Future vision
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-05-2015-0011 |
| Pages | 346-360 |
| Date | 10 August 2015 |
| Published date | 10 August 2015 |
| Author | Simon Rogerson |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information management & governance |
Future vision
Simon Rogerson
Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility,
De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the world of information and communications
technology (ICT) from its early days to the near future. The aim is to consider how successfully
academia, industry and government have worked together in delivering ethically acceptable ICT which
is accessible to those who might benet from such advances. The paper concludes with suggestions of
a fresh approach for the future.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws upon evidence from the history of computers,
funded research projects, professional bodies in the eld, the ETHICOMP conference series and
reported ICT disasters. The author uses his experience as both an ICT practitioner and an academic in
the ICT ethics eld to synthesise the evidence so providing a foundation on which to build an outline
global action plan.
Findings – The paper lays out the ndings that there has been much detailed observation and analysis
of the ethical challenges surrounding ICT but the transformation of this into widespread practical
positive action remains elusive. It explores why progress has been difcult.
Originality/value – This review of the interconnecting landscapes of practical ICT, funded research
and the ICT ethics community is new. The attempt to demonstrate what progress has been made and to
identify the underlying factors which inuence progress are valuable to future generations working in
this area. The concluding suggestions for action offer a starting point for entering the next phase of ICT
ethics.
Keywords Ethics, ICT, Professionalism, Millennials, ETHICOMP, History of computers
Paper type Viewpoint
Introduction
Now social networks
Before tea room social chat –
IT changes us[1]
Founded in 1884, J. Lyons & Co. was a market leader in the UK for ne teas and cakes.
In 1894, it opened a teashop in Piccadilly, London, and developed this into a chain of over
200 teashops known as Lyon’s Corner Houses. In 1951, it built and programmed its own
computer, LEO 1, which was used to manage the daily restocking of the Lyon’s Corner
Houses (Ferry, 2003). It was the rst company worldwide to use a digital computer in a
commercial setting and heralded the start of business data processing. Similarly, this
commercialisation of computing was the beginning of the IT profession which today
spans the world in terms of application reach and social impact.
In 1972, I entered the IT profession as a newly qualied graduate. By that time, IT
was well-established as a vital corporate resource supporting all aspects of business.
However, it was still a back-ofce function staffed by specialist technologists with little
experience of business. Fast forward to 2015 and we nd that IT (or commonly termed
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/1477-996X.htm
JICES
13,3/4
346
Received 1 May 2015
Revised 14 May 2015
Accepted 9 June 2015
Journalof Information,
Communicationand Ethics in
Society
Vol.13 No. 3/4, 2015
pp.346-360
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
1477-996X
DOI 10.1108/JICES-05-2015-0011
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