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

MAR 26, 2024 Podcast

When the War Machine Decides: Algorithms, Secrets, and Accountability in Modern Conflict, with Brianna Rosen

Arthur Holland Michel and Oxford's Brianna Rosen discuss the war in Gaza, the U.S. drone program, and algorithmic decisions, transparency, and accountability.

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?

Explore Our Emerging Technology Resources

Will the cell phone supplant cold, hard <br>cash? Photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/whiteafrican/2620808649/">Eric Hersman</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

FEB 3, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Time to Cash Out

Widespread adoption of electronic forms of payment will depend heavily on trust, but it could close some loopholes and jolt the world economy.

JAN 30, 2009 Podcast

Global Ethics Corner: How Real Is Virtual?

Virtual worlds are online environments in which users interact via self-designed persona called avatars. Virtual reality can be entertaining and educational, but at what point ...

CREDIT: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/emraya/2867188734/">Emre Ayaroglu</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

JAN 21, 2009 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Commentary: Is Ethical Capitalism Possible?

How can business models become more sustainable? Fortunately, global human civilization has all the moral tools it needs.

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steviezj/248886048/">Stephen Jones</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

DEC 18, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Innovations: The New Science of Sustainable Dynamics

The concept of sustainability is used as a policy guide today, but beyond this important sense of applied ethics sustainability must also become a science.

Photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/mybigtrip/6111406/">Natmandu</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

DEC 18, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Time Out

As vital as it has become to modern life, keeping track of Coordinated Universal Time is no mean feat.

CREDIT: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/windwaerts/7024073799/">Windwärts Energie GmbH</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

DEC 10, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Germany Moves from Atoms to Photons

Predictions that Germany will be left dangling in the wind once its nuclear power plants are shut down may be premature. Pro-renewables policies have thus ...

Firewood market in Darfur. CREDIT: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/genocideintervention/2713877998/in/set-72157606434376928/">Genocide Intervention Network</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

DEC 9, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Alternative Fuels Take Root in Refugee Camps

Faced with scarce firewood, humanitarian organizations are introducing efficient alternative-fuel stoves to Darfur and other refugee camps worldwide.

CREDIT: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/rndbau/2293048740/">Randy Bautista</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

NOV 18, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Electric Jeepneys Challenge a Philippine Icon

The Philippine passenger jeepney has started to shed its image as a smoke-belching, eardrum-busting public utility vehicle. Originally fashioned out of WWII American military jeeps, ...

Landmine Museum in Cambodia. Photo by <br><a href="http://flickr.com/photos/jystewart/1319431362/">James Stewart</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

OCT 22, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Rats and Robots Sniff Out Landmines

A small-but-growing number of private humanitarian efforts, some using rats and robots, are helping to address the global problem of landmines.

CREDIT: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/29107673@N04/2898272979/in/set-72157608017685359/">Green Jobs Now</a> (<a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en">CC</a>).

OCT 15, 2008 Article

Policy Innovations Digital Magazine (2006-2016): Briefings: Green Jobs Transition Must Accelerate

Jobs will be created by the transition from a high-carbon economy to an energy-efficient one, but the transformation will have to be rapid and global ...