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Digital Ethics – Cyber, Robots and AI
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:31:13
Abstract
In this course, we will look at ethical problems connected to digital technologies: cyber, information, robotics and artificial intelligence. Starting from concrete examples in cyber-mobbing, disinformation campaigns, autonomous weapon systems, algorithmic biases and privacy and surveillance, etc. we will also discuss theories in ethics such as deontology, utilitarianism, virtue ethics etc.
Objective
Students will learn about different current ethical problems connected to digital technologies. They will also learn about classical theories in ethics and how to tackle the problems. Students will learn to argue, discuss in class, conceptually think and reflect about these problems. Students will also have to give presentations and write an essay on a topic of choice.
Content
Today, digital technologies have had a tremendous advancement: cyberspace, information exchange, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Along with theses developments major ethical problems have occurred: cyber-mobbing, disinformation campaigns, autonomous weapon systems, algorithmic biases and privacy and surveillance, etc. Today, these problems are a challenge for societies on different levels: political, social, individual and psychological. In this course, starting from concrete examples, ethical problems will be discussed in class based on texts. Students will learn to approach these problems from different ethical theories: deontology, utilitarianism, virtue ethics etc. But students will also obtain a general view on current ethical problems for digital technologies. MINT students will thus obtain a thorough view on current ethical problems for the technologies they are actually developing.
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 30
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar | Digital Ethics – Cyber, Robots and AI |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Wissenschaft im Kontext (Science in Perspective) (In Kursen aus dem Programm “Wissenschaft im Kontext” lernen Studierende, die MINT Fächer der ETH aus der Perspektive der Geistes-, Sozial- und Staatswissenschaften zu reflektieren. Nur die in diesem Abschnitt aufgelisteten Fächer können als "Wissenschaft im Kontext" angerechnet werden.)
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Typ A: Förderung allgemeiner Reflexionskompetenz (WiK-Kurse werden für Bachelorstudierende nach dem ersten Studienjahr sowie für alle Masterstudierende und Doktorierende empfohlen. Alle WiK-Kurse sind in Typ A gelistet. Bei den unter Typ B aufgeführten Kursen handelt es sich lediglich um Belegungsempfehlungen für bestimmte Departemente.)
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Typ B: Reflexion über fachspezifische Methoden und Inhalte (Fachspezifische Lerneinheiten. Relevant für alle Studierenden, die sich für diese Kurse interessieren. Diese Lerneinheiten sind alle auch unter "Typ A" aufgelistet, d.h. die Einschreibung ist allen Studierenden möglich.)
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