Emerging technologies bring with them new ethical and regulatory challenges

Much of the criticism of new revolutionary technology relates to the ethical and regulatory challenges that it brings along. While the defenders of new technology argue that creating and using such technologies is a fundamental human right inseparable from human autonomy, freedom, free expression and cognitive liberty; the skeptics scoff at the immense challenges and ethical dilemmas that arise for the general public at large and law makers in particular.

The changes that new technologies could bring about are often deep and systemic. Thus the existing regulatory framework often needs to be re-adjusted to cope up with the consequences of such technologies. Consider for instance, the change in laws required worldwide for dealing with cyber theft, online stealing etc. They were beyond the traditional notions of right and wrong. It took a very long time to adjust to the new ethical dilemma and thereafter adopt an appropriate regulatory framework.

Recent inventions like the driverless car, 3D printers, Google Glass etc. are also likely to pose new challenges. It would be difficult to arrive at a conclusion regarding the limits to human enhancement. Can enhancement reduce the diversity of humanity in the favour of optimal health? Can we ensure that new technologies are safe and equitably distributed? Such questions are difficult to answer.

However, it is to help resolve dilemmas like these that The Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (IEET) was founded in 2004. It is a self-described “techno progressive think-tank” that seeks to contribute to the understanding of the likely impact of emerging technologies on individuals and societies by “promoting and publicizing the work of thinkers who examine the social implications of scientific and technological advance.