SENIOR project initiates ethical debate on ICT for the elderly
'We need a global initiative on the issues of ethics and privacy of information and communication technologies [ICT],' Professor Emilio Mordini told CORDIS News. But before embarking on such a colossal task, the Professor is leading a smaller, yet equally ambitious initiative, looking into the social, ethical and privacy issues of ICT solutions destined for the growing elderly population. This is the EU-funded SENIOR project, which was officially launched on 4 March. Dubbed Assistive Technologies (AT), these technologies aim to improve the day-to-day activities of the elderly, as well as people with disabilities, to supplement their loss of independence. However, while they hold great promise on the one hand, these technologies can also run the risk of further isolating the these population groups. 'Technology can alleviate the burden of dependency by allowing people to live autonomously at home or in an assisted environment,' Professor Mordini told CORDIS News. 'Yet technology can also seriously threaten people's autonomy and dignity,' he added. For these reasons the project will aim to provide a systematic assessment of the social, ethical and privacy issues involved in ICT and ageing. Through a series of thematic expert meetings, the eight academic and private sector partners will for the first time analyse current technological trends to understand what lessons should be learned and then plan future strategies for governing tomorrow's technological trends. Surveillance technology is just one area which is likely to undergo rigorous assessment by the project consortium. 'Modern information technology has increased the possibilities for surveillance. Relevant supervision technologies in the field of welfare services may be, for instance, sensors in exit doors that give warning about undesired movement or a form of electronic tag making localisation of the elderly possible,' says Professor Mordini. 'These applications pose serious ethical questions. What ethical and privacy frameworks should be constructed to protect senior citizens, sometimes less able to give consent, from abuse by researchers? How can one ensure users' control over these systems?' he asks. In addition to assessing the risks associated with ICT solutions, the project will also aim to identify the ICT services and solutions that are most relevant to the goal of preventing social exclusion, promoting the inclusion of elderly people. Finally, it will plan how ethics and privacy principles can be incorporated into the design of these new technologies right from the start. The main outcome of the project will be a roadmap, which its authors hope will drive future development and deployment of ICT for ageing, while incorporating the ethical privacy principles defined by the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights.