The Social Impact of Computers should be read as a guide to the social implications of current and future applications of computers. Among the basic themes presented are the following: the changing nature of work in response to technological innovation as well as the threat to jobs; personal freedom in the machine age as manifested by challenges to privacy, dignity, and work; the relationship between advances in computer and communications technology and the possibility of increased centralization of authority; and the emergence and influence of artificial intelligence and its role in decision-making, especially in military applications.
The book begins with background and historical information on computers and technology. Separate chapters then cover major applications: business, medicine, education, government; major social issues, including crime, privacy, work; and new technologies and problems: industry regulation, electronic funds transfer systems, international competition, national industrial policies, robotics and industrial automation, productivity, the information society, videotex. The final chapter discusses issues associated with ethics and professionalism.
The material presented should be accessible to most university students who have had an introductory course in computer science. Self taught or sufficiently motivated individuals who have gained an understanding of how computers operate should also profit from this book. Especially useful are backgrounds in sociology, economics, history, political science, or philosophy.

Contenu

Preface
Acknowledgments
1 Computers are Everywhere
Introduction
A Variety of Applications
Societal Issues
Summary
Notes
Additional Readings
2 Computers and the Human Imagination
Introduction
The Intelligent Machine in Fact and Fiction
Computers as a Creative Medium
Contemporary Views of the Machine
Artificial Intelligence: a Brief Introduction
Summary
Notes
Additional Readings
3 Criticism and History
Introduction
Comments on Technological Change
A Brief History of Computers
The Emergence of the Chip
Summary
Notes
Additional Readings
4 The Business World
Introduction
Data Processing Systems
Management Information Systems: A Promise Unrealized?
The Office of the Future
Organizational and Social Issues
Summary
Notes
Additional Readings
5 Medicine and Computers
Introduction
Medical Information Systems
Medical Applications
Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
Computers and the Disabled
Social Issues
Summary
Notes
Additional Readings
6 Computers and Education
Introduction
Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI)
Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL)
Computers in Higher Education
Computer Literacy
Issues and Problems
Summary
Notes
Additional Readings
7 Government and Computers
Introduction
Information Processing: Issues and Problems
The Political Process
The Nation's Defense
Issues and Problems
Summary
Notes
Additional Readings
8 Computers and the Law
Introduction
Computer Crime
The Legal Protection of Software
Other Developments
Summary
Notes
Additional Readings
9 Privacy and Freedom of Information
Introduction
The Nature of Privacy
Databases
Privacy Legislation
Freedom of Information
Issues and Problems: Present and Future
Summary
Notes
Additional Readings
10 Employment and Unemployment
Introduction
Experiences of Workers
Computers and Employment
The Response of Unions
Women, Computers, and Work
The Changing Nature of Work
Summary
Notes
Additional Readings
11 Business and Government
Introduction
Industry Regulation
EFTS: Electronic Funds Transfer Systems
Competitiveness
National Industrial Policy
Other Issues
Summary
Notes
Additional Readings
12 Robotics and Industrial Automation
Introduction
Industrial Robotics
Current Use and Development
Why Use Robots? Work and Productivity
Industrial Automation
Summary
Notes
Additional Readings
13 The Information Society
Introduction
The Home/Personal Computer
Electronic Mail, Teleconferencing, and Bulletin Boards
Videotex
Perspectives on the Information Society
Summary
Notes
Additional Readings
14 Ethics and Professionalism
Introduction
Ethics
Professionalism
Final Comments
Summary
Notes
Additional Readings
Appendix: Magazines, Journals, and Associations
Index