Ateneo - UPO

Elements of ethics applied to digital innovation issues

Fabio Fossa, Viola Schiaffonati and Guglielmo Tamburrini (eds.), Automi e persone. Introduzione all'etica dell'intelligenza artificiale e della robotica. Carocci 2021 , seven chapters of your choice.

Cathy O'Neil, Armi di distruzione matematica. Bompiani 2017 (also English ed.: Weapons of math destruction: How big data increases inequality and threatens democracy. Crown, 2017), two chapters of your choice.

Any other readings poster by the teacher on DIR during the course .

- Introduction to digital ethics and its conceptual foundations

- Analysis of the main ethical theories and their applications in the digital context

- Development of ethical argumentation skills based on a sound understanding of ethical principles and their applications in the digital world

- Promotion of self-reflection and critical awareness of the ethical impact of one's digital actions

- Critical evaluation of existing laws and regulations in the digital environment

Basic computer knowledge

Lectures, class discussions, use of audiovisual tools

Students are strongly recommended to follow the course page updates posted on DIR for supplementary and supporting lecture material as well as the detailed syllabus.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request
specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse

e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-
students-physical-or-learning-disabilities

Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted
the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination
modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Oral Examination. The exam will consist of four questions or, for those who wish, three questions and in-class presentation and discussion of papers (PPTs, short essays or videos, produced individually or in groups ) on course topics previously agreed upon with the lecturer.

Those submitting a pr masentation ey bring--in addition to O'Neil's 2 chapters--only 4 chapters of “Automi e persone” on topics other than those covered in the presentation.

For sufficiency, correct answers to three questions are required. For full marks and honors, a thorough answer to four questions or three questions and submission of a paper is required. Active participation in class discussion will be assessed up to two points.

1. Autonomous machine problem and
different formulations of the 'trolley problem' - Main types of solutions to moral dilemmas. Main trends in contemporary ethics applied to digital society
2. Autonomous weapons and related ethical problems
3. Social and moral consequences of algorithmic biases
4. The new hidden persuaders: the deep nudge and its ethical implications
5. From ethics to legislation: orientations of European legislation on artificial intelligence
5. Gender issues: discussion of some algorithmic biases, including gender biases

1. Knowledge and understanding:
- Introduction to digital ethics and its conceptual foundations.
- Study of the ethical implications of digital technological advances.
- Analysis of the main ethical theories and their applications in the digital context.
- Examination of issues of privacy, digital accessibility and fairness in the digital age.
2. Application of knowledge and understanding:
- Case study regarding ethical dilemmas in the digital context.
- Analysis and discussion of ethical scenarios arising from the use of digital technologies in specific sectors.
- Development of critical skills to evaluate and solve ethical problems in the digital environment.
3. Autonomous judgement:
- Deepening ethical skills to make informed and responsible decisions in complex digital contexts.
- Critical evaluation of existing ethical policies, laws and rules in the digital environment.
- Development of ethical argumentation skills based on a sound understanding of ethical principles and their applications in the digital world.
4. Communication skills:
- Development of effective communication skills in presenting and discussing ethical issues related to the digital world.
- Practice in accurate and persuasive writing of documents addressing ethical dilemmas in the digital context.
- Use of digital media to promote debate and awareness on digital ethics.
5. Learning skills:
- Development of a continuous learning mindset to stay abreast of emerging ethical issues in the digital context.
- Promotion of self-reflection and critical awareness of the ethical impact of one's digital actions.
- Ability to adapt and respond to ethical changes resulting from technological innovations in the digital world.