Envisioning a better world of human and technology: theoretical and empirical considerations to connect communication scholarship to ethical technology design

Abstract

ABSTRACT With the artificial intelligence and robotics revolution transforming science and society rapidly, ethical issues surrounding the development and use of advanced technologies are causing concerns worldwide. Despite communication scholars being well-positioned to tackle issues relevant to ethical technology development, we have conducted little research to inform and critique this space. This paper aims to advocate for better knowledge and approaches in ethical technology design and communication scholarship, and encourage communication researchers to contribute to technology design by leveraging communication expertise and borrowing scholarly insights from other fields. Specifically, we introduce foundational feminist technoscience theories and relevant technology design approaches, propose seven core design principles to aid communication research, and discuss how communication scholarship can benefit the space of technology.