This course examines moral and social issues arising from the use of information technologies in the modern market landscape. Information technologies are transforming social relationships, business, media, education, and politics, and they bring significant ethical and societal challenges.
The course addresses normative perspectives on topics such as digital data collection and usage, privacy, freedom of speech, intellectual property, platform monopolies, surveillance, automation, and current developments in artificial intelligence. Its aim is to provide an overview of these key questions and to offer methodological tools for analyzing their moral and societal dimensions.
At the core of the course is the practice of reflection and discourse, using real-life examples, case studies, and current developments. Participants are expected to develop a solid understanding of central ethical concepts and to gain confidence and autonomy in critically engaging with societal debates on the moral implications of information technologies. This enables them to identify and assess ethical challenges in digitization and to formulate and evaluate guidelines and strategies for responsible technology use in business and society.
The course is designed to foster discourse competence and relies on active participation. Successful completion requires regular attendance, engagement in discussion groups, and passing the final exam.