Design with Intent: Shannon Marsh on Values, Ethics, and Smart Home Responsibility
What does it mean to integrate technology into someone’s life and do it ethically?
On the latest episode of the Master Integrator Podcast, Shannon Marsh from eQ Technologies joins host Paul Skelton for a thought-provoking discussion about ethics, value tensions, and the growing need for integrators to design with more than just function in mind.
Shannon, a former IT business analyst who now works alongside her husband as a home technology integrator, brings a unique perspective. Her academic background in digital transformation led her to specialise in a concept known as value sensitive design, a framework that centres human values in the design and deployment of technology.
“Ethical technology design seeks to balance innovation with functionality while protecting human values,” she explains. “It’s about ensuring that what we’re building benefits humanity, and that we actively avoid harm.”
Throughout the episode, Shannon unpacks the hidden assumptions in everyday technology. From biometric data collection to cloud-connected cameras, many integrators are deploying systems without fully understanding their ethical implications or the legal grey areas they may be stepping into.
Take terms and conditions, for example. As Shannon points out, many integrators accept them on behalf of clients without considering what rights they’re handing over. “Even though we’re not the producers of the technology, we’re the ones putting it into someone’s home. That makes us gatekeepers,” she says.
Informed consent, she argues, must go beyond ticking a box. It means clearly communicating what data is collected, how it is stored, and who has access to it. “If the person using the system isn’t capable of understanding the implications, say someone with a disability, then you need to ask, who’s making the decision? And are they properly informed?”
Shannon does not advocate for fear or over-regulation. What she is calling for is awareness. “Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. Once you hear it, you can’t unhear it,” she says. “Building an ethical mindset is just about being curious. Asking better questions of ourselves, our suppliers, and the systems we deploy.”
With AI, biometric authentication and data sovereignty all becoming part of everyday integration work, Shannon believes it is time for the industry to step up. “We don’t have to wait for legislation to force our hand. We can lead with values now. Because the systems we design are never neutral. They have consequences.”
To learn more about ethical design in smart homes and how integrators can respond, listen to the full episode here.