Is Technology Out of Control? What Professional Engineers Need to Know

Professional engineers choose to work in the engineering industry because they can use their creativity to solve problems. They can create innovative products. They can change the world.

While improving upon current products to make life easier and better is generally a good thing, sometimes it can lead to dangerous consequences. Engineering issues over the past century have led to collapsed bridges, walkways and buildings, as well as defective cars and space shuttles. Many people have been seriously injured or killed due to these engineering failures.

While it is always good to move forward in the realm of technology, it must be done safely. When the public’s health and safety are compromised, professional engineers can be held liable. They can face penalties such as warnings and fines. They can also face license suspension and revocation.

Innovation Over Ethics

Some professional engineers seem to think that innovation should be the focus at all costs, but sometimes changing the world does not necessarily make it better. There have been numerous stories about technology causing more harm than good, and as a result, many professional engineers are not proud of their profession. They do not want to be associated with the danger in the world.

Innovation has led to the development of robots, cellphones and powerful companies. While these aspects may seem great in hindsight, they have led to many issues in society, such as loss of privacy, scams, spam, decrease in security, lost jobs, addictions and conspiracies. What technology has accomplished has led to ethical issues and even the loss of human rights.

Because of this, innovation and ethics tend to collide in the engineering world. Sometimes professional engineers are in such a rush to get a building or project completed that they do not take the time to think about the safety of the final product and the ramifications involved. They just want to get it done at all costs, even if human life is in jeopardy.

Unethical engineering should not be condoned. Professional engineers have an obligation to clients, society as a whole and their profession. They need to think about their conduct when creating projects and whether or not their behavior is moral. They are known for making tools, and these tools can be used for good or bad. It’s time to focus on the good and think about innovations that can be used to ultimately help humankind, not harm them. This can be a tough problem for professional engineers, but isn’t that what they need? 

Keep Your License With Help From a Tampa Professional Engineers Licensing Lawyer 

Professional engineers are always looking for ways to solve problems through innovation, but sometimes ethical issues arise. These improvements are not always good for society or the environment.

Professional engineers must focus on safety first. Keep your license and prevent administrative issues with help of Tampa professional engineers licensing lawyer David P. Rankin. He has represented more than 100 professional engineers before the Florida Board of Professional Engineers. Schedule a consultation by calling his office at (813) 968-6633 or filling out the online form.

Resource:

spectrum.ieee.org/at-work/innovation/when-innovation-and-ethics-collide

https://www.davidrankinlaw.com/importance-of-a-professional-engineers-license/