E-séminar - Ethics and Technology: AI, Surveillance, and Digital Responsibility

Description 

This seminar explores the complex moral challenges arising from contemporary technological developments. It provides a critical examination of how artificial intelligence, digital surveillance, and data-driven systems are reshaping human agency, privacy, and social relations. The seminar aims to equip participants with a theoretical and conceptual grounding in ethical frameworks while fostering the ability to apply these perspectives to real-world technological issues. Particular attention is given to questions of responsibility, accountability, and justice in the design and use of traditional and emerging technologies. A distinctive feature of the seminar is its interdisciplinary and discussion-based approach, integrating critical analysis with case studies from global and specific contexts. Participants will engage critically with emerging debates on algorithmic bias, digital rights, and governance. By the end of the seminar, participants will be able to articulate informed ethical positions and contribute meaningfully to ongoing discussions on the future of technology and society.

This seminar will take place from March 1 to April 25, 2027.

Steps

• Stage 1 : Foundations of Ethics in the Digital and Technological Age
• Stage 2 : Artificial Intelligence and Moral Agency
• Stage 3 : Surveillance, Power, and Privacy
• Stage 4 : Digital and Technological Responsibility and the Future of Humanity

Objectives

• Critically analyse major ethical theories and apply them to issues in artificial intelligence, surveillance, and digital technologies.
• Evaluate the social, political, and moral implications of technological and digital systems, including questions of privacy, power, and justice.
• Develop well-argued positions on digital responsibility, demonstrating the ability to engage with contemporary ethical debates in both global and African contexts.

Knowledge and Skills Targeted upon Completion of the Seminar

Upon successful completion of this seminar, participants will be able to:

• Apply ethical theories and interdisciplinary analytical frameworks to assess contemporary challenges related to artificial intelligence, digital surveillance, and emerging technologies.
• Critically evaluate the ethical, social, and political implications of digital technologies, with particular attention to issues of responsibility, justice, privacy, and human agency.
• Analyze real-world case studies to identify ethical risks, including algorithmic bias, digital rights, accountability, and governance in technological systems.
• Formulate and defend well-reasoned ethical arguments on the development and use of digital technologies, contributing constructively to contemporary debates in diverse cultural and global contexts.

Assessment Methods

The seminar assessment will be based on two main components:

• Individual analytical assignment: Students will write a one-page paper in response to a given question. This assignment will assess their ability to analyze an issue, develop a personal insight, and support their reflection with relevant theological and bibliographical references. 
• Forum participation: Students' engagement in the group discussions will be evaluated, with particular attention to their ability to listen to others, relate faith to different contexts, share personal insights, and enrich theological dialogue through thoughtful, well-supported contributions.