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860-0024-00L 3 Credits DS , MSC D-GESS
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Digital Society: Ethical, Societal and Economic Challenges

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Marcus Manfred Dapp
Number of participants is limited to 35
VVZ CR 4.1

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:40:40

Abstract

This seminar will address ethical challenges coming along with new digital technologies such as cloud computing, Big Data, artificialintelligence, cognitive computing, quantum computing, robots, drones, Internet of Things, virtual reality, blockchain technology, and more...

Objective

Participants shall learn to understand that any technology implies not only opportunities, but also risks, and that it is important to understand these well in order to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits. In some cases, it is highly non-trivial to identify and avoid undesired side effects of technologies. The seminar will sharpen the attention how to design technologies for values, also called value-sensitive design or ethically aligned design.

Resources

Literature

Will be provided on a complementary website of the course. Complementary literature should be searched and evaluated by the students themselves.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
DS , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
To earn credit points, students will have to read the relevant literature on one of the above technologies and give apresentation about the ethical implications. Both, potential problems and possible solutions shall be carefully discussed.

Registration & Places

Max Places
35

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Digital Society: Ethical, Societal and Economic Challenges
  • Mon 15:00-17:00 (ER SA TZ)
  • Mon 15:15-17:00 (HG D 16.2)
2 h weekly

Offered In

  • GESS Science in Perspective (Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "GESS Science in Perspective" courses. Further below you will find courses under the category "Type B courses Reflections about subject specific methods and content" as well as the language courses. During the Bachelor’s degree Students should acquire at least 6 ECTS and during the Master’s degree 2 ECTS. Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
  • Science, Technology, and Policy Master