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The machine that said everything was fine

• Between 1985 and 1987 a radiotherapy machine called the Therac-25 gave at least six patients massive overdoses of radiation. Three died.
• The cause was software: a race condition that let the machine fire its full-power beam while the screen reported a normal dose. The manufacturer's first response was that an overdose was impossible.
• Nobody outside the company could read the code. The patients had to trust the people who wrote it.
• That trust is what ethics 伦理 is for. This lesson is what the profession expects of you, why, and how to answer when the exam gives you a situation.

Why computing professionals need ethics

• A computing professional 计算机专业人员 builds software, systems, networks and data that affect other people. Because the work is technical, those people usually cannot tell whether it was done well or honestly.
• Trust: users and employers rely on professionals to act in their interest. Without it, software loses its credibility.
• Impact: software runs medical devices, banking, vehicles and elections. Careless or dishonest work hurts real people.

Professional bodies and codes of conduct

• The syllabus names two: the BCS (British Computer Society) and the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). The ACM is a third. Each publishes a code of conduct 行为准则 that members agree to follow.
• Benefits of joining, in the scheme's words: a set of ethical guidelines to follow, so decisions are not left to personal judgement; training, conferences and publications to keep skills current; a recognised professional status; a network of colleagues; and advice when a difficult case arises.
• Membership can be withdrawn from someone who breaks the code, which gives the code teeth.

The principles

• Public interest first: protect the safety, health and welfare of those affected.
• Honesty and competence: be honest about your skills and do not claim expertise you lack.
• Confidentiality 保密性: protect clients' and employers' private information. Avoid conflicts of interest 利益冲突: do not take work where your interest clashes with the client's.
• Respect intellectual property 知识产权 and privacy 隐私, keep your skills current, and treat colleagues fairly.

Privacy is one of the interests a professional is trusted to protect

Worked example: colleagues and the public

Acting ethically, acting unethically

• Acting ethically protects users, strengthens reputation, reduces legal risk and builds trust in the profession.
• Acting unethically, skipping testing, hiding bugs, misusing data, can harm real users, lead to dismissal or legal action, damage a reputation for years, and erode trust in technology generally.
• The exam gives a situation and asks for the impact of each choice. Name who is affected and how.

Worked example: the hiring tool

Worked example: a student on the school network

Deciding a borderline case

• Identify whose interests are affected. Check the code of conduct and the law.
• Weigh the consequences of each option, for users first. Ask a trusted senior colleague if the answer is not clear.
• Choose the option that protects users over short-term convenience, and be able to explain why.

Marks that slip away

You've got it