SIPC 2013 - IEEE International Workshop on Social Implications of Pervasive Computing

The technology associated with pervasive computing is progressively approaching levels of sufficient accuracy, dependability and suitable cost. As a result, we will soon see a shift from implementations in controlled research laboratories to implementations in real world everyday applications; the next stage in the development of pervasive computing.
Pervasive technologies have the potential for literal ubiquitous use in almost all public, personal and commercial aspects of our lives. This ubiquity will enable and lead to, the emergence of new, unprecedented applications on a previously unseen scale. The benefits of this technology are numerous and wide ranging, but alongside this are the implications of the technology, brought about by the scale of pervasive computing and its use.
Research into the social aspects of pervasive computing has thus far generally focused on the positive applications of the technology, with insufficient discussion of its potential high impacting social consequences. The intention of this workshop is to focus on and explore the social implications of pervasive computing, and from this to develop theories, methods and guidelines to encourage the technology to achieve maximum benefit, with minimal consequence.
If the implications of pervasive computing are to be prevented/minimised, research must be discussed and conducted now, while the technology is still in development. This will lead to guidance for the wider pervasive computing community, and provide sufficient time to consider the impact of the technology being developed.