Ethics4EU

Digital ethics explores the impact of digital Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on society and the environment. This field addressed various issues, including privacy, digital literacy, big data governance, and accountability. It also examined the influence of large network platforms, pervasive technology, the Internet of Things, surveillance applications, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and algorithmic decision-making. The focus was on the fairness, accountability, and transparency of automated decisions, as well as the automation of human intelligence in robotics and autonomous vehicles.

The project not only considered hardware and software but also studied the interaction between systems, people, organizations, and technology. Some issues, like surveillance technology's impact, have been long studied, while others, such as automated profiling and social media interference, have received recent media attention.

This research was particularly relevant in the Irish context due to the EU Data Protection Office's presence in Dublin, contributing to a shared European understanding of ethical technology.

The project achieved the following objectives:

- Identified gaps in computer science lecturers’ knowledge of ethics

- Developed a common understanding of pan-European values in technology ethics

- Created a repository of open and accessible online curricula, teaching, and assessment resources for computer science ethics

- Produced practical guidelines and instructor guides for teaching computer science ethics

- Developed a sustainable European Community of Practice in computer science ethics

- Established an online training program through the HubLinked Global Labs model for computer science lecturers in ethics