Ethics in the Digital Age as a Principle of Professional Conduct

Abstract

Ethics in the digital era, as a principle of professional behaviour, has become increasingly important and is seen as a future concern with the development and technological progress in this era of digital transformation. The aim of this research was to integrate the collected studies on the evolution of ethics in the technological field as well as the implications provided in those researches where ethics applied to the field of technology and communication need a rigorous and systematic handling. The methodology used presented a qualitative, descriptive, and documentary approach, analysing the relationship between technology and the importance of ethics in the professional field. The research is supported by Kitchenham’s systematic literature review method, which allows evidence of the behaviour of professionals who use information technologies as part of their daily performance. In view of this finding, it is concluded that technology must apply a principle of responsibility with the aim of benefiting society and not just the scientific field, as a support for ethics to raise awareness among stakeholders about informed consent and professional codes of conduct, which are unknown in most of the technological fields.