The Center for Digital Civil Society (CDCS) is at the forefront of cultivating digital citizenship. We believe in empowering individuals to understand, navigate and influence the digital landscape. Our initiatives focus on digital literacy, ethical data practices and advocating for responsible use of data and AI systems. We aim to create a community of informed digital citizens who are equipped to contribute positively to the digital world.
The Power and Promise of Data
Never before has the power and promise of data been so palpable. The intrigue of the potential for data science and artificial intelligence to shape the future is difficult to understate. Yet we’re building on an unstable foundation. Relatively few people have access to the skills and resources to contribute and even the data itself remains in the hands of the few at the cost of many. Unless more people are empowered to participate in and advocate for decision-making regarding their data and technologists create systems that meaningfully engage them, we risk a future where structural inequities not only persist but deepen, failing to realize the full promise of these advancements.
Forging a new Social Contract
Led by the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, USD's Center for Digital Civil Society (CDCS) engages the entire campus community — empowering students, data scientists and digital citizens to work together to address humanity’s greatest challenges with data. Our mission is to forge a new social contract between academia, industry, and the public, one positioned to realize the power and promise of data. By educating, convening, and enabling stakeholders, we can establish a new type of relationship with data, one that epitomizes legibility, accountability, and resilience.
Campus, Industry and Community Involvement
Far-reaching impact
Our approach to realizing the power and promise of data positions academia, the public and industry to engage in ongoing, iterative conversation and collaboration. Each stakeholder offers a unique perspective and, importantly, has varying incentives. We bring them together in unique ways through developing new curriculum and student projects; offering workshops and resources; and hosting an innovative data science renovation program for industry professionals. Through these initiatives, we will balance and calibrate the next generation of data systems, facilitating conversations that have been traditionally hindered by silos or missing altogether.
Meet our Center's Director
Monthly Newsletters
The Center for Digital Civil Society Newsletter is a monthly publication to highlight the Center’s impact on campus and in the community. Each issue features updates on current and upcoming events, insights into AI ethics topics in the news, and spotlights the achievements of our students, faculty, and partners. The newsletter serves as a platform to explore the intersection of technology, ethics, and society, showcasing the innovative work that makes the Center for Digital Civil Society a vital part of USD.
Events and Forums
Join us at our various events, where we convene thought data science and AI leaders, practitioners and enthusiasts in the area of digital civil society. These gatherings are opportunities to share insights, spark collaborations and stay at the forefront of digital advancements.
Get involved with CDCS
Collaborations and Partnerships
To enhance credibility and outreach, the center supports partnerships with other departments, programs and industry bodies. Graduate and undergraduate students can get involved by conducting seminars and student-led initiatives. Please contact the co-directors for more information.