With autonomous vehicles being more and more common it is more important now more than ever to consider the ethical implications of this. The IET has also noticed this and therefore has put out a set of rules of conduct that it expects its members to adhere to which includes guidance on whistleblowing. In the scenario where an autonomous vehicle might kill a civilian it is my duty as well as my team’s duty as IET engineers to whistle-blow it and to raise our concerns about the danger that it could pose. The company should react swiftly and openly to rectify the issue and to prevent any further danger or damage to occur.
If Team Foxtrot knew that an autonomous vehicle would kill a pedestrian, then we would 100% whistle blow even to the detriment of our position within the company as keeping people safe and healthy is the most important part of being an engineer.