1. Ethical Considerations in Computing
Why Ethics Matter:
- Ensures fairness, privacy, and accountability in technology development and use.
- Builds trust between developers, users, and stakeholders.
Key Ethical Issues:
| Issue | Example | Ethical Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Unauthorized data collection by apps. | Implement GDPR compliance, user consent. |
| Bias in AI | Facial recognition favoring certain demographics. | Use diverse training datasets. |
| Intellectual Property | Copying code without permission. | Respect copyrights; use open-source licenses. |
| Workplace Ethics | Hiding software bugs to meet deadlines. | Transparent reporting, thorough testing. |
2. Copyright & Software Licensing
Copyright Definition:
Legal protection granting creators exclusive rights to their work (e.g., software, images, music).
Software License Types:
| License | Key Features | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Free Software (FSF) | Allows modification/redistribution (copyleft). | GNU GPL (Linux). |
| Open Source (OSI) | Source code available but may restrict redistribution. | MIT License. |
| Shareware | Free trial; payment for full features. | WinRAR. |
| Commercial | Paid; no modification allowed. | Microsoft Office. |
Choosing a License:
- Game Development: Commercial license (to monetize).
- Community Projects: Open-source (e.g., GitHub repositories).
3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics
Applications & Impacts:
| AI Use Case | Benefits | Ethical Concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Facial Recognition | Airport security, fraud detection. | Privacy invasion, racial bias. |
| Autonomous Vehicles | Reduced accidents. | Accountability in crashes. |
| AI in Games | Adaptive NPCs (e.g., chess bots). | Unfair difficulty if poorly designed. |
Mitigating AI Risks:
- Transparency: Disclose AI use (e.g., chatbots).
- Bias Audits: Regularly test AI models for fairness.
4. Professional Ethics
Benefits of Joining Ethical Bodies (e.g., BCS, IEEE):
- Guidance: Access to ethical frameworks and best practices.
- Accountability: Encourages responsible behavior.
- Reputation: Enhances credibility with employers/clients.
Unethical Behavior Examples:
- Concealing bugs → potential harm to users.
- Plagiarizing code → legal consequences.
5. Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)
Ethical Use of IDE Tools:
| Tool | Purpose | Ethical Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Debuggers | Identify/fix errors. | Report all bugs, even minor ones. |
| Version Control | Track code changes. | Credit collaborators’ work. |
| Code Autocomplete | Speed up coding. | Avoid over-reliance; understand code. |
Key IDE Features:
- Breakpoints: Pause execution to inspect variables.
- Dynamic Syntax Checks: Highlight errors in real-time.
- Context-Sensitive Prompts: Suggest code completions.
6. Case Study: AI in a Cake Factory (from QP)
How AI Improves Safety/Efficiency:
- Predictive Maintenance: AI detects machine faults before breakdowns.
- Quality Control: Computer vision checks cake dimensions/temperature.
- Energy Optimization: AI adjusts oven temps based on real-time data.
Ethical Consideration:
- Ensure AI decisions are explainable (no “black box” bias).
7. Exam-Style Questions
1. Define copyright and explain its importance in software development. (3 marks)
Answer:
Copyright is a legal protection that grants creators exclusive rights to their original works (e.g., software, music, literature). In software development:
- Prevents Unauthorized Use: Stops others from copying, distributing, or modifying the software without permission.
- Encourages Innovation: Developers are incentivized to create new software knowing their work is protected.
- Monetization: Allows creators to sell licenses or charge for usage (e.g., commercial software like Microsoft Office).
Example: A game developer copyrights their code to prevent piracy.
2. Compare open-source and commercial software licenses. (2 marks)
Answer:
| Aspect | Open-Source License | Commercial License |
|---|---|---|
| Code Access | Source code is publicly available. | Source code is proprietary (hidden). |
| Modification | Allows users to modify/redistribute. | Modifications are restricted. |
| Cost | Typically free (e.g., Linux). | Requires payment (e.g., Adobe Photoshop). |
Key Difference: Open-source promotes collaboration; commercial licenses prioritize profit.
3. Describe one social impact of facial recognition AI. (4 marks)
Answer:
Positive Impact:
- Enhanced Security: Used in airports to identify suspects or missing persons, improving public safety.
Negative Impact:
- Privacy Violations: Constant surveillance may lead to loss of anonymity (e.g., tracking individuals without consent).
- Bias & Discrimination: AI may misidentify minorities due to biased training data, leading to unfair targeting.
- Dependency: Over-reliance on AI reduces human oversight in critical decisions.
Example: London’s police use facial recognition to spot criminals, but activists argue it infringes on privacy rights.
