Roberto Bloom
December 16, 2023
As we integrate the technological marvels that will define the year 2024, we must also think about the ethical responsibility and social impact these advances will have. In an increasingly connected and technology-driven world, it is important to consider the ethical and social implications of technological advances to ensure that their impact is beneficial to all and as equitable as possible.
Artificial intelligence (AI) will be the first technology we should consider its advances because of its ethical implications for individuals and society.
Algorithmic decision making of AI models is subject to inherent biases in the data sets used to train these systems. By 2024, procedures will be implemented to address equality and transparency, ensuring mechanisms do not perpetuate unfair discrimination. Ethical responsibility in AI involves creating a regulatory framework that protects individual rights and prevents the creation of autonomous systems that act against basic human ethical values. Therefore, in 2024, the interdisciplinary work of philosophers and ethicists, sociologists, psychologists, politicians, and technologists and engineers must focus on the innovation of new AI systems to ensure that artificial intelligence leads to more fair and transparent decisions.
Another technological advance that we will certainly see in 2024 is “augmented reality” (AR) and its impact on people’s privacy, so finding a balance between the extremes will be a challenge.
With reality expanding into different areas of life, the challenge arises of maintaining a balance between innovation and privacy protection. AR apps collect vast amounts of data about user behavior and preferences. In 2024, discussions about regulating the collection and use of this data will ensure that individual privacy is not sacrificed for technological convenience. Social responsibility means setting clear boundaries and giving users control over their personal information.
We need to consider the increasing speed of “5G networks” through technological innovation and digital divides where new digital networks can create barriers between individuals and communities rather than building bridges.
While „5G networks” promise high-speed connectivity, they also exacerbate digital divides. By 2024, recognize the need to address the digital divide that holds some communities back. Social responsibility must ensure that everyone has access to the opportunities the technology offers and efforts to bring 5G infrastructure to marginalized areas. Additionally, digital education programs should be implemented to close the skill gap and ensure that no one is left behind in the digital age.
„Blockchains” have the potential to create more trust. „Blockchain” technology offers the opportunity to create increasingly robust and reliable systems. Although this technology promises transparency and security, its mass adoption also presents ethical and social challenges. Decentralization may threaten some traditional business models, and asset tokenization may lead to new forms of financial inequality. Ethical responsibility in this context involves creating regulations that balance innovation with economic and social stability, ensuring that trust in blockchain systems does not compromise the integrity of the financial system.
Finally, we must mention the undoubted advances in biotechnology and medical practice and their serious ethical implications. By 2024, efforts should be made to ensure equity in the use of new medical technologies in the health care of individuals.
Biotechnology, with its potential to personalize medical treatments, raises ethical questions about equity in access to these technologies. By 2024, addressing the access gap to improved healthcare is essential. Social responsibility drives policies that ensure that the benefits of personalized medicine are not limited to a few, but are accessible to all of society. In addition, ethical frameworks should be established to ensure that genetic information is handled cautiously, avoiding potential abuse and discrimination.
In conclusion, as we celebrate the potential technological achievements of 2024, we must also be aware of the ethical and social challenges that accompany these innovations. The onus falls on developers, legislators, and society as a whole to ensure that technology is used for the common good, and not to perpetuate inequalities or violate fundamental rights. Navigating these technological waters requires not only technical ingenuity, but an unwavering commitment to the ethical principles and values of a society of free and responsible people.