The continuous development of digital technologies has led to significant societal progress due to innovations in artificial intelligence, automation, communications media, computing, and interdisciplinary research. For example, with regard to artificial intelligence, it can help people with improved health care, safer cars and other transport systems, and easier access to information, education and training. AI can make workplaces safer as robots can be used for dangerous parts of jobs, and it can enable the development of a new generation of products and services for businesses. AI can also be used in energy and waste management and it could improve the sustainability of products. Some even argue that democracy can be made stronger by using data-based scrutiny, preventing disinformation, cyber-attacks, crime and terrorist attacks, and by mitigating the possibility of prejudice in hiring decisions and using analytical data instead.

(https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20200918STO87404/artificial-intelligence-threats-and-opportunities)

Whereas many appreciate the progress digital technologies bring about, others are fearful of its potentially negative ramifications. Concerns about digital technologies include problems related to job insecurity, data insecurity, the spread of disinformation, plagiarism and copyright, and privacy and surveillance issues, to name only a few. According to a recent report by the Center for American Progress, federal and state “oversight of digital technologies is fragmented, incomplete, under-resourced, and unable to respond to emerging or even established harms in a timely manner.” This begs the question: what regulatory measures should be adopted and enforced “…while balancing the multiple, competing interests at the heart of many sociotechnical regulatory decisions”? (https://www.americanprogress.org/article/how-to-regulate-tech-a-technology-policy-framework-for-online-services/). What can and should be done to ensure that digital technologies are used beneficially while still promoting freedom and equitable access for all?

Your challenge is to identify a significant problem related to digital technology, research its various implications, and come up with an innovative solution that benefits society while avoiding significant harm. Research the issues relevant to your topic, analyze them, and propose ways to mitigate the conflicts you discover. As you develop your project, be sure to contact and interview people, organizations, and pertinent groups so you can incorporate their insights.