Ethics & Ownership (Cambridge (CIE) A Level Computer Science): Flashcards

An ethical body is an organisation that publishes a code of conduct which its members are expected to follow.

The British Computer Society (BCS) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

The BCS is the professional body for IT and computing in the UK, which promotes ethical behaviour, good practice and high standards in tech-related jobs.

The IEEE is a global organisation for engineers, developers and computer scientists that sets technical standards and encourages ethical and professional behaviour.

Being a member of an ethical body shows a commitment to professional integrity and high ethical standards.

Members follow a written code, so they do not have to decide what is ethical on their own.

Benefits include clear ethical guidelines, being trusted by clients and colleagues, a strong professional reputation, recognised skills and knowledge, help and support, and training and development.

False.

Entry may require qualifications or passing a test, which shows that the member meets high standards.

Treating team members fairly and avoiding favouritism helps them feel valued.

Avoiding unrealistic deadlines supports better teamwork and helps get the best work out of the team.

It helps to avoid conflict, and a team that works well together creates a better product for the client.

An owner should provide fair pay and ongoing training to keep staff skilled and motivated, and create a culture of respect and teamwork.

The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act protects the intellectual property of an individual or a company.

It makes it illegal to copy, modify or distribute software or other intellectual property without the relevant permission.

Copyright is automatically applied as soon as the original work is created.

Copyright does not expire until 25 to 70 years from the death of the creator, depending on the type of work.

It is the responsibility of the individual who believes their work has been copied to take action under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act.

Primary breaches include copying an original work, issuing a copy to the public, renting or lending a copy to the public, performing, showing or playing the work in public, and making an adaptation of it.

Secondary breaches include importing a copy, possessing or dealing with a copy, providing the means to make copies, permitting the use of premises for making copies, and providing props or equipment for a performance of a copy.

False.

The Act also covers videos and audio, where peer-to-peer streaming prevents a copyright owner from receiving an income.

Offering free downloads of copyrighted software online prevents the copyright holder from earning their income from the work.

Users must pay for the software, the developer earns an income from each purchase, and the software is copyrighted, so users cannot legally edit, copy or resell it.

The software is available to try for free, often with time or feature limitations, and users must pay to unlock the full version.

The trial version can be freely redistributed, which is how shareware spreads to new users.

The software is free to use and download but is still copyrighted, so users cannot legally edit, copy or sell it, and the developer keeps ownership and control.

Freeware is free to use but the source code cannot be viewed or edited. Open source software allows users to view, edit and share the source code.

The Open Source Initiative promotes software that is freely available and open to everyone, with a licence that lets users view, edit and share the source code.

False.

Open source does not always mean free. Some open source software is paid for, but users can still see and change the code.

They must still credit the original authors.

Linux, Firefox and the Apache Web Server.

The Free Software Foundation promotes freedom, not just free price, and supports user rights, transparency and collaboration.

The freedom to run the program for any purpose, to study how it works and change it, to redistribute copies, and to improve the program and share those improvements.

Software supported by the Free Software Foundation is often called free software or libre software.

False.

All of the licence types are copyrighted, including shareware, freeware, open source and free software.

Artificial intelligence is a machine that can simulate intelligent behaviours similar to those of a human.

An AI system can learn (acquire new information), decide (analyse and make choices) and act autonomously (take actions without human input).

Weak AI, also known as narrow AI, is designed to perform a specific task or set of tasks.

Strong AI, also known as artificial general intelligence (AGI), is designed to perform any intellectual task that a human can do.

Weak AI performs a specific task or set of tasks, whereas strong AI can perform any intellectual task a human can do.

The three characteristics are a collection of data, rules for using data and an ability to reason.

AI systems need large amounts of data to perform tasks, and that data is processed using rules or algorithms that let the system make decisions and predictions.

AI systems use logical reasoning to evaluate information and make decisions based on it.

False.

An AI system has the ability to reason and can change its own rules and data.

Increased efficiency, increased accuracy and scalability.

Job losses, the potential for biased decision making and ethical concerns over its use.

Automation may replace some roles, leading to unemployment or changed job roles, while new jobs will emerge that require AI knowledge or human-AI collaboration.

Reskilling and upskilling programmes are essential to prepare the workforce for AI-driven transformations.

Those with better technology, education and internet access may benefit more from AI than others, creating a digital divide.

By ensuring equal access to AI education, tools and training for all communities.

AI can improve diagnosis, treatment planning and patient monitoring.

AI systems are not infallible, and a wrong diagnosis or treatment recommendation can have serious consequences, so decisions made solely by AI in critical situations can be risky.

It is complex to decide who is responsible: the developer, the AI system or the healthcare provider. Clear guidelines and regulations are needed to define responsibility and ensure patient safety.

Increased productivity and efficiency in areas such as manufacturing, logistics and finance, and a growing demand for AI-related roles such as data scientists and machine learning engineers.

AI enables new business models, supports faster innovation cycles by improving research and development, and reduces operational costs through automation and predictive analytics.

Small businesses may struggle to compete with large companies that have more resources to invest in AI, potentially widening economic inequalities between organisations.

AI can concentrate wealth and power in large tech companies that control key AI tools and data, creating monopolistic advantages and reducing market competition.

Large-scale AI models require vast computing power, which leads to high electricity usage and significant carbon emissions, and can strain power grids.

To reduce the environmental cost of AI, green data centres should be powered by renewable energy sources.

AI drives demand for specialised hardware such as GPUs and TPUs, and rapid advances shorten the lifespan of devices, increasing the volume of electronic waste.

False.

AI has a high energy and e-waste cost, but it also supports climate modelling, optimising energy use and sustainable agriculture. The two must be weighed against each other.