Presentation to the NUS Engineering Faculty: Perspectives on Ethics – Towards an Ethical Legal Framework for Technological Innovation

This presentation by A/P Daniel Seng to the NUS Engineering School Scholars Programme focused on how engineers should grapple with the broad impact of technological innovations and how they have to step up to public expectations in complex situations where there are conflicting ethical priorities, multiple stakeholders and no single “right” answer, from the perspective of the law. The presentation made the argument that even though the law lags behind technology and is slow to address the specific issues that arise from the impact of technological innovations, a framework exists in the law that guides the engineer in the discharge of his or her legal, moral and ethical responsibilities that on occasion goes beyond merely abiding by existing laws. In sum, the presentation made the point that engineers can play a role in shaping the legal and ethical frameworks to address the impact of technology on society.