Responsible Computing, Ethics and Policy
Responsible computing is more than a field of study—it is a commitment to challenging the status quo and shaping technology for the public good.
We collaborate across computer science, social sciences, humanities, design, and policy to confront the complex challenges of today’s computing systems. Our shared goal: technology that is ethical, inclusive, and accountable to all.
Responsible computing examines a system’s societal impact, proactively addresses potential harms, and designs for accessibility and equity. Ideally, these considerations are embedded from the start, but systems must also be scrutinized and improved after deployment. A key framework for evaluating AI and ML systems, for example, is Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics (FATE).
In practice, this means ensuring job platforms presenting opportunities equitably, holding developers and organizations responsible for their technology’s outcomes, providing clear explanations of a system’s decision making (e.g., why someone may not have received a loan or mortgage), and following societal norms and values, like not using surveillance in ways that infringe on privacy. These are not optional ideals—they are necessary steps toward building technology that serves everyone, not just the privileged few.
Students who want to learn more about responsible and ethical computing might be interested in the following :
