Ethics, Information, and Technology - (Hardcover)

About the Book

Information use is changing rapidly in the digital age, leading to complex intellectual property and ownership issues.

Book Synopsis

Information use is changing rapidly in the digital age, leading to complex intellectual property and ownership issues. Exploring the ethical implications of this new environment, specifically as they relate to information professionals, this text offers guidance on making ethical choices.

Today, professionals spanning all sectors of society face fast-changing information use questions related to Artificial Intelligence, scholarly communication, research practice, teaching pedagogies and platforms, data sharing, knowledge management, entrepreneurial endeavors, and service access and delivery. Further complicating matters are grassroots movements such as open access, open data, and open education.

This wide-ranging and thorough volume surveys historical traditions and principles in ethics and brings readers into the current digital landscape, where ethical issues are often complex and confounding. Covering subjects that range from big data and hacking to surveillance and access, it explores the background of each topic and describes how, where, and why ethical dilemmas arise within it. Through real-life examples, this timely text teaches students and practitioners how to identify an ethical dilemma, provides guidance on how to respond, explains how to separate personal belief from professional responsibility, and discusses how to make exceptions in a principled way.

Review Quotes

At a time when serious policy debate has disappeared, we owe it to ourselves and future information professionals to grapple with some of the most pressing and contentious problems confronting us today - problems such as the power of AI to replace human activities and how private information will profile us. Kip Currier tackles a broad array of existential information issues that face a society devoid of the ethical and institutional guardrails necessary to ensure productive uses of emerging technologies. He offers tools to navigate moral dilemmas, as well as the immediate issues that dot an uncomfortable information landscape. He calls on us to participate in shaping the future by addressing nuanced principles, value conflicts, and power dynamics in meaningful ways. This is an ideal, well-researched text for students, information professionals, and anyone else concerned with choosing ethically responsible approaches to ensuring the future of humanity in a morally challenged world.
Nancy C. Kranich, Teaching Professor, Rutgers University School of Communication and Information, USA

Navigating the ethical minefield of our digital age is not optional - it's a critical competency for every librarian, archivist, and information professional. This unique book goes beyond abstract theory, providing practical intellectual tools for developing the nuanced understanding essential for meeting the varied information needs of today's communities and organizations. Whether you're an instructor shaping the next generation or an individual seeking clarity, this invaluable resource will empower you to confidently engage the challenging ethical landscape of our information-driven world.
Brian S. Butler, Dean, University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences, USA

About the Author

Kip Currier, PhD, JD, MLIS, is Assistant Professor in the School of Computing and Information at the University of Pittsburgh, USA.