About Us

Mission

The Notre Dame-IBM Technology Ethics Lab produces critical research and thought leadership on ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence and other technologies by engaging with a broad set of stakeholders to examine real-world challenges and opportunities.

Our mission is to drive ethical and human-centered design, development, deployment, and use of technology.

We advance applied, interdisciplinary research projects that stimulate essential dialogue, foster collaborative communities, and influence policies and practices for responsible innovation and governance.

History

The plans for the Notre Dame-IBM Technology Ethics Lab were formed when it became clear that emerging technologies were beginning to face critical and complex ethical challenges. These technologies are making game-changing innovations at speeds never imagined, but they risk quickly losing the trust of the very society they intend to improve. Industry must prove to the world that we can be responsible with these incredible innovations.

By combining IBM’s deep technical expertise with Notre Dame’s strength in philosophy and ethics, we hoped to raise awareness and help other organizations address ethical issues. In 2020, IBM made a 10-year, $20 million commitment to the Tech Ethics Lab to create a holistic approach to tech ethics and practical, research-based models for the ethical development and deployment of these technologies.

Through IBM’s partnership with Notre Dame, we bring together leading academic, business, community, and government leaders to ask the tough questions and to champion responsible technology that is human-centric. IBM is proud to team with Notre Dame to bridge the concept of putting principles into practice with concrete approaches and models that organizations can leverage across the globe.