Saving Energy with the Internet of Things

1. Saving Energy with the Internet of Things By: Raymond Morris

2. What is it? • The “Internet of Things” • Network of communication between devices • i.e. electronics, computers, and power grids • Bots – smart computer programs • Used to monitor and control networks • Energy use minimized by bots • Eliminates excess energy use Article at: http://www.tuwien.ac.at/en/news/news_detail/article/7193/

3. 8-Step Ethical Decision-Making • Step 1: Ethical Issues • Security of data collected from electronic devices. • More control being given to software. • Software can have bugs • Humans can also make errors • Software can be tampered with through a network

4. 8-Step Ethical Decision-Making • Step 2: Stakeholders • General public • Save energy in homes • More convenience • Businesses • Save energy use in factories/plants/offices • Earth • Energy could possible be used more efficiently making for a more green planet

5. 8-Step Ethical Decision-Making • Step 3: Possible Solutions • Do not use the Internet of Things at all. • Use Internet of Things only within companies that are overusing too much energy, not for general public. • Let everybody have access to Internet-of-Things-friendly devices. • I would choose the third option, to let everybody have access.

6. 8-Step Ethical Decision-Making • Step 4: Would I let everybody use my solution? • “Let everybody have access to Internet-of-Things-friendly devices.” • Of course I would, letting everybody have access to it is part of the solution • This would be a step forward in revolutionizing the Internet • This solution treats people as ends because it seeks the greater good, and to benefit everybody with more efficient energy use.

7. 8-Step Ethical Decision-Making • Step 5: Is the solution in accord with human nature? • Yes, the solution is in accord with human nature because we are advancing ourselves forward by making greater use of the Internet while helping our environment. • Step 5: Is the solution balanced? • I think it is balanced in the aspect that we do not deny everybody a great advantage, and excessiveness would be forcing it upon everybody, instead of offering it.

8. 8-Step Ethical Decision-Making • Step 6: Would majority agree that this is an efficient means to the end? • Yes because everybody benefits in a monetary and green way. • Step 6: Will this produce the greatest good for the greatest amount of people? • It will create the greatest good for as many people that are willing to use it and trust software.

9. 8-Step Ethical Decision-Making • Step 7: Am I committed to this solution? • I really do believe this solution is a step in the right path of making more effective use of our Internet. • Step 7: Do you choose this solution in an autonomous manner, as the final arbiter of the good, free from the influence of others? • I have chosen this solution in accordance with what I have seen and learned from computer science and the world today.

10. 8-Step Ethical Decision-Making • Step 8: Which philosophy influenced the solution most? • I think realism influenced my solution the most because using the Internet of Things seems to be the most practical and helpful thing to do with it. • Saving energy is just one use of the Internet of Things. • There are many practical applications for bots, otherwise known as agents. • I.e. detecting malfunctions, managing stock in stores

11. ACM Code • Applies to the following in General Moral Imperatives: • 1.1 Contribute to society and human well-being. • 1.2 Avoid harm to others. • 1.4 Be fair and take action not to discriminate. • 1.7 Respect the privacy of others. • 1.8 Honor confidentiality.