The Quest for Ethical Computing: A New Generation of Tech Leaders
The Golden Age of Generative AI
In a world where technology is rapidly evolving, a group of students at MIT are grappling with the most pressing question of our time: "How do we make sure that a machine does what we want, and only what we want?" This quest for ethical computing is led by Professor Armando Solar-Lezama, a Distinguished Professor of Computing at MIT, who believes that this struggle is as old as humankind itself.
A Brief History of Programming
Professor Solar-Lezama takes his students on a journey through the history of programming, from the 1970s Pygmalion machine to the late 90s computer software that took teams of engineers years and an 800-page document to program. He highlights the risks of building modern machines that don’t always respect a programmer’s cues or red lines, and that are equally capable of exacting harm as saving lives.
A Class that Demands Technical and Philosophical Expertise
The Ethics of Computing, offered for the first time in Fall 2024, was created through the Common Ground for Computing Education initiative, which brings multiple departments together to develop and teach new courses that blend computing with other disciplines. The course is designed to teach students a different skill set, one that requires both technical and philosophical expertise.
The Role of Philosophy in Computing
Professor Brad Skow, a philosopher and co-instructor of the course, brings his discipline’s lens for examining the broader implications of today’s ethical issues. "Thinking deeply about the questions that come up in this class requires both technical and philosophical expertise," he says. "There aren’t other classes at MIT that place both side-by-side."
A Lively Discussion
The course is designed to be a dynamic and responsive class, with recitation sessions to break down the week’s topic with graduate students from philosophy or computer science. One recent class topic was devoted to the question, "So, is the internet destroying the world?"
Conclusion
As the semester progresses, students like Titus Roesler, who is writing his final paper on the ethics of autonomous vehicles, and Alek Westover, a math and computer science double major, are grappling with the complexities of ethical computing. They are learning to approach these debates beyond media discourse and getting to the bottom of thinking rigorously about these issues. As Professor Solar-Lezama says, "Who knows? Maybe five years from now, everybody will laugh at how people were worried about the existential risk of AI. But one of the themes I see running through this class is learning to approach these debates beyond media discourse and getting to the bottom of thinking rigorously about these issues."
FAQs
Q: What is the Ethics of Computing class about?
A: The Ethics of Computing is a new course at MIT that explores the intersection of computing and ethics, teaching students to think rigorously about the implications of their work.
Q: Who teaches the course?
A: The course is taught by Professor Armando Solar-Lezama, a Distinguished Professor of Computing at MIT, and Professor Brad Skow, a philosopher and co-instructor.
Q: What topics are covered in the course?
A: The course covers a range of topics, including AI risk, the internet, and social impact, as well as privacy, bias, and free speech.
Q: Who is the course designed for?
A: The course is designed for students who are interested in the intersection of computing and ethics, including those majoring in computer science, philosophy, and related fields.
