A selection of articles, op-eds, TV segments, and other media featuring Ethics Center staff and programs.
The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics does not advocate for any product, company, or organization. Our engagements are intended to provide training, customized materials, and other resources. The Markkula Center does not offer certifications or seals of approval.
Is a male-dominated AI ecosystem widening the gender gap? Is AI bias shaping real-world outcomes?
Ann Skeet, senior director of leadership ethics notes that studies are emerging showing a widening gender gap in AI adoption, which could have long-term implications for workforce advancement.
Ann Skeet, senior director, leadership ethics featured in article from TechRound.
San Francisco Chronicle reports on a nonprofit that was awarded a six-figure contract from the city of Berkeley to run a marijuana education program between 2022 and 2024, and failed to complete key parts of the project. Despite the program failures, the nonprofit still got paid for the services.
Davina Hurt, director, government ethics, said that "the buck stops with the city."
"It breaks the public's trust that their money isn't being well spent," she said. "It's upon the city to ensure that they handle things appropriately by either stopping payments, retrieving their money back, or demanding that the contract be fulfilled."
Davina Hurt, director, government ethics, quoted in an article by San Francisco Chronicle and republished via Yahoo.com, the New York Post, and other outlets.
The Seattle Times reports a King County employee who ran a youth education and anti-racism program awarded more than $800,000 in grant payments to family members questioning a lack of ethics oversight in the County's processes.
"The “gold standard” is a unified, independent ethics body, said Davina Hurt, director, government ethics. Short of that, ethics officials need to collaborate. That appears to be missing from King County’s fragmented oversight system."
Davina Hurt, director, government ethics, quoted by The Seattle Times.
Santa Clara University and Markkula Center for Applied Ethics Recognized for Their Work on AI.
The Markkula Center is highlighted in the following article from Town & Country magazine.
"The university’s Markkula Center for Applied Ethics has long been a leader in the field and plays a central role in shaping conversations around AI, conducting research on ethical implementation, developing frameworks for responsible use, and hosting events that bring together experts and industry leaders."
Some Christians who attended Anthropic’s summit initially wondered if it was intended to develop political allies among religious leaders, Green said. In addition to clashing with the Pentagon over military use of AI, Anthropic has been accused by tech allies of President Donald Trump of lobbying for regulations that would overly restrict AI and harm smaller start-ups.
“I found the folks at Anthropic to be very sincere and interested in learning from us,” said Green, the Catholic academic. “Do they have blind spots? Yes. That’s exactly why they want us there.”
Brian Green, director, technology ethics, quoted by The Washington Post.
Alphabet’s Google announced it will direct Gemini chatbot users to a support hotline if the conversation indicates a “potential crisis related to suicide or self-harm.”
Guadalupe Hayes-Mota, director of the bioethics program at Santa Clara University, wants to see proof that AI chatbot developers are using clinically validated guidelines for interactions where mental health care is an issue. “Who’s actually making the decision when the crisis pops up for the individual, and how is that being done?” he asked.
Guadalupe Hayes-Mota, director, bioethics, quoted by KQED.
Dauphin County taxpayers pay their solicitors nearly eight times what comparable size counties spend on row office solicitors. The county has six solicitor positions for five of its elected row offices, and is unusual in that each of the solicitors to get full benefits and a pension.
Davina Hurt, director, government ethics, said while the decision to give solicitors pension is a policy decision, the fact the solicitors are still practicing does give pause.
“I would be curious to learn how they’re separating their personal law firm with that of their county law business because they have to be extremely careful and thoughtful that they are purely serving the public’s interest and not their own,” Hurt said.
Davina Hurt, director, government ethics, quoted by Penn Live.
Senate Bill 1141 has been introduced to curb university executives from also profiting from financial ties they or their families have with businesses who work directly with the university system.
If the bill passes, California would be the first state to prevent such alliances.
"Even the appearance of a conflict of interest undermines the public trust," says Ann Skeet, senior director of leadership ethics. "The UC system is a public organization, and people need to have confidence that it is serving the interests of the people and the students who go there."
Ann Skeet, senior director, leadership ethics, quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle.
