Technology: Laws and Ethics a Decade Behind in the Digital Age
Reflecting on how rapid technological innovation necessitates a fresh educational and ethical approach for society.
Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, transforming behaviors and markets. However, legislation and ethics consistently lag, creating unprecedented challenges. Sergio Maria discusses the 10-year gap in laws and the crucial role of digital education.
The digital universe is in constant and dizzying flux, a central theme in the discussion with Sergio Maria, renowned Board Member, CEO of companies like 42ENGINE and 42WP, and a columnist for TecMundo. A former executive at giants such as Google, Globo, and CNN Brasil, Maria addresses the complex relationship between technological advancement, the evolution of human behavior, economic impact, and, above all, the lagging pace of laws, focusing on the crucial importance of education and ethics for navigating this new reality.
The Unstoppable Dynamic of Digital Innovation
Sergio Maria emphasizes that technology advances at a much faster pace than human behavior and the economy. A technological disruption often creates a new habit. If this habit becomes frequent, it generates a new behavior. This new behavioral pattern, in turn, causes a significant economic impact, often catching companies by surprise with the speed of change. It's a cycle where innovation is initially slow but suddenly explodes, completely redefining the landscape.
Predicting Side Effects is Challenging
One of the major challenges in building new technologies is the difficulty in predicting all the side effects that will emerge with mass behavioral change. This is evident in current debates on regulation and data protection, topics that are crucial for society but appear to evolve at a frustratingly different pace than technological advancement. Legislation, in this scenario, is constantly playing catch-up with a reality that has already profoundly transformed.
The Legislative Mismatch: A Decade Behind
Sergio Maria's observation is incisive: legislation always seems to be a decade behind technological innovation. While technology and societal behavior move rapidly forward, laws attempt to regulate a world that no longer exists or is in constant flux. This mismatch not only creates regulatory gaps but also challenges the adaptability of companies and society as a whole, generating insecurity and the need for more urgent ethical debates.
Ethics and Education: The True Debate on Artificial Intelligence
For Sergio Maria, the true debate surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not purely technological, but rather intrinsically ethical and educational. He argues that the discussion about AI ethics truly reflects the ethics of those who use it. Responsibility in using the digital ecosystem falls upon individuals, and education emerges as the primary tool to face the challenges of this era, equipping people to make conscious decisions.
Shaping Responsible Digital Citizens for the Future
It is fundamental for children and young people to learn early on how to identify fake news, understand the value of online privacy and exposure, and internalize responsibility for what they publish on the internet – after all, "what you say is not erased." Sergio Maria's maxim, "what is right remains right, even if no one is doing it, and what is wrong also remains wrong, even if everyone is doing it," should guide the use of any technology. The perception of a lack of ethics in AI, most of the time, reflects the lack of ethics of those who program or operate it. It is our role, as parents, educators, and leaders, to instill these values from the very first interactions with the digital world.
This journey through digital transformation is much more than a series of technological advancements; it is a constant evolution of our society and of our understanding of ethics, responsibility, and digital citizenship. Just as with any journey, preparation and prior knowledge are essential to navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that the digital future holds for us, allowing innovation to be a driver of responsible progress, regardless of the speed at which laws can keep pace.