Software has eaten the world — and with it, the decisions we make as engineers send ripples across industries, societies, and lives. But are we truly aware of the impact our work has — and the ethical responsibility that comes with it? And now, as AI accelerates that impact and amplifies consequences at scale, the ethical stakes are even higher.
Let’s think a bit more deeply and look beyond headline scandals – like those of Cambridge Analytica, Boeing, and Volkswagen. And recognize that what we should care about goes beyond just delivering on time software that meets the requirements. Let’s confront some often-ignored ethical topics that quietly shape our codebases, products, projects and careers.
Moral implications, hard choices, and ethical dilemmas — we often face these with their blurred lines between right and wrong. I’ll share real-world industry cases and personal stories from my three-decade-long journey in tech. The talk is an invitation to reflect on what it means to lead an ethical professional life and what practical steps we can take for creating a positive impact on society. Expect a provocative and personal perspective that challenges assumptions, sparks critical questions, and offers practical ideas for acting with integrity – individually, within your team, and across your organization.
