1 minute read
WHAT THE EXPERIENCE TELLS US
In a complex world being an innovator, a trailblazer, a visionary is not enough. Working in isolation is not enough. Working from one perspective, one discipline, one point of view is not enough. We need to find new ways to collaborate and make sense of the complex world we live in. Joining forces help complement each other such as the ethical evaluation of the Corona Melder app.
• Academics systematically study the world as is and design how the world could be. They are a driver of knowledge.
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• The industry is the fuel of the economy wherein innovation happens, where solutions are produced and deployed in society.
• Governments know how to drive policymaking.
• Civic Society is the beating heart of our society, which retains practical knowledge about everyday life
Arguably, you cannot innovate without a combination of the above. Each of this expertise matter and they should be combined to deal with our complex society. However, we lack effective frameworks to do so: the ones available appear to fall short. In addition, we must take into account that tackling a challenge takes enormous social and moral efforts.
Whatever solution we come up with, a technology, a product, or a service, the solution shapes us: it changes the way we interact and the way we live. It influences our norms and values in multiple and often unforeseen ways. It shapes human actions and practices. It mediates our knowledge of the world.
Let’s take again the example of Covid-19. Who should take responsibility for the impact of technological solutions like Corona applications for the mobile phone? The developers? The policymakers? The people using the platform?
Well, all of them should tackle the ethical questions this technology brings.
There should be a way to anticipate the impact of the technology during the design process and account for the values and norms of society.
Peter-Paul Verbeek, Professor Philosophy of Technology
How to tackle challenges in a responsible way, then? How can we make sure that what we design today will not negatively impact our tomorrow?
