CHAPTER 3: Ethics, Sustainable Development, and Emerging Technologies
3.1. Introduction
3.1. Link between ethics and sustainable development
3.1.1. Definition of sustainable development
3.1.2. Role of ethics in technological choices
3.2. Ethics and energy efficiency
3.2.1. Global energy challenges
3.2.2. Role of electrical machines in energy efficiency
3.2.3. Ethical responsibility of the engineer
3.3. Bioethics and new technologies
3.3.1. Concept of bioethics
3.3.2. Artificial intelligence and ethics
3.3.3. Humanoid robots and robotics
3.3.4. Drones and autonomous technologies
3.4. Scientific progress and social responsibility
3.5. Conclusion3.1. Introduction
3.1. Introduction
Scientific and technological progress has profoundly transformed modern societies, particularly in the fields of energy, automation, and intelligent systems. Electrical machines, energy conversion systems, artificial intelligence, robotics, and drones now play a central role in industry, transportation, healthcare, and everyday life. However, these advances raise major ethical challenges, notably in terms of responsibility, safety, environmental impact, and respect for human beings.
Sustainable development, based on a balance between economic progress, environmental protection, and social justice, has become an essential framework for engineers. In this context, ethics acts as a guiding compass, helping to orient technological choices toward solutions that are responsible, sustainable, and socially acceptable.
Figure 3.1 Artificial intelligence and sustainable development: ethical challenges and opportunities
This chapter aims to analyze the close relationship between ethics and sustainable development, to examine the role of technologies in reducing energy consumption, and to discuss the ethical issues associated with emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, humanoid robots, and drones. The objective is to raise students’ awareness of their responsibility as future engineers with regard to the societal and environmental impacts of innovation.