Find narratives by ethical themes or by technologies.
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- 5 min
- Vice
- 2020
Robot researches in Japan have recently begun to use robotic “monster wolves” to help control wildlife populations by keeping them out of human civilizations or agricultural areas. These robots are of interest to robot engineers who work in environmentalism because although the process of engineering a robot does not help the environment, the ultimate good accomplished by robots which help control wildlife populations may outweigh this cost.
- Vice
- 2020
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- 5 min
- Vice
- 2020
Robotic Beasts, Wildlife Control, and Environmental Impact
Robot researches in Japan have recently begun to use robotic “monster wolves” to help control wildlife populations by keeping them out of human civilizations or agricultural areas. These robots are of interest to robot engineers who work in environmentalism because although the process of engineering a robot does not help the environment, the ultimate good accomplished by robots which help control wildlife populations may outweigh this cost.
Discussion Prompts:
What are all the ways, aside from those mentioned in the article, in which robots and robotics could be utilised in environmentalist and conservationist causes? How could robots meant to tell wildlife where not to travel be misused?
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- 10 min
- The New York Times
- 2021
This article tells the story of Chris Merkle, a former U.S Marine soldier who was able to work through former traumatic memories and PTSD using virtual realities similar to his lived experiences in war as a form of exposure therapy. As virtual reality sets become more affordable and commercialized, and as experts and universities develop more impressive virtual and augmented reality technologies, the opportunities for exposure therapy through VR technology become far more widespread, with the potential to help civilian disorders and traumas as well as those of veterans.
- The New York Times
- 2021
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- 10 min
- The New York Times
- 2021
Virtual Reality Aids in Exposure Therapy
This article tells the story of Chris Merkle, a former U.S Marine soldier who was able to work through former traumatic memories and PTSD using virtual realities similar to his lived experiences in war as a form of exposure therapy. As virtual reality sets become more affordable and commercialized, and as experts and universities develop more impressive virtual and augmented reality technologies, the opportunities for exposure therapy through VR technology become far more widespread, with the potential to help civilian disorders and traumas as well as those of veterans.
Discussion Prompts:
How can it be ensured that this type of therapy is accessible to all people? How can it be ensured that this type of therapy does not interfere with other forms of therapy or treatment? Should this become the norm for treating mental health disorders? How might this alter people’s perceptions of reality, for better or for worse?
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- 3 min
- Kinolab
- 2020
Nora works as an “angel” figure, or assistant, in the digital afterlife known as Lakeview. Her job is to help digitally immortal residents of this afterlife, such as Nathan, acclimate to their surroundings and their digital existences. However, Nora decides to take her breaks from work in the same virtual reality in which she operates during her job.
- Kinolab
- 2020
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- 3 min
- Kinolab
- 2020
Real vs. Virtual Assistance
Nora works as an “angel” figure, or assistant, in the digital afterlife known as Lakeview. Her job is to help digitally immortal residents of this afterlife, such as Nathan, acclimate to their surroundings and their digital existences. However, Nora decides to take her breaks from work in the same virtual reality in which she operates during her job.
Discussion Prompts:
Should virtual reality spaces be operated, moderated, and served by human customer service reps, to ensure the best experience? Or is it possible to automate customer service too? How might virtual assistants such as Siri change the nature of people’s relationships with human service reps? Should the people who work on VR projects be given special access to it? Could VR worlds be used as a viable way for employees to relax during breaks?
Movie Title:
Upload: Customer Service-
- 7 min
- Kinolab
- 2014
Matt tells Joe Potter about how he used to train uploaded consciousnesses to take care of people’s homes. After somebody’s brain is copied and uploaded onto a cookie, the copy is often unwilling to perform the menial tasks asked of them. However, once the consciousness is inside the “cookie,” time can be manipulated however the real people see fit in order to coerce cooperation for the coded digital consciousness.
- Kinolab
- 2014
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- 7 min
- Kinolab
- 2014
Repetitive Code as a Menial Laborer
Matt tells Joe Potter about how he used to train uploaded consciousnesses to take care of people’s homes. After somebody’s brain is copied and uploaded onto a cookie, the copy is often unwilling to perform the menial tasks asked of them. However, once the consciousness is inside the “cookie,” time can be manipulated however the real people see fit in order to coerce cooperation for the coded digital consciousness.
Discussion Prompts:
Can we upload consciousness in order to make our lives easier? How do we ethically treat a digital consciousness? How can digital beings be put to good use in our lives? As AI potentially become more humanoid, is it justifiable to continue assigning them long repetitive tasks?
Movie Title:
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- 5 min
- Wired
- 2015
Often, gender bias is consciously or subconsciously embedded into the performance of virtual voice assistants, without considering some science surrounding linguistics or gender.
- Wired
- 2015
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- 5 min
- Wired
- 2015
Siri and Cortana Sound Like Ladies Because of Sexism
Often, gender bias is consciously or subconsciously embedded into the performance of virtual voice assistants, without considering some science surrounding linguistics or gender.
Discussion Prompts:
What are the consequences of not addressing such gender bias as virtual voice assistants become more and more “human”? How has the profit motive played a role in this type of gender bias?
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- 5 min
- Science Alert
- 2019
A newly revealed patent application filed by Amazon raises privacy concerns over an upgrade to the virtual assistant Alexa, in which the system records everything a users says in 10-30 second bits to look out for a command.
- Science Alert
- 2019
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- 5 min
- Science Alert
- 2019
Newly Released Amazon Patent Shows Just How Much Creepier Alexa Can Get
A newly revealed patent application filed by Amazon raises privacy concerns over an upgrade to the virtual assistant Alexa, in which the system records everything a users says in 10-30 second bits to look out for a command.
Discussion Prompts:
Is having a virtual assistant constantly listening “Big Brother-like” behavior? Can Amazon and other companies be trusted to not abuse this data? How much transparency would be needed to make this acceptable?