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Short abstract:

Project: To integrate ethical values in technology development a structured collaboration between users and creators is necessary. Our tool Sensorkit enables this in terms of privacy in the home. Users gather sensor data in their home combined with individual and collaborative ethical reflection.

Long abstract:

Q1: Ethical reflection on technology is a shared responsibility of creators and users. STS scientists and ethicists play a key role in identifying and defining ethical values, facilitating communication and raising awareness. However, Berger et al. (2023) point out that even technologies with good intentions can have unintended negative consequences. Therefore, a structured collaboration is required to create value-driven participatory technology design frameworks.

Q2: Our project "Simplications" expands on Kurze et al.'s (2020) use of a Sensorkit to engage participants in data interpretation and employs participatory design to explore smart home privacy. This approach has been instrumental in identifying potential abuses (Berger et al., 2023). We develop an additional workbook to encourage ethical reflection. A prototype tool is available for discussion.

Q3: We voluntarily applied for a University's ethics approval. Furthermore, our interdisciplinary team steers reflections through different lenses. At international workshops, the Sensorkit is combined with ethical reflection canvases. We also reach out to a wide range of citizens to gather insights: Your call for participation inspired us to facilitate an internal workshop about our own ethical values.

Members of the project: Alexa Becker is a researcher at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Karola Köpferl is a PhD candidate at TU Chemnitz, Andy Börner is a researcher at TU Chemnitz, Albrecht Kurze is a post-doctoral researcher at TU Chemnitz, Arne Berger is a professor at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences and Andreas Bischof is a Juniorprofessor at TU Chemnitz.