1.5.2 Flashcards
computers in the workplace
improvement in devices allow employees: access to modern productivity tools and specialised software’s, carry out their daily activities effectively, easy communication/collaboration with each other.
In manufacturing areas: removed need for human workers, machines faster for longer, more accurate and reliable, don’t need sick pay etc.
As well as shifting the required skills needed in vectors, e.g., factor would have hired many low killed workers now a smaller high skilled workers to run/maintain the machines. Allowing more low skilled jobs to be automated e.g., supermarket checkouts, hotel check ins, online banking.
automated decision making
Computer programs can complete a task by making decisions based on conditions set by a human.
When many individuals benefit, cultural practices can change. If these cultural practices are not equally distributed through different societies, it can increase inequality.
e.g. real time price comparisons, constantly checking price staking in factors like supply and demand, remote sensors in vineyards that decide optimal harvest time without human need.
automatic system example 1 vacuum cleaner
Computers run programs to carry out automated tasks. For example, a robot vacuum cleaner could follow a set path, or be programmed to change direction if it was close to (or hit) an obstacle, like a piece of furniture or a wall. The robot itself does not set the conditions that allow it to decide what an obstacle is, or how far it has to be from an obstacle. The conditions are set by a human and used in a program followed by a robot.
Benefit to a householder of using the robot vacuum cleaner. For example, the householder could save time, because they don’t have to repeatedly carry out the task of vacuuming a room.
There are also wider impacts on society and ethical issues to consider.
Impact
The use of automated time-saving devices could mean that a culture’s practices evolve so that society uses the time saved differently, perhaps to spend more time with family or carry out paid work.
What ethical considerations arise from this? Perhaps none related to the robot vacuum cleaner itself. However, taking a wider view, if some people do not have access to these time-saving technologies (because they cannot afford them, or do not have access to electricity), the cultural changes and subsequent benefits to their society will not be available. This could cause inequalities in development between societies, and could mean that people are disadvantaged unfairly.
