The Code affirms an obligation of computing professionals to use their skills for the benefit of society.

Ethical and social computing are embodied in the ACM Code of Ethics. The core values expressed in the ACM Code inspire and guide computing professionals. The actions of computing professionals change the world, and the Code is the conscience of the field. Serving as the Hippocratic Oath for the IT Professional, the Software Engineer, the Programmer and all those responsible for shaping and contributing to the future of computing. The Code covers ethics across the computing field, representing the tech code of ethics, computing ethics, software ethics, programming ethics, AI ethics and computing for public good.