Computers and Our Society

Computer usage is classified as either (1) advisory, (2) leading to decisions by humans, or (3) with decisions being taken by a preprogrammed computer unless countermanded in time. Some examples of difficulties even in the first two categories imply that caution in the third is imperative. The computer technology learned from the space effort is not yet transferred to the bulk of computer usage.

Both legal and voluntary (professional) measures against misuse are discussed.