A Look into the World of Emerging Technologies and Ethical Implications
The definition of “emerging technology” is changing every day because technology is changing every day. Never at a time in history have we lived in such rapid growth, as we do now.
In an era where technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, the intersection between innovation and the law is increasingly becoming a focal point of discussion. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI), advanced surveillance systems, and other emerging technologies has significantly transformed the landscape of criminal investigations, triggering a complex web of legal implications that directly impact privacy and civil liberties.
One of the challenges here is the unlawful use of user-generated content created by emerging technologies, it must be noted that copyright is automatic upon creation and not when the work is registered for copyright.
Another of the foremost concerns is the opacity of AI decision-making processes. As AI systems learn from vast datasets, biases inherent in the data can perpetuate and amplify existing societal prejudices. Ensuring transparency and accountability in AI-driven investigations becomes imperative to prevent discriminatory outcomes and safeguard civil liberties.
The issue is whether we are facing a cusp of needing to adjust our ethics and responsibility laws to accommodate how technology is being woven into every aspect of our lives. In addition, there are five major ethical dilemmas currently faced by emerging technologies:
- Data privacy
- Risks Associated with Artificial Intelligence
- Developing sustainable environments
- Health implications due to technology use
- Infodemic and data weaponization issues
These can be serious challenges we face as technology grows in size and scope. Therefore, we need to look at what rules are on the books now to help keep everyone secure.
In October of 2023, President Biden signed an Executive Order (E.O.) on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. This lengthy E.O. established and set parameters for the use and development of emerging technology.
Other laws like copyright, slander, and cyberbullying could have an impact on our protection from the misuse of emerging technology.
Considering several issues we are seeing with new technological development, the ethical implications, and lack of regulation — we could surmise that technology might be progressing in so many different ways that attempting to wrangle it might be more challenging than we think. Due to that rate of rapid growth, however, it’s important to consider regulations on portions of the new technology that are known to cause vulnerability or have proven to hurt people. This would give us a framework for attack on the dangerous components of new technology.
As emerging technologies continue to evolve, their impact on criminal investigations, privacy, and civil liberties remains a dynamic and evolving landscape. Navigating this terrain necessitates a collaborative effort between policymakers, legal experts, technologists, and civil society to strike a balance between leveraging innovation for public safety and safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. The legal implications surrounding these technologies demand constant scrutiny, adaptation, and thoughtful regulation to uphold the principles of justice, privacy, and human rights in the digital age.
CITATIONS:
- Sensors | Free Full-Text | Ethical Dilemmas and Privacy Issues in Emerging Technologies: A Review (mdpi.com)
- As Regulators Fall Behind, Legal Grapples With Emerging Tech Risks | Legaltech News (law.com)
- Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence | The White House
