The possibilities of ethical ICT

Since 1995 the ETHICOMP conference series has provided a forum to discuss the ethical and social issues surrounding Information and Communication Technology. During that time over 900 papers have been presented at 12 conferences by individuals from all parts of the world. But ETHICOMP is more than this – it is an interdisciplinary community dedicated to exploring issues and seeking ways forward. Conferences are enjoyable, stimulating and highly interactive events. Collaborative ventures including co-authorship and funded research have been spawned by this supportive and inclusive network.

ETHICOMP 2013 will be hosted by the Institute of Business Communication and Information Science at University of Southern Denmark on the Kolding Campus. Local representatives Dr Anne Gerdes, and Gitte Møldrup together with international representative Professor William Fleischman will join the ETHICOMP co-founders Professor Terry Bynum and Professor Simon Rogerson as co-directors of the event.

The aim is to explore from a range of perspectives the complex and often interrelated ethical and social issues surrounding pervasive ICT.

In order to do this there are two broad themes for the conference

Process

Process concerns the activities of ICT professionals when undertaking research, development and service/product delivery. Four areas will be explored under this theme:

• Education and Training: e.g. e-learning; learning for life; digital tutors; robot learning; the nature and content of ethically sensitive ICT education and training
• Design: e.g. value driven; participative
• Governance: e.g. internet; closed networks; clouds
• Conduct: e.g. professionals, users

Product

Product concerns the outcome of professional ICT endeavor and the potential impact of these products on people, society and the environment.

• Application Areas and Impacts: e.g.  social space; work place; environmental impacts and safeguards; health
• Emerging Technologies: e.g. robotics; nano technology; welfare technology, artificial companions
• Embedded ethical values
• Technological Integrity