Computers, Information Technology, the Internet, Ethics, Society and Human Values

Philip Pecorino, Ph.D.

Queensborough Community College,  CUNY

Chapter 9 Information Technologies and Accountability

Case-Presentation

There are frequent reports of problems for human beings that result from either the faulty operation of computer technologies or the misuse of them or their collapse.  Sometimes the results are immediate and obvious and unfortunately there are cases where people have died as a result of some computer problem.  There has been trouble at the London Ambulance Service, in particular with their computer-based ambulance dispatching system.  Some deaths were attributed to that computerized system.

London Ambulance Service

• The London Ambulance Case

• Comments by Brian Randell  Trevor Jenkins

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Web Surfer's Caveat: These are class notes, intended to comment on readings and amplify class discussion. They should be read as such. They are not intended for publication or general distribution. ppecorino@qcc.cuny.edu                @copyright 2006 Philip A. Pecorino                       

Last updated 8-2006                                                              Return to Table of Contents