AI Ethics and Autonomous Cars

This assignment presents a case study about an AI consultant advising a car manufacturing company on the ethical implications of releasing AI-controlled cars. The consultant raises concerns about the AI system's ability to handle unforeseen situations, potentially endangering lives. The assignment delves into the Australian Computer Society (ACS) code of ethics, analyzing the consultant's actions and arguments in light of professional responsibility, competence, public interest, and professional development.

Running head: PROFFESIONAL IT CULTURE 1
PROFFESIONAL ETHICAL ANALYSIS BASED ON ACS CODE OF ETHICS
CASE STUDY (AI CAR MANUFACTRING COMPANY)
By

PROFFESIONAL IT CULTURE 2
Executive Summary
Professionalism refers to the behavior, objectives or conduct that describes or marks a
profession person. Typically, professionalism reflects on the quality of service exhibited by
an individual in terms of work or vocation. Many professionals dispersed in diverse industries
sign up for code of ethics that have procedures that guide them in their practice. As members
of such institutions therefore, experts are required to uphold dignity, honor, honesty,
professional development and effectiveness and many more to demonstrate their competence.
In addition, such code of ethics involves upholding moral ethical behavior and adherence to
society laws.
Most business organizations recognize that professional behavior and reputation can have
great impacts to their business productivity, and could mean difference between
accomplishment and disappointment, and therefore seek to retain employees that display
professionalism.
This report seeks to discuss professional ethical behavior in an IT culture through information
from published articles and Internet sources. There will be an examination of a given case
study to demonstrate ethical dilemmas. From this, ethical responses will be provided. The
report will also apply the ACS code of ethics requirements with regards to the mentioned
case study, followed by a summarized ethical analysis of the case study. Finally, having
established that, a conclusion of the study.

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Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................................4
2.0 Ethical dilemma discussion..................................................................................................5
2.1 Ethical responses to the dilemma.........................................................................................5
2.1.1 AI Consultant................................................................................................................5
2.1.2 Car Customers...............................................................................................................5
2.2 Ethical responses with regards to application principles.....................................................5
2.3 Ethical responses with regards to a caring person...............................................................5
2.4 ACS Code of ethics requirements with regard case study...................................................5
2.5 Ethical defense arguments for the AI consultant.................................................................5
2.6 Summarized case study ethical analysis..............................................................................5
3.0 Conclusion............................................................................................................................6
4.0 References............................................................................................................................6

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1.0 Introduction
Professional ethics comprise the individual, managerial, and communal values of conduct
demonstrated by experts in their respective fields (Valente, 2014) . According to the Internet
Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ethics or moral standards involves the concepts and attainment
of what is right or wrong, good or bad, in relation to moral responsibility and duty (Fieser,
2017). Ethics also includes the requirement to behave in harmony with the standards of right
and wrong prevailing the behavior of a specific group including lawyers, doctors, IT
professionals and more. As such, in ethics, it is crucial to apprehend that a motive is as vital
as the act that follows it. Basically, ethics aims at encouraging individuals to do what they
know they should do by considering all appropriate sides of an ethical issue, considering
elementary ethical values and acting in agreement with the code of guiding your profession.
Following, is an introduction of several ethical dilemmas from a case study, proposed ethical
responses with regards to different groups of people, ACS code of ethics requirements
application in the case study and a summarized ethical analysis.
2.0 Ethical dilemma discussion
An ethical dilemma, also moral dilemma is a situation in which a person has to make a choice
between two selections that are acceptable or preferable, neither of the choices are able to
resolve the given situation in an ethically satisfactory manner (YourDictionary, 2017). In this
case, John, an Artificial intelligence (AI) consultant, is in an ethical dilemma. He is involved
in a machine learning project to design and implement AI systems as a third party for a car
manufacturing company. The problem is that the company CEO and managers want to
release their product as soon as possible. However, John thinks that the car AI systems need
more remodeling to reduce risks. If he insists, he may lose his contract. On the other hand, if

