Engineering students are the future of technology development and deployment. As such, they need to consider the ethical implications of technology adoption. Ethical considerations of technology adoption ensure that technology is used responsibly. One of the primary reasons why ethics is important in technology adoption is that technology can have significant impacts on society. For example, algorithms based on commercial data can allow firms to sell products they assume we can afford and avoid showing us products they assume we cannot. Technologies can also be morally contentious by “forcing deep reflection on personal values and societal norms”. Technologies have embedded values or politics, as they make some actions easier or more difficult, or even work differently for different groups of people. Therefore, engineering students must ensure that technology is developed and deployed in a way that is fair and equitable.

Another reason why ethics is important in technology adoption is that technology can have adverse effects on people. Technology can threaten individual autonomy, violate privacy rights, and directly harm individuals financially and physically. Therefore, engineering students must ensure that technology is developed and deployed in a way that is safe and secure for all.

If you’re an engineering student interested in learning more about the ethical considerations of technology adoption, you might want to check out the book “Ethics, Law and Technology Adoption: Navigating Technology Adoption Challenges” by Dr. Steven A. Wright. The book provides insights into the main ethical frameworks and principles that can inform decision-making and accountability in technology development and deployment, as well as the key legal issues and challenges that emerge from the interaction of new technologies and old laws. You can purchase the book on Amazon.

Ethics is an essential consideration for engineering students when adopting new technologies. It is important to ensure that technology is developed and deployed in a way that is fair, equitable, safe, and secure for all. By considering the ethical implications of technology adoption, engineering students can help to ensure that technology is used responsibly. Ultimately, this will help to build trust between organizations and the public and ensure that technology is used to benefit society as a whole.