Organizations

Announced in October of 2018, the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing is a new college within the MIT community that seeks to take MIT students’ increasing passion for computer science and apply it across all disciplines, including ethics, health, finance, transportation, and more. Most notably, the Schwarzman College of Computing has launched two initiatives — Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) and MIT Quest for Intelligence (MIT QI). Through teaching, research, and broader engagements, SERC seeks to facilitate the development of ethical and moral considerations when designing and deploying technology. They are currently figuring out ways in which ethics can be embedded into the curricula of MIT, and is inviting students to be a part of this process. MIT QI is a cohort of brilliant minds seeking to better understand human intelligence through the lens of technology, as well as how best to use this understanding to design machines that will benefit society. MIT QI is involved in numerous cutting-edge research projects that are open to MIT students, as well as producing profound discoveries in the field of artificial intelligence and ethics. Learn more about the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing here.

The recognition of the necessity to discuss the ethics and governance of artificial intelligence does not stop at MIT. Our next-door neighbor created the Berkman Klein Center (BKC) in order to truly understand the fundamentals of cyberspace, and whether this domain needs to be more strictly regulated. BKC delves into topics including Ethics and Governance of AI, Governance of Technology and the Internet, Technology and the Law, and Justice, Equity, and Inclusion. BKC accomplishes its mission of better understanding these topics through cutting-edge research, education opportunities, various publications, workshops and conferences, podcasts, and hosting interns, just to name a few ways. BKC is at the forefront of technology ethics and policy, and offers many ways to get involved. Learn more about BKC here.

The Center for Humane Technology (CHT) is an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization that was founded in 2018 by various leading figures in the technology industry, including Tristan Harris, an ex Google Design Ethicist who left to become a leading voice in humane technology. CHT aims to shift technology to enhance human existence and well-being rather than detract from it. They do so through educating the public via mainstream media campaigns (e.g. Your Undivided Attention podcast, The Social Dilemma documentary), working with tech companies to drive a change in culture and practices, as well as briefing policy makers in order to drive public policy that will improve the ethical practices of the technology industry (particularly, internet and social media corporations). CHT offers many resources for those looking to get involved, from the media discussed above, to various educational online courses, including Fundamentals of Humane Technology. Learn more about CHT here.