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Do you ever have (and use) opportunities to bring up the ethical aspects? It’s becoming a more prominent thing for people in the industry, and it makes sense to discuss before people leave academia. I know it’s not your problem to solve, but I think if the university isn’t talking about the ethical considerations it’s tacitly endorsing the ‘technology is value-neutral’ philosophy that’s begun to get some pushback.

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I have with friends, but with undergraduates this is a bit more difficult.

An undergrad tells me they are going to FB for an internship. I am not their tutor or mentor beyond teaching. They have gone through stress and trouble for their internship, and it's too late to get something else for the year.

The only thing I can do in this instance (where there is no chance at all they would give up their internship to do nothing) is make them feel bad about it. Uncomfortable situation.

Honestly, I think the department should step up and disinvite FB from campus events and not allow them to advertise. It should also hold courses on ethical impact of technology and discuss a few cases of misuse.

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