The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics offers articles, case studies, and other materials on ethics and technology, including biotechnology and biodesign, artificial intelligence, information technology, and the internet.
Technology Ethics Articles
From unanticipated consequences to transhumanism, the Center offers a wealth of information on ethics and technology. Technologists, students, and the general public can find resources on the many challenging issues in the field.
Technology Ethics Cases
A project engineer believes his company is providing the wrong form of technology to an in-need community in East Africa. A computer startup company risks violating copyright laws if it reuses a code that is the intellectual property of another company. These and other case studies explore ethical issues in technology.
Technology Ethics Videos
Conversations, panels, presentations, and events pertaining to the application of ethics in technology development and implementation.
Teaching Modules
Teaching resources are a major thrust of our efforts in technology and internet ethics, with a special focus on creating material for college students. Find modules on data ethics, software engineering ethics, and online privacy.
Institute for Technology, Ethics, and Culture (ITEC)
A collaboration between the Center and the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education. The Institute convenes leaders from business, civil society, academia, government, and all faith and belief traditions, to promote deeper thought on technology’s impact on humanity.
AI Ethics Literacy
A growing need, a growing list of issues, and a growing collection of resources from the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics.
Ethics in Technology Practice
This compendium of materials is designed specifically for practice-oriented ethics training programs within the tech industry. Amid growing interest in ethical decision-making within technology companies, and in the ethical impact on society of what technology companies develop and produce, these materials aim to help prepare engineers and other tech industry professionals to address the multifaceted ethical issues that arise in their work.
Digital Dignity Day
As artificial intelligence continues to impact multiple areas of our world, researchers, developers, activists, businesspeople, and regulators are increasingly focusing on its impact on human dignity. This daylong conference, sponsored by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, and NHNAI will bring together academics from a variety of disciplines, industry and government representatives, as well as students and the broader public, to explore the intersection of AI and human dignity.
Space Ethics
Throughout history, humans have explored new places making both good and bad ethical decisions along the way. As humanity proceeds to explore space, it is important that we learn from the successes and consider issues such as human health, environmental concerns, safety and risk, governance and decision-making, and opportunities and challenges of multidisciplinary and international contexts, and not repeat the mistakes of the past.
Immersive Technologies and Human Subjects Protections
Explore Dr. Julia Scott's research and case studies on the ethics considerations behind the use of immersive technologies as a research tool.
Ethics in the Age of AI
Ethics in the Age of AI outlines how Americans feel about artificial intelligence (AI) from an ethical standpoint. The study found they have concerns about the technology’s impact on the human race.
IT, Ethics, and Law Lectures Series
An ongoing series of panel discussions and lectures focused on the ethical, social, and legal implications of information technologies. Co-sponsored by the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics and the High Tech Law Institute, the program looks at cutting-edge technologies and the challenges they raise.
Ethics in the Metaverse
There are seven points in this suggested code. Ideally, a code should be both broad and brief. If a code cannot be articulated on, say, a single page, there is a risk users will never refer to it. With brevity though, comes the risk of superficiality. We try to walk the fine line between these two.
AI and the Environment
On November 1, 2024 the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics and Next 10 cosponsored a daylong conference at Santa Clara University. The event brought together academics from a variety of disciplines, industry and government representatives, as well as students and the broader public, to explore the intersection of AI and sustainability.
Engineering Ethics
Focusing on ethical issues confronting professionals, the Center offers materials to help engineers identify and respond to dilemmas they face. Offering case studies, curriculum, and commentary for engineering students, educators, and practitioners.
Internet Ethics
The Internet Ethics program explores topics like AI ethics, online privacy, cybersecurity, social media, data ethics, the digital divide, internet access, and more.