Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology and Law
What does it mean to be ethical in a world of AI?
The Carl G. Grefenstette Center leverages Duquesne University’s commitment to ethics in order to promote partnerships
with leading institutions and to become a transformational force for both Duquesne
and the global community. The Grefenstette Center is the first in the world to bring
Catholic, Spiritan values and ideals in an ecumenical framework to grapple with the growing challenges
presented by science and technology in society. Our vision is to enrich the conversations
and practical implementations of ethics in digital technology by incorporating religious
ethics into future discussion and development. The Grefenstette Center hosts an annual symposium each Fall, a student-focused hackathon (hacking4humanity) every Spring and regularly hosts scholars at the intersection of ethics, technology
and faith on campus.
Stay up to date on all Grefenstette Center happenings by signing up for our email
list!
There are many ways to connect with the Grefenstette Center throughout the year, whether
you're a student, faculty, or member of the public!
The Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law at Duquesne
University invites scholars and researchers in the United States to apply for the
Grefenstette National Research Scholars program for Academic Year 2025-2026. The National
Research Scholars program is a small community of scholars from all backgrounds and
traditions who come together monthly and discuss their research on the intersections
of technology, society, and faith, broadly construed.
We seek seven scholars from all research areas to contribute to the conversation around
the responsible use of digital technology and its intersection with religious and/or
theological studies. Scholars may come from the academy or from industry (including
tech and religious ministry), as long as the individual has a research interest and
a plan to develop their research. PhD or terminal degree in one’s field is preferred
but not required. Areas of study include but are not limited to critical AI/critical
technology studies, responsible AI studies, ethics, religious studies, sociology of
religion, intersectional approaches to technology and society, and theology.
The goal of the program is to cultivate a research cohort, to provide peer support,
and to generate new and innovative research paths in the intersection of technology
and religious studies, especially given the recent development of generative AI. All
Scholars will receive a stipend of $2000 for the year, participate in monthly discussions,
and be part of a year-end virtual public roundtable.
The Grefenstette Center is now accepting applications for the National Research Scholars
program for the 2025-2026 academic year! Apply today! The application deadline is Friday, May 30, 2025.
Interested in the ethics and responsible use of technology? Want to gain real-world
experience outside of a classroom setting? The Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law is proud to
offer an undergraduate scholarship program for four Duquesne University students each academic
year!
Undergraduate Student Fellows work closely with Center staff and affiliated faculty
to build their research interests, present a poster at the fall Tech Ethics Symposium,
participate in the spring hackathon, and engage in monthly conversations on tech ethics
throughout the year! No previous experience with tech or tech ethics necessary. Students
from ALL disciplines are welcome!
Join the Grefenstette Center for a tech ethics roundtable and interactive discussion
on April 30 at 3 p.m. -The Future of Humanities in a World of AI: Seven Perspectives. This event will be presented by our 2024-2025 national cohort of Faculty Scholars and moderated by Grefenstette Center Executive Director, John Slattery. The roundtable/discussion will
be hosted on Zoom, so you can participate from anywhere! Register today!Register for The Future of Humanities in a World of AI Roundtable
The Grefenstette Center for Ethics recently awarded First, Second, and Third Place
prizes, as well as Honorable Mention, to the winners of the first annualYoung Ethicist Essay Competition.Pittsburgh area high school students were invited to submit essays that addressed
the question, "How is Generative AI transforming our communities?" The top essays were well written
and engaging. They substantively addressed the guiding question, “How is Generative
AI transforming our communities?," and provided insight into the ethical concerns
that AI raises relative to their selected community.
Not only do Young Ethicist Essay Competitionwinners receive a cash awardfor their work, they are alsoinvited to join Grefenstette Center staff, Undergraduate Fellows, and Affiliated Faculty
on campus at Duquesne Universitythis spring, to engage in a seminar about the future of ethics and technology. Additionally,
they areinvited as special guests at theNational Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)in April, and allwinning essays will be published on the Grefenstette Center's website. Find the list of this year'swinnersand their timely topics immediately below.
Thank you to all of the students who submitted essays this year and also to their
supportive teachers! A very special thanksgoes to Avonworth High School Language Arts and Journalism teacher, Scott Tuffiash! Mr. Tuffiash challenged the students in his Senior English class on AI and Ethics
to dive into these timely tech ethics conversations and provided them with the research
and writing tools needed to carefully consider the question of how AI is impacting
our communities.
Each Fall, Duquesne University hosts a national conference on one aspect of technology
ethics, the Grefenstette Center's annual Tech Ethics Symposium. All undergraduate
and graduate students are invited to submit posters on any aspect of responsible AI
or technology ethics! The Symposium will cover the cost of printing for all accepted
posters, and the best posters in each category (undergraduate and graduate) will receive
cash prizes, as well as extra prizes for crowd favorites!
The Grefenstette Center takes an unflinching look at the ethical intersections of
science and technology by working with partners at Duquesne, in Pittsburgh, and across
the world.
Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law
