ACCOUNTANT_SUMMER18_AMENDED_PG12

ETHICAL AND SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
digital divide in our society. Somebody born in the digital
world enjoys the benefits which are self-perpetuating
as the child is educated and socialized in a digital
environment. On the other hand, being deprived of this
reality will place people at a disadvantage. An uneven
distribution of opportunities creates differences,
prejudice and rejection. This is how minorities are
ostracized – due to their lack of opportunities to learn
and be qualified in what is demanded by the new world.
Will there ever be a replacement of the human person
by technology? What are the implications of this on
employment and social conditions? It is easy to fall
into a pessimistic view and a sense of hopelessness.
Indeed, facts are showing the opposite in terms of
employment opportunities. On the other hand, it is
also true that technology has increased anxiety and
stress and psychological health problems.
Which is the other side of the story?
Digitisation, artificial intelligence and robotics can
offer more time to persons for the family, friends and
relaxation. A more balanced individual with time to
work, love and play.
Digitisation and consequent improved productivity,
releases work time for creativity in the arts and
sciences. More time for the appreciation of visual arts,
literature, theatre and performances, while time and
money are invested in research and development.
At each stage of the process we are basing our
judgements on responsibility and trust. Responsibility
of the various social and economic actors in the ecosystem,
whether it is the state, business, worker or
consumer. This responsibility in decision-making and
policy-making goes beyond that of awareness of not
harming others (creating unemployment or a digital
divide), but that of encouraging, cooperating and
developing others in not falling backwards in this
movement of technological progress.
It is also a matter of trust. Do we trust business,
financial institutions, the state, the judiciary, the
regulators? We are living in a period of extreme
cynicism if not repugnance of the “establishment”
which has disappointed people mostly because of its
hypocrisy and its invariable attitude of exclusiveness,
greed, rejection of accountability and dishonesty.
This trust in leadership needs to be regained if we are
to rebuild a society open to technology and having
faith in what is good and of benefit to society.
In the concluding document called “The Madrid
Conclusions for the Common Good” as part of the
Dublin Process – A Dialogue on the Economy and
the Common Good (www.centesimusannus.org)
held at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid,
a number of practical proposals were presented to
strengthen the link between responsibility and trust
in modern technology:
1. Dialogue between business, employees’
representatives and civic society on the value of
technological innovation and the way that this can
improve productivity, job security and well-being.
2. New ways of cooperation to be explored between
the public and the private sector to design “transition
projects” to mitigate the risks on employment and
to incentivize leadership in the digital economy.
22 Summer 2018