Session Details

Date: 28 October 2024

Time: 14:30 – 16:30 (SAST)

Format: Masterclass

Host: Campaign on Digital Ethics (CODE)

Facilitator: Kavisha Pillay

Venue: Glassbox, Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct

Session Overview

In this masterclass, we explore the vital intersection of technology, ethics, and human rights. As the digital landscape rapidly evolves, it brings a host of challenges—from algorithmic bias and privacy breaches to disinformation and the erosion of democratic principles. This session is designed to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of digital ethics and practical tools to address these pressing issues.

Led by Kavisha Pillay, founding director of the Campaign On Digital Ethics (CODE), the masterclass unpacks how traditional human rights are impacted in digital spaces and delves into the ethical frameworks that should guide responsible technology development. Using real-world case studies, we’ll examine how technology can both strengthen and weaken democracy.

The session will also address the ethics of building technology, highlighting the responsibility of developers, companies, and policymakers to ensure that technology serves the public interest. We’ll emphasise the need for systems that are transparent, fair, and inclusive, while protecting privacy and minimising harm.

Session Objectives

By the end of this masterclass, participants will be able to:
1. Explain key principles of digital ethics and how they intersect with human rights in the digital age.
2. Evaluate real-world case studies to understand the ethical dilemmas posed by modern technologies and the role they play in both advancing and undermining democracy.
3. Advocate for stronger digital rights and ethical accountability in technology through informed policy and legal interventions.