The Grefenstette Center for Ethics proudly supports undergraduate and graduate student research and scholarship in the area of tech ethics. We encourage students 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 students can earn a microcredential in AI & Digital Ethics, present their research at our annual Tech Ethics Symposium, invent meaningful policy and tech solutions to address the harms caused by the proliferation of online hate, and create and develop a year-long research project as an Undergraduate Student Fellow. Read more about our Student Opportunities below.

Ways to Get Involved

The Grefenstette Center is proud to announce a new AI & Digital Ethics MicrocredentialThis three-course microcredential program is open to all undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education students. The microcredential 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 and Digital Ethics Microcredential.

APPLY FOR THE AI & DIGITAL ETHICS MICROCREDENTIAL

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.

The hackathon takes place January 24- Feb 7, 2025 with a Zoom Kickoff on Friday, January 24. Final Policy and Tech presentations will be held at Duquesne University on Friday, February 7.

Winners will travel to the Governor's mansion in Harrisburg to present their work in front of high ranking officials in the Shapiro administration ... and maybe even meet the governor himself! 

View the full details of Hacking4Humanity 2025

Registration is OPEN for Hacking4Humanity 2025!

REGISTER FOR HACKING4HUMANITY 2025 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! 

Scholarship recipients work closely with center staff to build their research interests, present a poster, enter the 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 2024-2025 academic year are closed. Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will open in Spring 2025.

Each Fall, Duquesne University hosts a national conference on one aspect of technology ethics. 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!  

Submissions for the 2024 Tech Ethics Symposium Student Poster Competition are closed, but registration for the Symposium is OPEN. Attend the Symposium in person on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 or livestream it from anywhere in the world! Registration is FREE and open to the public.

View the detailed Symposium program and register below.

REGISTER FOR THE 2024 TECH ETHICS SYMPOSIUM NOW!

Student Poster submissions for the 2025 Tech Ethics Symposium will open in Fall 2025.

See previous winners!