The last century has seen enormous leaps in the development of digital technologies, and most aspects of modern life have changed significantly with their widespread availability and use. Technology at various scales - supercomputers, corporate networks, desktop and laptop computers, the internet, tablets, mobile phones, and processors that are hidden in everyday devices and are so small you can barely see them with the naked eye - all pervade our world in a major way. Computers and Society: Modern Perspectives is a wide-ranging and comprehensive textbook that critically assesses the global technical achievements in digital technologies and how are they are applied in media; education and learning; medicine and health; free speech, democracy, and government; and war and peace. Ronald M. Baecker reviews critical ethical issues raised by computers, such as digital inclusion, security, safety, privacy,automation, and work, and discusses social, political, and ethical controversies and choices now faced by society. Particular attention is paid to new and exciting developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning, and the issues that have arisen from our complex relationship with AI.

"An exceptional encyclopaedic review of the vital issues of our time - it's a remarkable accomplishment by a leading researcher, educator, and entrepreneur ... This astonishing book should be required reading for every computer science student to sensitize them to the realities of technology's impact on society. Instructors will appreciate the well-organized chapters with wise recommendations for research projects, debate topics, book reviews, ethical concerns, and almost 2000 references for further reading." - Ben Shneiderman, University of Maryland