CUNY Lehman College Computer Systems Discussing a Specific Technology Paper – Description
The Assignment
You must write a paper that in some way intersects with one or more of the types of ethical issues we discussed in this course. You may want to discuss how the adoption of a specific technology poses several ethical challenges for society (such as in a specific application of a narrow AI/ML technology). Or you may focus on the various ‘rights’ that are challenged by emerging technologies/technological innovations. Whatever your topic is, you must email me your topic by 5:00 p.m. Friday 6/23 for my approval. I highly advise you do so as early as possible once you have a topic in mind. (MY TOPIC IS “THE RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN)
The Format
Your paper will need five sections, not necessarily of equal length.
1. Background: This section will explain to the reader what you are discussing. Are you
discussing a specific technology (e.g. ChatGPT)? Or a specific ‘right’ (e.g. right to be forgotten)? You should not be arguing anything in this section. You just want to familiarize your reader with any technologies, concepts, or other things that may be unfamiliar to them.
2. Ethical Issue: What ethical issues are posed by the technology or technology-related practice discussed in the background? Who is harmed? Is this a systematic harm (e.g. disproportionately affecting members of specific groups); or a general harm to all humans?
3. Argument: Here is where you argue. This is where philosophers make their money. You must defend a position in response to the ethical issue. You may assert that adopting a particular technology is too ethically fraught and should be avoided. Or you may think the ethical concerns about a technology are unfounded and the technology doesn’t require any oversight. This should be controversial such that someone else could reasonably argue against your position.
4. Counterargument: If someone can argue against your position, they will. One way to make your argument stronger is to anticipate counterarguments to it. What might (or do) people say in response to an argument like yours? These will be the sorts of things that readers might think of themselves when evaluating your argument for the first time. You should aim to discuss 2-3 counterarguments.
5. Response: What are your responses to the counterarguments? Do they rely on obviously false information, or is there some plausibility to them? Do they undercut your whole argument, or just small parts of it?
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