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  • 1.  AI and Engineering Ethics

    Posted 05-27-2021 09:13 AM

    AI is becoming integral to design of systems in all engineering fields. This raises new ethical issues for engineers.  What are some ways this is being and can be addressed in teaching design and in engineering programs in general?


    See for a start


    AI & Ethics - Nordic Engineers 

    https://nordicengineers.org/artificial-intelligence/



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    William Kelly Ph.D., P.E., ENV SP, F.ASCE
    MR
    St Michaels MD
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  • 2.  RE: AI and Engineering Ethics

    Posted 10-24-2021 09:19 PM
    What most people still consider AI comes from classic sci-fi franchises like The Terminator and The Matrix. In these franchises, one present-day issue I see with the human characters is that systems are either dismissing or overriding the human experience. In the first Terminator, several characters who die were being distracted by modern-day technology, a la horror characters who were too distracted with themselves and each other to notice the killer standing by; and in the second Matrix, The Architect reveals to Neo that after two futile efforts to lock every human into a fantasy land, he realized he had to insert choice into the programming so rebellion against him could be cyclically subverted.

    I think both of these can be addressed within engineering programs themselves. That despite how much progress we've suddenly made in technology, there still need to be human eyes and elements to all the parts of the systems that keep this work flowing.

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    Alexander Granato A.M.ASCE
    Student
    Bexley OH
    granato.3@...
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  • 3.  RE: AI and Engineering Ethics

    Posted 10-26-2021 01:07 PM

    An interesting topic that deserves everyone's attention. It is because, AI – in terms of AIPPS (AI-Powered Products and Services) are present in whatever we do and use – and it's going to be more overwhelming in time to come. By default, engineers (not civil engineers per se) are part of this extraordinary development together with our colleagues in the computational science. There were some discussions on it in the Collaborate topic: Advancement of AI in collaboration with Autonomous Vehicles – Rethinking our Traditional Traffic Infrastructure (Horizontal/Subsurface Infrastructure & Transportation).

    But serious questions have been emerging across the board on different ethical aspects on AIPPS. The 2020 Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma has amazing portrayals and discussions on it. I have tried to address some of it by asking 9 questions in my piece: Artificial Intelligence – the Tool of No Limit with discussions on Ethics, Morals and Laws. AI and Civil Engineering – also came into focus – highlighting how civil engineering profession – in terms of tools and models that we use – are getting facelift and transformation. Of course, this transformation has its own implications on Ethics and Morals.

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    Dilip

    Website

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    Dr. Dilip Barua, Ph.D, P.Eng, M. ASCE
    Vancouver, BC, Canada
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  • 4.  RE: AI and Engineering Ethics

    Posted 01-06-2022 02:46 PM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 01-06-2022 02:45 PM
    Hello Dr. Barua,

    I was just reviewing my notifications and noticed you mentioned The Social Dilemma in this chat.

    It should be a matter of time before I actually take a class on AI, but one of the Youtube channels I am subscribed to could not fit a detailed description regarding that movie's partisan exploration of social media, its leadership and its affect on mental health into a single video. It was two parts:

    The Social Dilemma Is Dangerously Wrong... Part I
    YouTube remove preview
    The Social Dilemma Is Dangerously Wrong... Part I
    Support Out of Frame on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OutofFrameShowWatch our newest video, "How Can You POSSIBLY Not Be Red-Pilled By Now??": https://you...
    View this on YouTube >


    The Social Dilemma is Dangerously Wrong... Part II
    YouTube remove preview
    The Social Dilemma is Dangerously Wrong... Part II
    Support Out of Frame on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OutofFrameShowWatch our newest video, "How Can You POSSIBLY Not Be Red-Pilled By Now??": https://you...
    View this on YouTube >





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    Alexander Granato A.M.ASCE
    Student
    Bexley OH
    granato.3@...
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  • 5.  RE: AI and Engineering Ethics

    Posted 01-08-2022 11:07 AM

    Alexander – great that you are thinking about it. I saw at least some part of the series you referred to – countering the Social Dilemma thesis. In fact, there are many such pro-and-con arguments. And one should realize that both the benefits and concerns are real – not only in social media – but in many AIPPS activities. Some of it came into the focus of my AI article. The problem is that if someone or some entities surreptitiously opt to use things (even things are meant to be good) for malicious purposes – there are no strong mechanism to stop them.

    There are some good news I have recently heard that are coming in 2022: (1) Meta-Facebook has disengaged with some contractors providing them surveillance services; (2) USA decided to stop selling some software that are being used for malicious purposes; (3) and countries are coming together to regulate AI activities in some fashion – to prevent them from going rogue or being used for malicious purposes. Some countries have been implementing such regulations individually – but AIPPS problems and concerns are global, therefore all should come together to address them.

    Of course, one has to see how such initiatives are really implemented, work and bear fruit.

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    Dilip

    Website

    ORCID ID

    Google Scholar



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    Dr. Dilip Barua, Ph.D, P.Eng, M. ASCE
    Vancouver, BC, Canada
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