Are We Living Inside an Ethical (and Kind) Machine? (en)

Mark Surman Today, we live online. The Internet informs how we
work, learn, date, flirt and care for each other. But more and
more, living online doesn’t mean sitting in front of a screen. The
Internet of Things — the networked computing environment that spans
the globe — allows the web to permeate our clothes, homes and
healthcare. The web is now made up of billions of connected devices
and zettabytes of data. It’s pervasive. In short: We now live
inside a machine. So how do we ensure this machine is ethical and
kind? Too often, its inputs are profit and power. Critical human
elements — like compassion and ethics — are absent. As IoT
proliferates, we need a guiding set of principles. We can’t only
ask, "What’s possible?" We must also ask, "What’s responsible?"
There are two paths forward. One: Living inside a machine that
values inclusion, equality and democracy. Or two: Living inside a
machine defined by surveillance, harassment and exclusion. Mozilla
and its allies around the world are working to chart a positive
path forward. There are already examples of an ethical and kind
machine in cities like San Antonio, Barcelona and Hubli. Mozilla
and allies have developed six guiding principles for more ethical,
kinder IoT (http://bit.ly/2j7THIQ). And we’re planning research,
grantmaking and salons to chart the future. We're also seeking more
technologists, activists and entrepreneurs for the fight ahead.