Tech Ethics

In today’s economy, technology companies wield unprecedented influence over how people communicate, consume information, work, and live. At the same time, many of the world’s most prominent tech firms face growing scrutiny over allegations that their products contribute to misinformation, political polarization, declining mental health, privacy violations, labor exploitation, and addictive user behavior, even as these companies generate extraordinary profits and possess significant market power. This course, Tech Ethics, examines the ethical responsibilities of technology leaders and organizations in balancing innovation, profitability, and social impact. We will cover current prominent issues, including user privacy, misinformation, wearables, child safety and AI, examining examples from case studies and current evolving events, providing students with frameworks for how to address the complex tradeoffs at the intersection of business and society.