Ethics via Science Fiction

A way to stretch thinking beyond the realm of current science and into its evolution.

How to Teach Computer Ethics through Science Fiction
By Emanuelle Burton, Judy Goldsmith, Nicholas Mattei

Communications of the ACM, August 2018, Vol. 61 No. 8, Pages 54-64
10.1145/3154485
Computer science faculty have a responsibility to teach students to recognize both the larger ethical issues and particular responsibilities that are part and parcel of their work as technologists. This is, however, a kind of teaching for which most of us have not been trained, and that faculty and students approach with some trepidation. In this article, we explore the use of science fiction as a tool to enable those teaching artificial intelligence to engage students and practitioners about the scope and implications of current and future work in computer science. We have spent several years developing a creative approach to teaching computer ethics, through a course we call "Science Fiction and Computer Ethics."7,8,9,18,28 The course has been taught five times at the University of Kentucky and two times at the University of Illinois at Chicago and has been successful with students, as evidenced by increasing and full enrollments; high teaching-evaluation numbers; positive anonymous comments from students; nominations and awards for good teaching; and invitations to speak about the course on conference panels and in talks. .... " 

Conversation with David Brin on AI

Have had some conversations with Sci Fi author David Brin on AI and privacy.  Look forward to seeing the contextual and speculative views of a science fiction writer.

Voices in AI – Episode 39: A Conversation with David Brin    Interviewed by Byron Reese  

In this episode Byron and David discuss intelligence, consciousness, Moore’s Law, and an AI crisis. ....

No he does not expect AI to become truly self aware .... 

Byron Reese: This is Voices in AI brought to you by GigaOm, and I’m Byron Reese. Today our guest is David Brin. He is best-known for shining light—both plausibly and entertainingly—on technology, society, and countless challenges confronting our rambunctious civilization.  His best-selling novels include The Postman, which was filmed in ’97, plus explorations of our near-future in Earth and Existence. Other novels of his are translated into over 25 languages. His short stories explore vividly speculative ideas.  His non-fiction book The Transparent Society won the American Library Association’s Freedom of Speech Award for exploring 21st-century concerns about security, secrecy, accountability, and privacy. And as a scientist, a tech consultant, a world-renowned author, he speaks and advises, and writes widely on topics from national defense to homeland security to astronomy to space exploration to nanotechnology, creativity, philanthropy. He kind of covers the whole gambit. I’m so excited to have him on the show. Welcome, David Brin  ..... "

The Pickle Index

Always liked the idea of a non-sequential novel.  It has been tried many times, never successfully for my taste.  Is it here now?

No relation.  InWired: 

The Pickle Index is a delightfully Weird, App-Driven Novel like no other. .... 

Through The Pickle Index—an app, a hardcover, and a paperback book—users enter into Destina, a dystopian world governed by pickle consumption. .... 

The fact is, The Pickle Index is not a traditional novel, nor is it a conventional app. When Eli Horowitz and Russell Quinn set out to create the multimedia storytelling experience, they made a conscious decision to eschew hallmarks of design like accessibility and ease of use. Instead, they provide multiple entry-points into an intricate and immersive world. In doing so, they’ve reimagined what a digital literary experience can be. .... " 

Philosopher looks at AI

Will Artificial Intelligence Surpass Our Own?
In Sciam: A philosopher worries about computers’ ever accelerating abilities to outpace human skills Sums it up quite well.  via Spohrer.