CAS Introduces Embedded Ethics Certificate to Help Students Navigate Ethical Frontiers of Technology

In response to the growing ethical complexities accompanying the rapid advancement of technology, the Department of Philosophy at the University of San Diego is now offering an innovative 13-unit certificate program in Embedded Ethics. The certificate aims to equip students with the tools needed to navigate and address ethical dilemmas inherent in emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, robotics and big data algorithms, which are reshaping our world.

According to Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Program Director Daniel Tigard, PhD, this certificate comes at the perfect time. "In order to ensure that the effects of today’s technology are positive and harmful consequences are mitigated as much as possible, it seems clear we need new modes of technology development. Embedded ethics is precisely this sort of novel development practice."

The Embedded Ethics certificate offers students an opportunity to engage deeply with the ethical dimensions of these technologies throughout their developmental phases. This interdisciplinary program integrates ethical inquiry seamlessly into technological development processes, ensuring that students understand the moral, social, and political impacts of innovation. The program's Embedded Ethics capstone project allows students to tailor their experience to personal interests and career aspirations, whether through scholarly research or practical applications.

Through coursework and the culminating capstone project, students will gain a competitive edge in understanding and addressing the implications of technology. In a landscape where leading tech companies and governments are increasingly emphasizing responsible AI and societal values, this certificate equips students with the skills needed to navigate and shape the ethical landscape of technology.

The Embedded Ethics certificate stands as a testament to the university’s dedication to addressing the pressing ethical challenges of our time.

Learn more about the Embedded Ethics certificate.