Paper details

Paper authors	Olivia Iannelli
In panel on	Ethics and Technology in Humanitarian Settings
Paper presenter(s) will be presenting	In-Person / Online

Abstract

By Olivia Ianelli and Katrina Petersen

Recent years have seen the rise of new tools and technologies in humanitarian settings. This paper discusses the socio-cultural consequences following the introduction of new technologies in conflict settings. The author analyses instances and examples of where the introduction and use of such tools could cause significant harm to both humanitarian workers and beneficiaries and have wider socio-cultural implications. With regard to the societal factors, these are considered anything which is related to the habits, beliefs and traditions which characterise a society. Such necessary considerations include: gender issues, social impact, liability, trust, and religious and cultural issues. The author provides an example from the Horizon 2020 EU-funded project iTRACK (Integrated system for real-time TRACKing and collective intelligence in civilian humanitarian missions) to exemplify these considerations in practice. The examples provided feature the various iTRACK components on which the author comments at length following desk-based research, simulations of the iTRACK system and interviews with both project partners and experts. In turn, the author concludes by outlining the importance of ethical impact assessments of new technologies in the humanitarian field with particular focus on social and cultural issues.

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