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he signs the project end and the car’s AI system become risky, he may be blamed, which can
damage his and company’s reputation.
2.1 Ethical responses to the dilemma
2.1.1 AI Consultant
As an IT professional that is guided by morality of right and wrong, John needs to make a
decision. On one hand, he can refuse to sign off the project to completion in order to
minimize the risks that can harm human life, guided by the code of ethics that aims to
enhance the quality of life of the clients. If he does this, he may lose business as the car
company may cancel his contract. On the other hand, since the remodeling involves testing
issues regarding life and death situations, if remodeling is not done, a lot of people could die
as a result. Therefore, the right thing to do is to insist on AI systems to reduce harm in case of
accidents with the cars.
2.1.2 Car Customers
John has been working closely with the company clients in testing out the workings of the AI
controlled cars. The car customers can for one decide to buy the cars but this would increase
risks and the AI systems malfunctions could harm them. Conversely, if they wait, they may
not get the product on time and may buy it at higher prices if it delays because of competition
in the market. The ethical thing to do is to wait for remodeling in order to save lives in case
of system mal-functionalities.
2.2 Ethical responses with regards to application principles
A member of the ACS body of ethics is governed by the codes they have signed up for. They
should ensure to apply this regulations in their work places without fail. No matter the
consequences, they should try to implement the rules that govern their professional conduct.

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The company should apply honesty and let their clients know that the AI controlled cat is not
yet ready. This would show they are competent, as it would portray the fact they only release
quality products and hence increase potential customers. They should ensure they look into
public interest first before considering their own interests. They should also do remodeling to
be able to apply professional development.
2.3 Ethical responses with regards to a caring person
As a caring person, John as the person charged with the AI car functions, he should ensure
that he doesn’t see to the company launching their product. This would prove that he cares
about human life. For the customers, they should wait till remodeling is done, this
demonstrates that they also care about human life. The CEO and company managers should
also wait for more testing’s to be done, if they prioritize public interests, in this case, their
customers and the AI consultant.
2.4 ACS Code of ethics requirements with regard case study
According to the ACS code of ethics, a professional should demonstrate honesty,
professionalism, enhancement of quality life, primacy of public interest, competence and
professional development (AustralianComputerSociety, 2017). With regards to this case, the
CEO and managers should be honest about their product by accepting as true that it is not
ready for launching. By wanting to launch their product when it is not yet ready, they are not
demonstrating competence and are not highlighting on public interest. They also are not
giving room to professional development by doing more remodeling for the AI systems. The
car manufacturing company is therefore not upholding the ACS code of ethics. The AI
consultant has already demonstrated honesty, competence, public interest and professional
development by suggesting further AI systems remodeling.

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2.5 Ethical defense arguments for the AI consultant
The ACS code of ethics demands that professionals who are members with the association
follow certain rules as far as their skills and professions are concerned. Firstly, the AI consult
is abiding by the code. He has reported to the company management that he doesn’t think
they should release the AI controlled cars. This demonstrates his honesty, competency, care
for human life and that he is ready to do more research with further car AI systems makeover
which would promote his professional development. By suggesting further AI testing’s,
demonstrates that he cares about human life. This is because he knows that there would be a
lot of risks if the cars don’t know how to respond to situations that has to do with accidents –
life and death situations.
2.6 Summarized case study ethical analysis
In summary, as far as ethics and morality is concerned, for the AI consultant, the right thing
to do in this case is to wait before signing off the project and advice on doing further car
testing and redesigning. This way, he wouldn’t have to live with regrets and his reputation as
a professional would stand. Caring about public interest is important for the entire
community. The ethical thing to do for the CEO and the managers is to heed the advice of the
AI consultant. Although their product has been tested over a period of time. It is vital that
they do this one more test to reduce the risks involved that could harm the public. The client
is also required to be patient until the product is ready for the market, for his safety and for
life enhancement of his fellow human beings.

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3.0 Conclusion
The right professional conduct is important for all organizations. Work misconduct can make
a business fail to achieve its defined business objectives. Employees should always
demonstrate expertise in how they do their work and treat people directly attached to their
work. By following the right code of ethics, professionals are able to demonstrate their
competence and improve business productivity.

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4.0 References
AustralianComputerSociety. (2017, August). Australian Computer Society . Retrieved from
acs.org: https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/acs-documents/Code-of-Ethics.pdf
Fieser, J. (2017). Ethics. Retrieved from Internet Encyclopedia Of Philosophy:
http://www.iep.utm.edu/ethics/
Valente, L. (2014, August 31). 10 Golden Rules To Professional Ethics In The Workplace.
Retrieved from LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140831053426-
77080879-10-golden-rules-to-professional-ethics-in-the-workplace
YourDictionary. (2017). Ethical dilemma. Retrieved from yourdictionary.com:
http://examples.yourdictionary.com/ethical-dilemma-examples.html