In the field of computer decision systems, norms are poorly articulated and only vaguely understood … We must turn our attention to identifying norms appropriate to environments in which computer decision systems are developed and used. These norms should be shaped to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of computer decision systems.
Predictor: Johnson, Deborah G.
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 article for Communications of the ACM [Association for Computing Machinery], Deborah Johnson and John Mulvey say standards of ethical behavior should be established: ”Issues of responsibility are frequently confused because we employ the terms responsible and responsibility in a variety of different ways. At least four different meanings can be distinguished: to attribute causality, to attribute fault or blame, to attribute liability, and to attribute role assignments. Depending on which sense of the term one is using, to say that the system designer is responsible might mean: (1) The system designer is causally responsible for the outcomes of the use of her system, (2) the system designer is at fault because the system whe designed was flawed; (3) the system designer should be held legally liable for the outcomes of using the system; or (4) the system designer failed to do something required by her role, for example, warn clients of some potential flaw in or limitation of the system … In the field of computer decision systems, norms are poorly articulated and only vaguely understood. This may be due to the newness of the technology, the complexity of the environments in which decision systems are employed, or the diversity of system designers and systems. Since ascriptions of responsibility cannot be made without norms, we must turn our attention to identifying norms appropriate to environments in which computer decision systems are developed and used. These norms should be shaped to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of computer decision systems.”
Date of prediction: December 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Community/Culture
Subtopic: Ethics/Values
Name of publication: Association for Computing Machinery. Communications of the ACM
Title, headline, chapter name: Accountability and Computer Decision Systems
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?Did=000000008680399&Fmt=3&Deli=1&Mtd=1&Idx=
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Kafoure, David