Summary
We know that ability is equally distributed among humans, but opportunity is not. As the need for skilled technologists grows, so must our ability to empower individuals with accessible tech training. The data that can be gathered about an individual’s learning patterns can help inform the ultimate personalized educational experience, accelerating the cycle from novice to master, or it could be weaponized – used to judge an individual and block opportunities for jobs and advancement. As we design experiences and systems, we become the ethical stewards of the impact we could have on millions of lives. It’s up to us to make the right, and often hard decisions. Hear from Mariah Hay, VP of Product at Pluralsight about her experience designing product for tech education, the choices her teams have made to avoid weaponization, and how human centered design can inform the ethical underpinnings of our missions, our companies, and our bottom lines.
Key Insights
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Human-centered design combines problem-finding and problem-solving, and both must be executed ethically.
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With power comes responsibility; practitioners must avoid becoming problem creators through negligence or lack of empathy.
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Ethics should be an integral part of the design process, influencing decisions at every level.
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Historical ethical principles from medicine and engineering can inform technology development.
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Awareness of ethical blind spots is crucial for professionals in tech to ensure they act responsibly.
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Companies must prioritize ethical values to maintain trust with users and stakeholders.
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Proactive ethical accountability can yield competitive advantages and contribute to long-term success.
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Designers should actively engage users in discussions about data usage and respect their privacy.
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Creating ethical guidelines within a company fosters a culture of trust and integrity.
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Practitioners are responsible for the impact of their work, not just the companies they represent.
Notable Quotes
"I am probably the biggest human-centered designer that you'll ever meet."
"We have one of the most powerful jobs in the world, and that can be frightening."
"Ethics are the discipline of dealing with what is good or bad with moral duty and obligation."
"From the medical profession, we learn principles like respect for autonomy and the idea of ‘first do no harm.’"
"If an engineer's judgment is overruled under circumstances that endanger life or property, they must report it."
"It’s crucial to think through how you’re going to respond to ethical challenges before they arise."
"If we let companies use our assessments to judge candidates, we could block opportunities for learners."
"Don’t weaponize your product; think about the implications of your design decisions."
"The tech industry has the potential to influence millions of lives, and we must act with courage."
"Ethical decisions must live in practitioners; they cannot be the sole responsibility of companies."
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