Ethics of Emerging Tech – Apple’s New Interactive Goggles
Apple employees are concerned about the ethical implications of AR technology and fear that it could be used to manipulate people or invade their privacy.
Recently, The New York Times published an article titled “Apple’s Augmented Reality Efforts Spark Dissent Among Employees” which sheds light on the ongoing internal debate within Apple over the company’s efforts in the augmented reality (AR) space. According to the report, a growing number of Apple employees are expressing dissent over the company’s focus on AR and its potential impact on society.
Apple’s AR efforts are not new. The company has been working on AR technology for several years and has released several products that use it, such as ARKit, which allows developers to create AR applications for iOS devices. In addition, the company is reportedly working on an AR headset that could be released in the next few years.
However, according to the report, some Apple employees are concerned about the ethical implications of AR technology and fear that it could be used to manipulate people or invade their privacy. Some employees have reportedly expressed concern that the technology could be used to create “deepfakes” or other forms of disinformation that could be used to influence public opinion.
One former Apple employee, who spoke to The New York Times on the condition of anonymity, said that “there’s a lot of concern among some employees that Apple is putting too much emphasis on AR, and not enough on other areas where the company could make a positive impact on society.”
Apple is not the only company working on AR technology, of course. Facebook, Microsoft, and Google are all investing heavily in the space, and have released their own AR products in recent years. However, according to the report, Apple’s focus on AR has become a point of contention within the company.
Tech companies have a responsibility to consider the ethical implications of the technology they create and how it will be used
Apple has a reputation for being a company that prioritizes privacy and security and has taken steps in the past to protect user data. However, some employees are concerned that AR technology could be used to collect even more user data, and that this data could be used for nefarious purposes.
According to the report, Apple has held internal discussions about the ethical implications of AR technology, but it is not clear what action the company will take in response to the dissent among its employees.
The debate over AR technology is just one example of the growing concern among tech employees over the impact of technology on society. In recent years, employees at companies such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have spoken out about issues such as government contracts, artificial intelligence, and workplace diversity.
Tech companies have a responsibility to consider the ethical implications of the technology they create and how it will be used. It is encouraging to see that some employees at Apple are taking a stand and raising their concerns. It is now up to the company’s leadership to listen to these concerns and take action to address them.
The report on Apple’s augmented reality efforts highlights the growing concern among employees over the ethical implications of new technology. As the technology industry continues to evolve, it is vital for companies to prioritize the well-being of society and the privacy/security of their users. Hopefully, the dissent among Apple employees will spark a larger conversation within the industry about the need to consider the ethical implications of new technology before it is released into the world.
What are your thoughts?