Continued: Open Space Discussion on Pervasive Computing – Using Opportunities, minimizing Risks
Friday, 17. October 2003 | 8:30 Uhr
Speaker
Reporting
On Friday, a further five topics were selected from 16 discussion forums and briefly but intensively discussed. The recommendation that came out of all these discussion groups was that there is an intense need today for society to address the issue of Pervasive Computing. Both politicians and authorities are called upon to ensure that appropriate safeguards are put in place. In particular, there is a need to ensure that the user is informed whenever the computer wants to act autonomously and that the user can also stop this if he wants to. This decision-making authority may not be delegated to the machine. Data protection, liability laws and consumer protection must be continually adapted to take account of the technical changes taking place. A need was also expressed for a technology-free space without the constant jingle of ringing mobile phones and laptops – rather like smoke-free zones – but only the future will tell whether society also wants this.
