Emerging Technology

Framing ethical perspectives

Emerging Technologies are technologies whose development and/or practical applications are still largely unrealized. Carnegie Council’s events, experts, and initiatives focus on the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies and aim to map the field, illuminate topics requiring further research, and build a diverse community of experts, with the goal of ensuring that these systems are developed and deployed in a just, responsible, and inclusive manner.

Featured Emerging Technology Resources

Artificial intelligence, climate-altering technologies, and more

APR 9, 2024 Video

Algorithms of War: The Use of AI in Armed Conflict

From Gaza to Ukraine, the military applications of AI are fundamentally reshaping the ethics of war. How should policymakers navigate AI’s inherent trade-offs?

MAR 27, 2024 Article

The Specter of EMP Weapons in Space

Visiting Fellow Zhanna Malekos Smith details the danger of electromagnetic pulse weapons. How can nations protect themselves from this catastrophic threat?

Explore Our Emerging Technology Resources

CREDIT: Julie Larsen Maher &copy; <a href="http://www.wcs.org/">WCS</a>.

MAY 17, 2013 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Using SMART Technology to Stop Wildlife Poachers

Several major wildlife organizations collaborated on a free, open-source Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool to help park rangers improve their anti-poaching patrols.

To Save Everything, Click Here: The Folly of Technological Solutionism

APR 16, 2013 Podcast

To Save Everything, Click Here: The Folly of Technological Solutionism

Very soon, "smart" technologies and "big data" will allow us to make sophisticated interventions in everyday life. Technology will create incentives to get more people ...

Anti-Morsy Graffiti.CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/drumzo/8264591190/">Jonathan Rashad</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en"">CC</a>)

APR 9, 2013 Article

Why Dictators Don't Like Jokes

Pro-democracy activists around the world are discovering that humor is one of the most powerful weapons in the fight against authoritarianism.

MAR 21, 2013 Podcast

The Measure of Civilization: How Social Development Decides the Fate of Nations

Ian Morris demonstrates that social development can be measured across thousands of years. Based on past trends, what can we expect in the future? For ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/internewseurope/7887054738/">Internews Europe</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

MAR 21, 2013 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: Innovation to the Rescue: New Ideas and Tech for Helping Refugees

The UN refugee agency is adopting an innovation-centered approach in pursuit of better services, products, and outcomes for displaced populations.

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/deadair/5841473244/">Ricardo Wang</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>)

MAR 8, 2013 Podcast

Ethics Matter: A Conversation on Bioethics with NASA's Paul Root Wolpe

In this eye-opening conversation, renowned bioethicist Dr. Wolpe grapples with the ethical issues raised by advances in biotechnology and neuroscience, including "brain fingerprinting" and eventual ...

FEB 19, 2013 Podcast

Public Affairs: China's Search for Security

In this masterly and comprehensive talk, Andrew Nathan looks at the world from Beijing's viewpoint and sees a very challenging environment for China. He identifies ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cifor/5701875645/">Ryan Woo / CIFOR</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

FEB 13, 2013 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Exporting Expertise: Lessons from Brazil's Forest Success

It took a broad group of actors to reduce Brazilian deforestation by 75 percent in seven years. Now, their success can be emulated in other tropical ...

JAN 18, 2013 Podcast

Ethics Matter: Top Risks and Ethical Decisions 2013 with Ian Bremmer

"There are three big things happening right now in the world: China rising, Middle East exploding, Europe muddling through. Those are the things that truly ...

Srdja Popovic

DEC 11, 2012 Podcast

Ethics Matter: Srdja Popovic on Creating Successful Nonviolent Movements

Successful nonviolent movements need three things: the cool factor, memorable branding, and humor, says Popovic. He cofounded the Serbian youth movement Otpor!, which played a ...