Ubiquitous Computing & Privacy

There is a fantastic course available at Open Course Ware, is Ambient Intelligence by Pr. Patricia Maes.

Course Topics

1 Introduction to Ambient Intelligence
2 Tangible and Ambient Interfaces
3 Interfaces with Common Sense
4 Software Agents and Intelligence Augmentation
5 Ubiquitous Computing
6 The Meaning of Things
7 Sensor Technologies
8 Augmented Reality/Mixed Realities
9 Intelligent Environments
10 Embedded Intelligence/Smart Objects
11 Pervasive Computing and Wearables
12 Location Based and Context-Aware Systems
13 Project Presentation

So if these the way Computing moves in the next 20 years what is going to be the role of privacy? There is this commentary in this report:

"Scenarios for Ambient Intelligence in 2010" By European Comisión,

A consistently strong response to AmI (Ambient Intelligence) is the need to
build trust and confidence. A key aspect is management of privacy: more open
systems tend to lower privacy levels. Technological developments are outpacing
regulatory adjustments. To what extent can people be protected in the AmI
landscape? What belief can we have that there will be effective norms of trust
(in business, government, inter-personal relations) that prevent
invasive/intrusive usage of AmI technologies.