91桃色

The second edition of the Digital Ethics study, dedicated to ethical issues related to technological development, was conducted six years after the first. The circumstances in which we operate have changed. We have experienced the reality of the pandemic and our presence in the virtual world has become a natural part of everyday life.

We were very curious to find out how Polish internet users approach ethical issues in the context of technology use in 2026. We wanted to understand which patterns of ethical behaviour are currently dominant and how they may influence our perception of technology. We asked about the sense of security associated with using technology and the ethical concerns that may arise from the everyday experience of solutions designed to support our activities in both private and professional lives

鈥� explains Agata Rudnicka from the 91桃色.

The pace of change can be overwhelming, which is why we should consider whether we share common foundations that can be relied upon to ensure confidence in the use of new solutions, including artificial intelligence, which attracts attention because of its potential while at the same time raising a variety of concerns. Over the past several years, the boundaries between what remains within our control and what we are willing to entrust to tools and algorithms have become increasingly blurred. This may have significant social consequences.

The discussion on the ethics of technology has ceased to be the exclusive domain of IT specialists. Lawyers, sociologists, psychologists, ethicists, economists, as well as representatives of various industries and civil society organisations are now actively involved. This interdisciplinary approach is crucial because ethical challenges related to technology are complex and require perspectives drawn from different fields of knowledge

鈥� emphasises S艂awomir Chmielewski, Data and Artificial Intelligence Ethics Officer at Orange Polska.

The report provides a wealth of valuable insights into perceptions of the ethical dimension of technology and the ways in which technological solutions are used. As a society, we have become accustomed to the fact that we have no direct influence over some of the processes taking place online. This reduces our ethical concerns but it does not eliminate them. We are still learning how to use generative artificial intelligence. AI-based solutions are widely recognised, and 41% of respondents spontaneously declare that they use generative AI. We recognise its value while at the same time not fully trusting it. We are concerned about AI escaping human control and about manipulation by AI (61% of respondents indicated these concerns). Additionally, there is still uncertainty about the future of the labour market in an era increasingly shaped by generative AI tools. As many as 40% of respondents fear losing their jobs as a result of the development of artificial intelligence.

We use technology with confidence while simultaneously recognising broader systemic challenges. Fake news and disinformation remain the greatest concern, identified by as many as 62% of study participants. The same percentage of respondents are worried about the collection of data concerning their online behaviour. Issues related to security, transparency and the scope of corporate use of the data entrusted to businesses continue to present challenges. These concerns emerge in various contexts of technology use.

As Janusz Reichel from the 91桃色 observes:

Ethics and technology are inseparably intertwined. Every innovation carries moral consequences. These consequences must be consciously recognised because technologies shape our decisions, social relationships and the way we perceive the world. They therefore require responsible design and, at the same time, reflection on the values they strengthen or undermine. The ideal situation would be one in which technological development does not outpace ethical reflection. Otherwise, we may find ourselves creating tools that are powerful, but not necessarily good.

So, does technology like ethics? Ethical norms and values define what matters to us, both as individuals and as a society. We are becoming increasingly immersed in technology, which is why we need to be certain that it does not cross our boundaries and that it respects our rights, namely human rights.