Technology Ethics Minor

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Artificial Intelligence (such as AI Chat bots like Chat GPT), self-driving cars, social media, and other current and emerging technological developments have raised the potential to significantly alter our quality and way of life. Such technologies often hold tremendous potential for addressing pressing social problems, yet involve risks, uncertainties, unforeseen consequences, or have negative impacts for some social groups. Disruptive technological development requires conscientious engineers, sophisticated business leaders, and policymakers, who are capable of critically analyzing and taking responsibility for the social and ecological impacts of these endeavors. The Tech Ethics minor introduces students to ethical concerns pertinent to recently emerged technologies, and of the ethical development and implementation of new technologies, and it will give students the needed analytical resources and skills for navigating related ethical quandaries and policies. The Minor helps students deepen their understanding of scientific and corporate practices, and regulatory policies, that can guide the ethical development, testing, and implementation of emerging technologies toward socially and environmentally responsible ends.

Courses not listed as approved for electives can be submitted for consideration.

For more information about the Tech Ethic Minor, please contact minor advisors Prof. Bryn Seabrook web5g@virginia.edu or Prof. William Davis hcn5ue@virginia.edu