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Article
Publication date: 8 August 2016

Rollin M. Omari and Masoud Mohammadian

The developing academic field of machine ethics seeks to make artificial agents safer as they become more pervasive throughout society. In contrast to computer ethics, machine…

Abstract

Purpose

The developing academic field of machine ethics seeks to make artificial agents safer as they become more pervasive throughout society. In contrast to computer ethics, machine ethics is concerned with the behavior of machines toward human users and other machines. This study aims to use an action-based ethical theory founded on the combinational aspects of deontological and teleological theories of ethics in the construction of an artificial moral agent (AMA).

Design/methodology/approach

The decision results derived by the AMA are acquired via fuzzy logic interpretation of the relative values of the steady-state simulations of the corresponding rule-based fuzzy cognitive map (RBFCM).

Findings

Through the use of RBFCMs, the following paper illustrates the possibility of incorporating ethical components into machines, where latent semantic analysis (LSA) and RBFCMs can be used to model dynamic and complex situations, and to provide abilities in acquiring causal knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

This approach is especially appropriate for data-poor and uncertain situations common in ethics. Nonetheless, to ensure that a machine with an ethical component can function autonomously in the world, research in artificial intelligence will need to further investigate the representation and determination of ethical principles, the incorporation of these ethical principles into a system’s decision procedure, ethical decision-making with incomplete and uncertain knowledge, the explanation for decisions made using ethical principles and the evaluation of systems that act based upon ethical principles.

Practical implications

To date, the conducted research has contributed to a theoretical foundation for machine ethics through exploration of the rationale and the feasibility of adding an ethical dimension to machines. Further, the constructed AMA illustrates the possibility of utilizing an action-based ethical theory that provides guidance in ethical decision-making according to the precepts of its respective duties. The use of LSA illustrates their powerful capabilities in understanding text and their potential application as information retrieval systems in AMAs. The use of cognitive maps provides an approach and a decision procedure for resolving conflicts between different duties.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that cognitive maps could be used in AMAs as tools for meta-analysis, where comparisons regarding multiple ethical principles and duties can be examined and considered. With cognitive mapping, complex and abstract variables that cannot easily be measured but are important to decision-making can be modeled. This approach is especially appropriate for data-poor and uncertain situations common in ethics.

Details

Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-996X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 June 2021

Amir Masoud Rahmani, Ali Ehsani, Mokhtar Mohammadi, Adil Hussein Mohammed, Sarkhel H. Taher Karim and Mehdi Hosseinzadeh

The concept of e-learning is essential in employee education since it provides different ways to develop employees' knowledge, skills and attitudes using modern technologies…

Abstract

Purpose

The concept of e-learning is essential in employee education since it provides different ways to develop employees' knowledge, skills and attitudes using modern technologies. E-learning has been overgrowing in employee education because learning can be held anytime and anywhere. In order to succeed in implementing e-learning and benefiting from its capacities, and avoiding potential threats in the country, it is necessary to address the factors affecting its success. This paper aims to test the role of internet of Things (IoT)-based systems, cloud-based services, virtual classes, evaluation tools, attitude, content management and creativity on the success of employees' e-learning programs based on a framework.

Design/methodology/approach

E-learning systems receive ever-increasing attention in academia, business and public administration. With the development of e-learning, employee education has also benefited from its capacities in various fields. To succeed in implementing e-learning and benefiting from its capacities, and avoiding potential threats in the country, it is necessary to address its success. The proposing of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-based technologies such as the IoT, cloud, etc., in e-learning, can help transform education. Therefore, this paper aims to test the role of IoT-based systems, cloud-based services, virtual classes, evaluation tools, attitude, content management and creativity on the success of employees' e-learning programs based on a framework. The research model and the data collected from the questionnaires have been analyzed via Smart PLS 3.2. This study has utilized the SEM to evaluate the causal model's reliability and validity based on measurement. According to the literature in this study, a framework has been proposed that examines the impact of IoT-based systems, cloud-based services, virtual classes, evaluation tools, attitude, content management and creativity on employees' learning programs' success.

Findings

The results have shown that IoT-based systems, cloud-based services, virtual classes and evaluation tools are four significant factors affecting attitude, content management and creativity. The results have also shown that attitude, content management and creativity are three significant factors affecting employees' learning programs' success. The factors above are considered critical in explaining the success of employees' e-learning programs, but, as far as we know, there has been no study in which all these factors were demonstrated together.

Practical implications

From a practical viewpoint, the statistical outcomes support the important role of the following factors: IoT-based systems, cloud-based services, virtual classes, evaluation tools, attitude, content management and creativity. Henceforth, aspects relating to these factors got the attention of any organization to develop e-learning processes.

Originality/value

This research will contribute to the literature related to employees' e-learning programs' success by integrating all the mentioned variables. As far as we know, it is the first study to test these variables in Iran.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 51 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 June 2019

Vahid Jaferian, Davood Toghraie, Farzad Pourfattah, Omid Ali Akbari and Pouyan Talebizadehsardari

The purpose of this study is three-dimensional flow and heat transfer investigation of water/Al2O3 nanofluid inside a microchannel with different cross-sections in two-phase mode.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is three-dimensional flow and heat transfer investigation of water/Al2O3 nanofluid inside a microchannel with different cross-sections in two-phase mode.

Design/methodology/approach

The effect of microchannel walls geometry (trapezoidal, sinusoidal and stepped microchannels) on flow characteristics and also changing circular cross section to trapezoidal cross section in laminar flow at Reynolds numbers of 50, 100, 300 and 600 were investigated. In this study, two-phase water/Al2O3 nanofluid is simulated by the mixture model, and the effect of volume fraction of nanoparticles on performance evaluation criterion (PEC) is studied. The accuracy of obtained results was compared with the experimental and numerical results of other similar papers.

Findings

Results show that in flow at lower Reynolds numbers, sinusoidal walls create a pressure drop in pure water flow which improves heat transfer to obtain PEC < 1. However, in sinusoidal and stepped microchannel with higher Reynolds numbers, PEC > 1. Results showed that the stepped microchannel had higher pressure drop, better thermal performance and higher PEC than other microchannels.

Originality/value

Review of previous studies showed that existing papers have not compared and investigated nanofluid in a two-phase mode in inhomogeneous circular, stepped and sinusoidal cross and trapezoidal cross-sections by considering the effect of changing channel shape, which is the aim of the present paper.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 30 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

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