Ethics for Engineering Kinard 1

Jeffrey Kinard

CPR E 394

April 30, 2019

Ethics for Engineering

Engineering requires more than just math, science and innovation. It also requires

designing solutions that benefit the majority, not just one. As an aspiring Computer Engineer, I

will be faced with the ability to create all sorts of new technology. However, it is also my

responsibility to ensure the effects of my innovations don’t just fulfill my personal curiosities,

but instead take care of the greater population that will be exposed to such innovations. In

Engineering, it isn’t always about what can be done, but rather what should be done.

During one of my class meetings for CPR E 394, I was tasked with collaborating with my

peers, as well as a Professor in the department, about the ethics of Engineering. We focused on

a particular case study regarding the unethical usage of the Amazon Echo. In short, the voice

data collected by the Echo was being attempted to be utilized by police on an investigation. In

response, Amazon claimed that they had legal obligations to keep the data protected even from

the police. This case in particular raises a lot of good, yet tricky, questions about Engineering

Ethics. Amazon has a responsibility to their consumers to protect their data, however, in this

case, releasing the data could help solve a case that benefits one of their users. Both sides seem

to be ethical, and it becomes a difficult discussion to realize what should be done. During my

group’s discussion, we concluded that Amazon was being ethical in their decision to withhold
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the data without a warrant. At the end of the day, one of the hardest tasks an Engineer faces is

not solving complicated formulas to derive a new solution. It is having to evaluate the well-

being of their affected audience. A good Engineer should already know how to solve problems.

A great Engineer knows how to solve problems in a way that benefits others more than

themselves.

While looking at what types of ethical issues arise in the modern era, I became

interested in a few specific examples. The most dangerous issues I came across was that of

pressure. I believe every Engineer has times where they are pressured. Whether it be pressure

to meet a deadline, pressure to uphold a certain quality, pressure to make enough money, etc.

It is a stressful job because often times people want things done faster than the Engineer

wants. This can result in faulty solutions that have the possibility of negatively affecting others.

Pride is also an ethical issue that can be just as dangerous. Often times, Engineering get so

wrapped up in the science of what they are doing, or what they are able to accomplish, that

they forget that what they are designing is not for them. It goes back to the point that an

Engineer should not focus solely on what they can do, but rather what they should do. The

world could probably house technologies right now that exceed what we are exposed to, but

that can be dangerous in a lot of ways. One of the biggest scares the world will probably face in

the next century in that of artificial intelligence. A topic that resides in my personal interests

and future goals, I realize that it can be a very dangerous technology if not monitored. Out of

pride for what their mind is capable of creating, and Engineer may develop an artificial

intelligence algorithm that does more harm than good. All because they wanted to prove they

can. The last issue that really hit me was that of power. Simply because it is an innate desire of
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humans, pride certainly effects Engineers as a whole. Engineers are a lot of times idolized in a

way that gives them a large sense of pride. While this can be rewarding, it can also negatively

affect their decision-making skills. When filled with pride, a person believes they don’t have to

be as careful; they believe they already know what they’re doing. This leads to overlooked

issues.

After reflecting back on the discussion in my CPR E 394 meeting, I realized the examples

of ethical issues I addressed were evident in our case study. Amazon was definitely being

pressured by the police to release the information. The information being relevant to a first-

degree murder case, Amazon was likewise being pressured by the public to help the case.

However, the other side of the story is that Amazon was also facing pressure to stay true to

their privacy rights that protects user’s data. Pride could also factor in to Amazon’s decision to

withhold the data. While not addressed specifically in the case study, Amazon may have a sense

that they are above the police. They don’t feel a need to answer to the police because they

don’t have to. The data is theirs and the police can’t access it without a warrant which may be

difficult to come by. Finally, similar to pride, Amazon may think they have enough power to do

what they want with the data. Luckily, they choose to withhold it. In a general sense, it is nice

to know they are using their vast power wisely.

Having a code of ethics is the only way to ensure all Engineers have a set of rules to

govern the way they make decisions that affect others. Whether it be ensuring user’s data is

protected despite pressure to relinquish the information or making sure a design is looked over

again despite an overconfident Engineer claiming it doesn’t need checking, a code is necessary

to keep things ethical.