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Societal Readiness Web Tool

This article introduces the TechEthos Societal Readiness Web Tool, a prototype for a tool to help actors in product design innovation develop product social readiness, and to facilitate qualitative societal readiness self-assessment.

Have a closer look at Societal Readiness Web Tool

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TechEthos Societal Readiness Tool is of particular interest to individuals in product design innovation, professional associations in product design fields, and academic researchers with an interest in product design ethics or product readiness from ethical, legal and social perspectives. 

The tool has two functions. First it offers a guidance function: a set of high-level and mid-level guidelines, the fulfilment of which will facilitate the achievement of societal readiness across a range of innovation fields. Users are then able to develop their operational understanding of the guidelines via exploration of potential violations, and the mitigating actions needed to respond to those violations through design, deployment and use-context interventions. 

Second, it offers an assessment function. On the basis of their engagement with the guidance function, users are guided through a simple self-assessment procedure, which outputs a readiness level indicator in the form of three levels of action that may still be required to achieve readiness. 

The tool is designed to be reiterative and reflexive, with users encouraged use the tool continuously throughout a project lifecycle, and to add new content to the tool on the basis of their ongoing usage of it. 

As the tool is generic, for use in any product innovation field, it constitutes a prototype to be adapted to a range of specific fields. Thus, we are especially interested in feedback from interested parties who may wish to develop the tool for use in specific product innovation fields. 

How to open the Web Tool?

Access the Web Tool here. 

After accessing the tool, users will be invited to select whether they wish to begin a new project, or return to progress already saved by means of a project code. First time users should select “New Project”.

The user will then be asked to enter the name of their project. This is a name chosen by the user. Below, users will find a project code. This code can be used to return to your progress using the tool in future sessions. Select “Next” will enter the tool.

The user will first be presented with a text box introducing the tool. This box can be closed by clicking outside it.

Instructions for using the tool can be accessed by clicking “How to Use” in the top right corner of the screen.

In the very top right corner of the screen, you will find your unique 10-digit project code. This is the same as the code displayed on the entry screen. Make a note of this code. Your progress using the tool will be automatically saved.

To return to saved progress, on navigating back to the tool page via the link below, select “Resume Existing”, and enter the code noted.

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Y/our Ethics Decide: an interactive Digital Installation on the ethical dimensions of Climate Engineering and Natural Language Processing

In an era dominated by unprecedented technological advancements, the ethical implications of innovation must have a central role. Y/our Ethics Decide, a revolutionary digital installation, invites you to explore the complex interplay of ethics, technology, and societal values. Embark on this immersive experience, where “Ethics by design” shapes the narrative right from the inception of emerging technologies.

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Y/our Ethics Decide: A Visionary Approach to Tech Ethics

Y/our Ethics Decide is not only a digital installation – but a journey into the future of responsible technology. Based on the principle of Ethics by design, Y/our Ethics ensures that societal values lead the way in the development of new technologies. This unique approach empowers individuals from diverse backgrounds to actively participate in shaping the ethical landscape of emerging realms.

Climate Engineering: Addressing the Urgency of Our Time

Y/our Ethics Decide navigates the realm of Climate Engineering. Technologies like Nature-based Carbon Dioxide Removal and Engineered Carbon Dioxide Removal take center stage, aiming to mitigate the effects of climate change. Solar Radiation Management, a pivotal aspect of Climate Engineering, explores innovative methods to reflect sunlight and cool the planet.

Natural Language Processing: Decoding the Heart of Digital Interaction

Our digital installation delves into the heart of Digital Extended Reality. Here, artificial intelligence comprehends and responds to human communication, offering insights into the evolving landscape of interactive technologies. Affective computing and chatbots further enhance these capabilities, underscoring the critical need for responsible development in this fast-paced and dynamic space.

Do you want to find out more and discover further information about emerging technologies? Check the interactive Y/our Ethics Decide here.

This exhibition is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC-BY-SA) licence. This means that it is open for sharing, copying and redistributing the material in any medium or format, and for adapting, remixing, transforming, and build upon the material for any purpose, including commercially. This is applicable for both the digital and the physical versions of the exhibition. You are required to credit Ecsite – the European Network of Science Centres & Museums, and the TechEthos project.

Do you want to make your own version of the installation? 

Download the installation pack

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Enhancement of ethical frameworks and outline of detailed ethics framework

The enhanced ethical framework, known as the ‘TechEthos Anticipatory ethics Matrix’ (TEAeM), offers a systematic approach for researchers, academics, and policy makers to assess and address ethical concerns related to emerging technologies by combining empirical studies from the TechEthos methodology.

Have a closer look at the enhanced ethical framework:
‘TechEthos Anticipatory ethics Matrix’ (TEAeM)

An ethical framework is a set of principles that can provide a solid base for the development of applications that are consistent with the accepted social norms and moral principles and values in society. Agreeing on an ethical framework or a combination of frameworks will help to guide the developers and users of these technologies.

The central problem for the ethics of emerging technologies is that we humans cannot predict the future, and therefore do not know which ethical issues will play out once the technology is fully developed and entrenched in society. As the emerging technology is still evolving, many questions can arise about its nature, its future use, and its social consequences. However, if an ethical framework is to be useful in an area of emerging technology, it needs to be accepted by researchers/academics and policy makers prior to any activity that uses the technology or during the technology’s development phase. Furthermore, the framework should be used in consultation at every stage of development and not just considered as an afterthought.

The ‘TechEthos Anticipatory ethics Matrix’ (TEAeM) will be useful for researchers, academics and policy makers wanting to assess the ethical issues of emerging technologies and to mitigate these risks. The ordering of the various matrix elements in the TEAeM framework can be done in a range of ways, depending on the specific emerging technology under scrutiny.

In order to achieve an outcome capable of being applied across a range of emerging technologies, we have chosen to take one approach, which uses a combination of empirical studies carried out as part of the method used within TechEthos.

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