GCSE Computer Science Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impact test

A DDOS attack is covered by the Computer Misuse Act (1) section 3 (1) because they are impairing the operation of a computer system. (1)

Answers in pairs of benefit and description: Authors can earn money (1) by selling for a fee // using licences to stop unauthorised use (1); No-one can see the code (1) users cannot edit/change the software // by example inserting malware (1) so it cannot be copied/resold/shared (1); More control over intellectual property // by example e.g. restrict users, restrict what can be done with the software without permission (1)

Answers in pairs of benefit and description: Users can view/edit the (source) code // Users can edit the program/software (1) to tailor/improve/adapt it to do what they need/want (1); if errors are found (1) they can be fixed (by any user and shared) (1); Users can view the source code (1) so they can learn how the software works (1) It's freely accessible (1) so they don't have to pay (1) Users can edit the source code (1) so they can redistribute it with changes (1)

Mark Band 3 - High Level (6-8 marks)
The candidate demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of a wide range of considerations in relation to the question; the material is generally accurate and detailed. The candidate is able to apply their knowledge and understanding directly and consistently to the context provided. Evidence/examples will be explicitly relevant to the explanation. The candidate is able to weigh up both sides of the discussion and includes reference to the impact on all areas showing thorough recognition of influencing factors. There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is clear and logically structured. The information presented is relevant and substantiated.
Mark Band 2 - Mid Level (3-5 marks)
The candidate demonstrates reasonable knowledge and understanding of a range of considerations in relation to the question; the material is generally accurate but at times underdeveloped. The candidate is able to apply their knowledge and understanding directly to the context provided although one or two opportunities are missed. Evidence/examples are for the most part implicitly relevant to the explanation. The candidate makes a reasonable attempt to discuss the impact and most are showing reasonable recognition of influencing factors. There is a line of reasoning presented with some structure. The information presented is in the most part relevant and supported by some evidence.
Mark Band 1 - Low Level (1-2 marks) The candidate demonstrates a basic knowledge of considerations with limited understanding shown; the material is basic and contains some inaccuracies. The candidate makes a limited attempt to apply acquired knowledge and understanding to the context provided. The candidate provides nothing more than an unsupported assertion. The information is basic and communicated in an unstructured way. The information is supported by limited evidence and the relationship to the evidence may not be clear.
0 marks
No attempt to answer the question or response is not worthy of credit

Legal issues: Who is responsible in the event of a crash?
Ethical issues: Some road users may not feel comfortable sharing the road with driverless vehicles; they may be safer than regular trucks; could they be hacked?
Environmental: Driverless trucks may be able to be more energy efficient; people have to spend less time in traffic
Cultural: Could cause widespread job losses

Mark Band 3 - High Level (6-8 marks)
The candidate demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of a wide range of considerations in relation to the question; the material is generally accurate and detailed. The candidate is able to apply their knowledge and understanding directly and consistently to the context provided. Evidence/examples will be explicitly relevant to the explanation. The candidate is able to weigh up both sides of the discussion and includes reference to the impact on all areas showing thorough recognition of influencing factors. There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is clear and logically structured. The information presented is relevant and substantiated.
Mark Band 2 - Mid Level (3-5 marks)
The candidate demonstrates reasonable knowledge and understanding of a range of considerations in relation to the question; the material is generally accurate but at times underdeveloped. The candidate is able to apply their knowledge and understanding directly to the context provided although one or two opportunities are missed. Evidence/examples are for the most part implicitly relevant to the explanation. The candidate makes a reasonable attempt to discuss the impact and most are showing reasonable recognition of influencing factors. There is a line of reasoning presented with some structure. The information presented is in the most part relevant and supported by some evidence.
Mark Band 1 - Low Level (1-2 marks) The candidate demonstrates a basic knowledge of considerations with limited understanding shown; the material is basic and contains some inaccuracies. The candidate makes a limited attempt to apply acquired knowledge and understanding to the context provided. The candidate provides nothing more than an unsupported assertion. The information is basic and communicated in an unstructured way. The information is supported by limited evidence and the relationship to the evidence may not be clear.
0 marks
No attempt to answer the question or response is not worthy of credit

Ethical: Will it be used to create deepfakes?; do the images perpetuate bias?
Legal: Questions over copyright and training data; who owns the copyright of an AI generated image?
Cultural: People with lower artistic skill will be able to easily create images; Artists may lose their incomes
Privacy: They may be trained on personal images; Deepfakes could be made of people

Mark Band 3 - High Level (6-8 marks)
The candidate demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of a wide range of considerations in relation to the question; the material is generally accurate and detailed. The candidate is able to apply their knowledge and understanding directly and consistently to the context provided. Evidence/examples will be explicitly relevant to the explanation. The candidate is able to weigh up both sides of the discussion and includes reference to the impact on all areas showing thorough recognition of influencing factors. There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is clear and logically structured. The information presented is relevant and substantiated.
Mark Band 2 - Mid Level (3-5 marks)
The candidate demonstrates reasonable knowledge and understanding of a range of considerations in relation to the question; the material is generally accurate but at times underdeveloped. The candidate is able to apply their knowledge and understanding directly to the context provided although one or two opportunities are missed. Evidence/examples are for the most part implicitly relevant to the explanation. The candidate makes a reasonable attempt to discuss the impact and most are showing reasonable recognition of influencing factors. There is a line of reasoning presented with some structure. The information presented is in the most part relevant and supported by some evidence.
Mark Band 1 - Low Level (1-2 marks) The candidate demonstrates a basic knowledge of considerations with limited understanding shown; the material is basic and contains some inaccuracies. The candidate makes a limited attempt to apply acquired knowledge and understanding to the context provided. The candidate provides nothing more than an unsupported assertion. The information is basic and communicated in an unstructured way. The information is supported by limited evidence and the relationship to the evidence may not be clear.
0 marks
No attempt to answer the question or response is not worthy of credit

Ethical: Can reduce the need for dangerous and physically demanding jobs improving worker safety; can optimise operations reducing waste; may lead to job losses; might be hacked posing risks to staff who work alongside
Cultural: Can drive economic growth; Creates jobs for engineers to maintain the systems; job loss is more likely to affect low skilled, low income families
Legal: Can reduce the risk of accidents; When accidents do happen liability is difficult to determine; Can raise concerns about data priacy and security
Environmental: Can optimise energy usage in warehouses; can reduce waste by improving inventory management; The production and maintanence of automated systems uses a lot of resources; As systems are improved the discarded parts contribute to the problems of e-waste