This episode explores the intersection of law and ethics in digital technology. We begin by distinguishing the role of law—what we must do—from ethics, which guides what we should do. Through timeless moral examples like the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule, we illustrate how ethical norms have long shaped human actions. Diving deeper, we examine three foundational ethical theories—deontology, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics—each providing valuable insights into addressing moral dilemmas. A case study on redlining brings these concepts into sharp focus, showing how data-driven decisions can reinforce or combat social inequalities, whether by design or by accident. Join us as we unpack how a principled approach can help us face the ethical complexities of our digital future, from data processing to AI and beyond.
