In this conversation, we will explore the legal, ethical and safety challenges created by the immortality of digital data and how the engineering community can address them.

In the next online event as part of the Critical conversations series, Academy CEO, Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, will be joined by Professor Ana Basiri, Professor in Geospatial Data Science at the University of Glasgow and Safer End of Engineered Life Champion.

Unlike most engineered products, when digital data reaches the end of its useful life it can be stored indefinitely. In this conversation, we will explore the legal, ethical, and safety challenges created by the immortality of digital data and how the engineering community can address them. The conversation will also look whether ‘digital is always greener’ when data storage and maintenance is energy intensive and has such an environmental impact.

Addressing safety challenges in the decommissioning or disposal of engineered products is part of the Engineering X Safer End of Engineered Life mission.

Recording notice

Please note this event will be recorded and published on the Royal Academy of Engineering website. Your video will be off and your account will be muted throughout the entire event. Only the speakers and presentations will be visible on your screen.

Accessibility

It is very important to the Royal Academy of Engineering that our events are accessible to all. If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact the Events team at events@raeng.org.uk at your earliest convenience so that necessary arrangements can be made.