Marking Scheme Tips
1. Define copyright and explain its importance in software development. (3 marks)
Answer:
Copyright is a legal protection that grants creators exclusive rights to their original works (e.g., software, music, literature). In software development:
- Prevents Unauthorized Use: Stops others from copying, distributing, or modifying the software without permission.
- Encourages Innovation: Developers are incentivized to create new software knowing their work is protected.
- Monetization: Allows creators to sell licenses or charge for usage (e.g., commercial software like Microsoft Office).
Example: A game developer copyrights their code to prevent piracy.
2. Compare open-source and commercial software licenses. (2 marks)
Answer:
| Aspect | Open-Source License | Commercial License |
|---|---|---|
| Code Access | Source code is publicly available. | Source code is proprietary (hidden). |
| Modification | Allows users to modify/redistribute. | Modifications are restricted. |
| Cost | Typically free (e.g., Linux). | Requires payment (e.g., Adobe Photoshop). |
Key Difference: Open-source promotes collaboration; commercial licenses prioritize profit.
3. Describe one social impact of facial recognition AI. (4 marks)
Answer:
Positive Impact:
- Enhanced Security: Used in airports to identify suspects or missing persons, improving public safety.
Negative Impact:
- Privacy Violations: Constant surveillance may lead to loss of anonymity (e.g., tracking individuals without consent).
- Bias & Discrimination: AI may misidentify minorities due to biased training data, leading to unfair targeting.
- Dependency: Over-reliance on AI reduces human oversight in critical decisions.
Example: London’s police use facial recognition to spot criminals, but activists argue it infringes on privacy rights.
Marking Scheme Tips
1. Define copyright and explain its importance in software development. (3 marks)
Answer:
Copyright is a legal protection that grants creators exclusive rights to their original works (e.g., software, music, literature). In software development:
- Prevents Unauthorized Use: Stops others from copying, distributing, or modifying the software without permission.
- Encourages Innovation: Developers are incentivized to create new software knowing their work is protected.
- Monetization: Allows creators to sell licenses or charge for usage (e.g., commercial software like Microsoft Office).
Example: A game developer copyrights their code to prevent piracy.
2. Compare open-source and commercial software licenses. (2 marks)
Answer:
| Aspect | Open-Source License | Commercial License |
|---|---|---|
| Code Access | Source code is publicly available. | Source code is proprietary (hidden). |
| Modification | Allows users to modify/redistribute. | Modifications are restricted. |
| Cost | Typically free (e.g., Linux). | Requires payment (e.g., Adobe Photoshop). |
Key Difference: Open-source promotes collaboration; commercial licenses prioritize profit.
3. Describe one social impact of facial recognition AI. (4 marks)
Answer:
Positive Impact:
- Enhanced Security: Used in airports to identify suspects or missing persons, improving public safety.
Negative Impact:
- Privacy Violations: Constant surveillance may lead to loss of anonymity (e.g., tracking individuals without consent).
- Bias & Discrimination: AI may misidentify minorities due to biased training data, leading to unfair targeting.
- Dependency: Over-reliance on AI reduces human oversight in critical decisions.
Example: London’s police use facial recognition to spot criminals, but activists argue it infringes on privacy rights.
Marking Scheme Tips
1. Define copyright and explain its importance in software development. (3 marks)
Answer:
- Copyright is a legal protection that grants creators exclusive rights to their original works (e.g., software, music, literature). In software development:
- Prevents Unauthorized Use: Stops others from copying, distributing, or modifying the software without permission.
- Encourages Innovation: Developers are incentivized to create new software knowing their work is protected.
- Monetization: Allows creators to sell licenses or charge for usage (e.g., commercial software like Microsoft Office).
- Example: A game developer copyrights their code to prevent piracy..
2. Compare open-source and commercial software licenses. (2 marks)
Answer:
| Aspect | Open-Source License | Commercial License |
|---|---|---|
| Code Access | Source code is publicly available. | Source code is proprietary (hidden). |
| Modification | Allows users to modify/redistribute. | Modifications are restricted. |
| Cost | Typically free (e.g., Linux). | Requires payment (e.g., Adobe Photoshop). |
Key Difference: Open-source promotes collaboration; commercial licenses prioritize profit.
3. Describe one social impact of facial recognition AI. (4 marks)
Answer:
Positive Impact:
- Enhanced Security: Used in airports to identify suspects or missing persons, improving public safety.
Negative Impact:
- Privacy Violations: Constant surveillance may lead to loss of anonymity (e.g., tracking individuals without consent).
- Bias & Discrimination: AI may misidentify minorities due to biased training data, leading to unfair targeting.
- Dependency: Over-reliance on AI reduces human oversight in critical decisions.
Example: London’s police use facial recognition to spot criminals, but activists argue it infringes on privacy rights.