Applied Ethics

Framing ethical perspectives

Applied ethics refers to the practical applications of the moral principles that govern behavior. Carnegie Council focuses on this field, mostly through the realm of international affairs, by identifying and addressing the most critical ethical issues of today and tomorrow. Our initiatives, content, and experts analyze the way that governments, institutions, and individuals interact and make choices on global issues, such as climate change, emerging technology, and governance.

Featured Applied Ethics Resources

Practical conversations, decision analysis, and more

JUL 5, 2023 Article

A Framework for the International Governance of AI

Carnegie Council, in collaboration with IEEE, proposes a five-part AI governance framework to enable the constructive use of AI.

APR 12, 2022 Podcast

Surveillance Tech's Infinite Loop of Harms, with Chris Gilliard

In this discussion with Senior Fellow Arthur Holland Michel, Chris Gilliard explains why the arc of surveillance technology and novel AI bends toward failures that ...

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NOV 13, 2024 Article

An Ethical Grey Zone: AI Agents in Political Deliberations

As adoption of agentic AI increases, it is critical for researchers and policymakers to agree on ethical principles to inform governance of this emerging technology.

CREDIT: Abobe/hamara.

SEP 25, 2024 Article

Politico Op-Ed: Walking a Fraying Nuclear Tightrope

In a new op-ed, Carnegie Council President Joel Rosenthal argues that a recommitment to nuclear arms control is nothing short of a moral imperative.

Left to Right: Eddie Mandhry, Abiodun Williams, Joel Rosenthal. CREDIT: Juhi Desai.

JUL 23, 2024 Video

Global Leadership in a Turbulent Time: A Conversation with Professor Abiodun Williams

In this roundtable discussion, Tufts University's Professor Abiodun Williams speaks about the essential leadership traits needed to drive institutional change.

MAY 30, 2024 Article

A Reflection on Climate Mobility: Has Causality Lost Resonance?

With the recent European Court of Human Rights' ruling against Switzerland in mind, Dr. Mehreen Afzal discusses a legal pathway forward for climate-induced cross-border migration.

APR 30, 2024 Podcast

Is AI Just an Artifact? with Joanna Bryson

In this episode, host Anja Kaspersen is joined by Hertie School's Joanna Bryson to discuss the intersection of computational, cognitive, and behavioral sciences, and AI.

FEB 27, 2024 Video

A Carnegie Council Conversation with the UK Home Secretary

In this speech, the UK Home Secretary outlined the range of opportunities and challenges faced by countries as a consequence of migration.

FEB 15, 2024 Video

Charles W. Kegley, Jr. Lecture Series: A Place for Ethics in World Politics

In the inaugural Charles W. Kegley, Jr. Lecture, Stephen Hibbard, former chair of Carnegie Council, discusses "A Place for Ethics in World Politics."

JAN 25, 2024 Article

A Conversation with Carnegie Ethics Fellow Hinh Tran

This interview series profiles members of the inaugural Carnegie Ethics Fellows cohort. This discussion features Hinh Tran, senior counsel at tech company Ramp.

Left to Right: Abiodun Williams, Erez Yoeli, Joel Rosenthal. October 18, 2023.

OCT 18, 2023 Video

Unlocking Cooperation: A Global Ethics Day Special Event

In this keynote event for Global Ethics Day 2023, Carnegie Council President Joel Rosenthal led a conversation on the psychology behind cooperation; ways that states, institutions, ...

JUN 27, 2023 Article

A Conversation with Carnegie Ethics Fellow Ebuka Okoli

This new interview series profiles members of the inaugural Carnegie Ethics Fellows cohort. This discussion features Ebuka Okoli, a graduate student at Illinois State University.