Ethical Innovation
Films from the Future
The book Films from the Future uses science fiction movies to explore the often-complex dynamic between people, society, and cutting-edge science and technology.
Much of the book grapples with the question of what it means to develop powerful technologies in ways that are socially responsible and beneficial. And embedded within this are deep questions involving technology ethics.
The following topics are explored directly within the book, and are the perfect jumping-off point for using in classes that address tech ethics, in reading groups, or just for personal interest.
All page numbers are for the hardcover edition of the book.
Socially responsible innovation
Chapter 1, page 21
Art as a catalyst for ethical and responsible technology innovation
Chapter 1, page 25
The science and ethics of de-extinction
Chapter 2, page 31
The tension between “could” and “should in responsible and ethical innovation
Chapter 2, page 36
Power dynamics and responsible innovation
Chapter 2, page 43
Cloning, and the nature of what it means to be “human”
Chapter 3, page 56
Tech that’s “too valuable to fail”
Chapter 3, page 62
The science and ethics of predicting “bad behavior”
Chapter 4, page 68
Predicting criminal intent
Chapter 4, page 73
Machine learning and “predictive justice”
Chapter 4, page76
Big data and privacy
Chapter 4, page 78
The ethics of pharmaceutical-based self-enhancement
Chapter 5, page 85
“Smart drugs,” personal gain, and social responsibility
Chapter 5, page 96
The ethics of “privileged technologies”
Chapter 5, page 100
Our obsession with intelligence
Chapter 5, page 104
Technology and social inequity
Chapter 6, page 109
The ethics of 3D organ printing
Chapter 6, page 114
Technology innovation and workplace ethics
Chapter 6, page 118
Automation
Chapter 6, page 123
Body hacking
Chapter 7, page 134
The ethics of human augmentation
Chapter 7, page 136
Computer-brain interfaces
Chapter 7, page 141
Who owns your tech-augmented body?
Chapter 7, page 145
Technology, artificial intelligence and the nature of enlightenment
Chapter 8, page 153
The lure of permissionless innovation
Chapter 8, page 159
Hubris, and the ethics of innovation
Chapter 8, page 163
AI and Superintelligence
Chapter 8, page 168
Defining artificial intelligence
Chapter 8, page 171
AI and the ethics of heuristic manipulation
Chapter 8, page 174
Technological convergence and the “singularity”
Chapter 9, page 183
Neo-Luddism and tech innovation
Chapter 9, page 189
Technological terrorism
Chapter 9, page 193
The ethical and social pitfalls of exponential extrapolation
Chapter 9, page 199
Make-believe in the age of the singularity
Chapter 9, page 202
Myopically benevolent science
Chapter 10, page 218
Social inertia and the technological status quo
Chapter 10, page 223
Technology innovation and social engagement
Chapter 10, page 226
The ethics of gain of function and dual use research
Chapter 11, page 233
Immoral logic and the ethics of innovation
Chapter 11, page 237
Science and tech advocacy, and the honest broker
Chapter 11, page 241
Determining future techno-social pathways
Chapter 11, page 247
Technological innovation and environmental fragility
Chapter 12, page 254
The rise of the anthropocene
Chapter 12, page 259
Building social and technological resiliency
Chapter 12, page 261
The technology and ethics of geoengineering
Chapter 12, page 265
Science and belief
Chapter 13, page 276
Occam’s razor and socially responsible innovation
Chapter 13, page 279
Available From
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Published by Mango Publishing
ISBN: 978-1633539075