The Grefenstette Center for Ethics proudly supports faculty and student research and scholarship in the area of tech ethics. We encourage scholars to pursue any number of opportunities that we offer to learn more about the intersecting worlds of science, technology, and law and to engage more deeply in the ethical conversations happening at those intersections. 

Interested scholars can earn a Micro-credential in AI & Digital Ethics, develop research projects as a Research Scholar or Student Fellow, present original research at our annual Tech Ethics Symposium, and invent meaningful policy and tech solutions to address the harms caused by the proliferation of online hate. Read more about how to get involved in the work of the Grefenstette Center below.

 

Ways to Get Involved

The Grefenstette Center is proud to announce a new AI & Digital Ethics Micro-credential! This three-course micro-credential program is open to all undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education students. The micro-credential is comprised of two required courses - offered each semester by the Grefenstette Center - and a selection of electives that count for the third. This program can be completed fully asynchronously online, allowing people from all walks of life to gain a credential that can be applied in professional and educational contexts.

Read about the eligible courses below and apply for the AI & Digital Ethics Micro-credential.

Apply for the AI & Digital Ethics Micro-credential

Artificial Intelligence Ethics (GREF 210) What does it mean to think ethically about technology, and especially about AI? What is the relationship between humans and technology, and what should it be? This course, hosted by Duquesne’s Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law, will examine a wide variety of topics in artificial intelligence, including algorithmic bias, machine learning, and transhumanism. The course will empower students to thoroughly appraise the ethical concerns in science and technology through a Catholic lens. Offered Fall and Spring.

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (GREF 230) How is AI transforming healthcare? What will AI mean for doctors, nurses, hospitals, and the healthcare industry in general?  What implications will this have for ethics, policy, and management decisions? This course explores the impact of AI in healthcare by examining current and future transformations of healthcare through emerging AI technologies. Aimed at assisting students looking to enter the healthcare industry, the course will examine the employment of AI in making medical decisions, the ethical implications of current and future AI usage, the proper management of AI in healthcare organizations, the effects of AI in the delivery of healthcare services, and the future of AI adoption in the healthcare industry. Offered in Spring.

Technology, Society, and Power (GREF 250) How do we approach a world filled with technology? Every power structure in society relies upon technological innovation, a fact made even more true since the advent of generative artificial intelligence like ChatGPT. But what is the true role of technology, and what is the social value of artificial intelligence? How has tech transformed our lives, and how will it change society in the future? This course, hosted by Duquesne’s Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law, will examine the broad scope of ethical and moral impacts of technology in the modern world. This will include historical intersections of technology and social construction, as well as modern discussions of AI and its impact on climate, warfare, government, corporation, and wealth. This is a fully-online, asynchronous course, and is meant to partner with GREF 210 (AI Ethics), and counts towards the “AI & Digital Ethics” Microcredential. This course fulfills the Social and Historical Reasoning Bridges Competency. 

Online hate is on the rise, leading to real-world devastating effects on individuals and communities around the world. Hacking4Humanity is a tech and policy hackathon that offers students a new way to engage with real-world social problems that can be improved with novel technical and policy solutions. Any undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at a college or university in the Pittsburgh region can participate! Students compete in teams of 1-4 people in either the Policy track or the Tech track, with multiple cash prizes available in both tracks! Prizes will be announced closer to the event.

Hacking4Humanity 2025 took place January 24- Feb 7, 2025, beginning with a Zoom Kickoff on Friday, January 24. Final Policy and Tech presentations were held at Duquesne University on Friday, February 7.

This year's finalists traveled to the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg in March to present their work to First Lady Lori Shapiro and other high ranking officials in the Shapiro administration!

View the winners of Hacking4Humanity 2025 and watch the livestream recordings

Details of Hacking4Humanity 2026 coming soon!

On November 6 and 7, 2025, Duquesne University will host Staying Human in the Age of AI, the sixth annual Grefenstette Center for Ethics Tech Ethics Symposium. The Symposium is a national conference that examines how generative AI is transforming the way we see ourselves, and others, as humans: in relationships, in communities, across borders, and in the classroom. This event will feature national speakers, student and faculty discussions, community conversations, and a wide variety of research and teaching best practices on display. 

All undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit posters to present at the Symposium on any aspect of technology ethics! All accepted posters will receive a $75 award to offset printing costs. On top of this award, accepted posters will compete for the following prizes:

Undergraduate Students:

Outstanding Researcher Award ($400) for the poster that exemplifies the best of undergraduate research and its applications for technology ethics

Ethical PA Award ($400) for the poster that best addresses ethical technology questions and concerns of people around Pittsburgh or throughout Pennsylvania

Pope Francis Award ($400) for the poster that best exemplifies the Catholic ethic of service, encounter, and love, as encompassed in Pope Francis’ approach to technology  

Graduate Students: Grand Prize ($400); Runner-Up ($200) 

Additionally, all posters will be eligible for $100 "Audience Choice" awards, for which Symposium attendees will cast their vote during the event. 

Rules & Eligibility:

  • Complete this form and submit the poster by 11:59pm on Friday, October 17!
  • Submissions may come from individuals or teams. Only one poster per team. 
  • Poster size must be 36" x 44" 
  • Posters may come from any academic discipline. 
  • Any current undergraduate or graduate student, from any university, is eligible to submit a poster. 
  • If accepted, at least one author must be physically present to present the poster. 
  • Generative AI may NOT be used to create the poster. All posters will be scanned, and AI-generated posters will be disqualified.
  • See a full list of guidelines and recommendations here.

Submit Your Poster Here

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!

Applications for the 2025-2026 Undergraduate Student Fellowship are closed. Details of the 2026-2027 program will be posted in Spring 2026.

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.

Applications for the 2025-2026 National Research Scholars are closed. Details of the 2026-2027 program will be posted in Spring 2026.