Digital devices and systems play a significant role in our daily lives. Most people in developed countries use digital technologies in many areas, such as fuel pumps, electricity, healthcare, airplanes, solar projects, dams, serving in restaurants, communication, Zoom meetings, and many more. These technologies, like smartphones and computers, were created to make life easier and more efficient.
Everyone is living in a digital world
In 2017, there were 25 billion devices connected through the Internet of Things (IoT), and this number is predicted to grow to 29.7 billion by 2027.
The Internet of Things (IoT) can be both beneficial and detrimental.
Some devices have even been dangerous, such as a smart thermostat that heated a house to unbearable temperatures when it lost its internet connection, wasting money spent on products. Some devices bring both positive and negative effects, which might raise privacy or security concerns, making things feel less safe than they seem.
Our digital connectedness can be used against us in various ways.
Companies track our online behavior through tools like cookies, search history, and even surveillance from smart devices. Many people find this kind of targeted advertising intrusive or even creepy. In fact, consumer opinions on this issue vary widely, as shown by a 2020 poll in the Digital Society cohort. The question remains: how much of our privacy are we willing to give up in exchange for convenience and personalized content?
https://us.norton.com/blog/privacy/how-much-privacy-we-give-up
The workplace is also being transformed by the digital world.
AI is replacing human workers, leading to concerns about mass unemployment. While AI can speed up tasks and make businesses more efficient, it’s clear that businesses benefit from the increased productivity AI brings. However, the loss of jobs is a controversial issue. Some argue that AI doesn’t always replace humans but changes the way people work. The creators of XANA, a medical technology paired with an app, claim that AI helps medical staff by allowing them to access patient data in real time. This enables doctors to diagnose diseases and evaluate treatments more effectively.
As digital technologies like AI become more integrated, the replacement of human workers with technology is often met with skepticism. While AI can outperform humans in certain tasks, like diagnosing medical conditions, patients may still struggle to trust it. This raises important ethical questions: Is it ethical to replace human professionals with machines? And what about businesses using our personal data to track and exploit our purchasing habits? Is that immoral, or just part of the digital landscape?
Embracing the Digital Horizon
AI affects our lives, and questions surrounding privacy, trust, and the role of AI in our daily lives don’t have easy answers. However, they highlight the need for a fresh ethical framework. This includes things like online communication, syncing calendars and diaries, and using digital platforms to organize activities. In certain areas of our lives, the impact of digital technologies is more noticeable than in others. For instance, in business activities like customer service, it can sometimes be difficult to tell whether you’re interacting with a human or a digital system. This has made me think about where the responsibility lies when it comes to the use of these technologies. We must all be proactive in understanding the risks and making informed decisions to navigate the digital landscape securely.
