As an instrument of control, IT improves reliability, accuracy and speed of systems. However, it can also be used to control people. An automatic aircraft landing system provides an example of increased reliability resulting from IT control. Employer surveillance of employees represents a new kind of control imposed on people.

In The News

Pilot That Overshot Airport

In this article, two pilots of Northwest Airlines missed thier destination by 150 miles. The pilots had left the plane on autopilot and assumed it would take them to thier destination safely. The pilots' reliability on this technology proved to be fatal becuase they were both suspened as pilots. (comment from instructor: no mention in description of the autopilot system taking over control of the aircraft; thus missing the air field)