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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JAN 6, 2022 Article

One Year After the January 6 Insurrection, Democracy Needs a Rallying Cry

On the first anniversary of the January 6 insurrection, groups across society are increasingly worried about the state of democracy. But as the pressure on democracy ...

JAN 5, 2022 Podcast

"That Wasn't My Intent": Re-envisioning Ethics in the Information Age, with Shannon Vallor

In this episode of the "Artificial Intelligence & Equality" podcast, Senior Fellow Wendell Wallach sits down with Professor Shannon Vallor to discuss how to reenvision ethics ...

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DEC 15, 2021 Podcast

Is Militarization Essential for Security in 2022 and Beyond?

In the last 20 years, the U.S. and its allies significantly expanded their military and security infrastructures. But as America pivots from the War on ...

DEC 9, 2021 Podcast

Ethics, Governance, and Emerging Technologies: A Conversation with the Carnegie Climate Governance Initiative (C2G) and Artificial Intelligence & Equality Initiative (AIEI)

Emerging technologies with global impact are creating new ungoverned spaces at a rapid pace. The leaders of Carnegie Council's C2G and AIEI initiatives discuss ...

DEC 7, 2021 Podcast

The Ethics of Global Vaccine Distribution, Part Four, with Ezekiel J. Emanuel

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, new questions have arisen in regards to the ethics of global vaccine distribution. In a continuation of a series started ...

NOV 10, 2021 Article

Why Are We Failing at the Ethics of AI?

As you read this, AI systems and algorithmic technologies are being embedded and scaled far more quickly than existing governance frameworks (i.e., the rules ...

NOV 3, 2021 Podcast

Time for an Honest Scientific Discourse on AI & Deep Learning, with Gary Marcus

In this episode of the "Artificial Intelligence & Equality Initiative" podcast, Senior Fellow Anja Kaspersen speaks with Gary Marcus to discuss the need for an open ...

NOV 2, 2021 Video

Carnegie New Leaders Podcast: International Relations in the Context of Plato, with Ilya Kursenko

Samantha Jordan, president of Carnegie New Leaders, speaks with Ilya Kursenko, a member of the Carnegie New Leaders and a Master's student at Saint Petersburg ...

OCT 21, 2021 Podcast

Global Ethics Day Special Event: On the Frontlines of Democracy

Whether it's rigging elections in Hong Kong, arresting activists in Venezuela, restricting voting access in the U.S., silencing the opposition in Belarus, or censorship ...

OCT 19, 2021 Article

Let's Use Today to Empower Ethics and Build a Better Future

"It's clear that humanity faces a number of global-scale challenges," writes Joel Rosenthal in his Global Ethics Day message. "Although this moment may feel overwhelming, ...