The IT Professional and Professional Ethics: Foundations and Current Challenges

In this course, students will understand the fundamental ethical principles guiding work in Information Technology, based on the Code of Ethics of the Brazilian Computer Society (SBC). Core values are covered, such as integrity, honesty, privacy, confidentiality, social responsibility, and respect for intellectual property, emphasizing that the public good must guide every professional decision.

The module also explores the technical and social responsibilities of IT professionals, emphasizing quality, security, continuous learning, digital accessibility, non-discrimination, and transparency. Everyday ethical dilemmas are discussed, such as excessive data collection, software piracy, commercial fraud, and improper use of algorithms, highlighting the legal and reputational consequences of unethical conduct.

Finally, students will study emerging challenges in the digital age, such as ethics in Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, as well as the importance of building a strong professional ethical culture. The module emphasizes that trust is the IT professional's greatest asset and that responsible decisions are essential to ensure positive social impact, ethical innovation, and a sustainable career in technology.