Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology and Law
What does it mean to be ethical in a world of AI?
The Carl G. Grefenstette Center leverages Duquesne University’s commitment to ethics in order to promote partnerships
with leading institutions and to become a transformational force for both Duquesne
and the global community. The Grefenstette Center is the first in the world to bring
Catholic, Spiritan values and ideals in an ecumenical framework to grapple with the growing challenges
presented by science and technology in society. Our vision is to enrich the conversations
and practical implementations of ethics in digital technology by incorporating religious
ethics into future discussion and development. The Grefenstette Center hosts an annual Tech Ethics Symposium each Fall, a student-focused hackathon (Hacking4Humanity) every Spring, and regularly hosts scholars at the intersection of ethics, technology
and faith on campus.
Stay up to date on all Grefenstette Center happenings by signing up for our email
list!
There are many ways to connect with the Grefenstette Center throughout the year, whether
you're a student, faculty, or member of the public!
On November 6 and 7, 2025, Duquesne University will host Staying Human in the Age of AI, the sixth annual Grefenstette Center for Ethics Tech Ethics Symposium. The Symposium is a national conference that examines how generative AI is transforming
the way we see ourselves, and others, as humans: in relationships, in communities,
across borders, and in the classroom. This event will feature national speakers, student
and faculty discussions, community conversations, and a wide variety of research and
teaching best practices on display.
All undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit posters to present at the Symposium on any aspect of technology ethics! All accepted posters will receive a $75 award to offset printing costs. On top of this award, accepted posters will compete for the following prizes:
Undergraduate Students:
Outstanding Researcher Award ($400) for the poster that exemplifies the best of undergraduate research and its applications
for technology ethics
Ethical PA Award ($400) for the poster that best addresses ethical technology questions and concerns of people
around Pittsburgh or throughout Pennsylvania
Pope Francis Award ($400) for the poster that best exemplifies the Catholic ethic of service, encounter, and love,
as encompassed in Pope Francis’ approach to technology
Graduate Students: Grand Prize ($400); Runner-Up ($200)
Additionally, all posters will be eligible for $100 "Audience Choice" awards, for
which Symposium attendees will cast their vote during the event.
Rules & Eligibility:
Complete this formand submit the poster by 11:59pm on Friday, October 17!
Submissionsmaycomefromindividualsor teams.Only one poster per team.
Postersizemustbe36" x 44"
Postersmaycomefromany academic discipline.
Any current undergraduate or graduate student,from any university, is eligible to submit a poster.
If accepted, at least one authormustbephysicallypresenttopresenttheposter.
Generative AI may NOT be used to create the poster.All posters will be scanned, and AI-generated posters will be disqualified.
The Grefenstette Center for Ethics recently awarded First, Second, and Third Place
prizes, as well as Honorable Mention, to the winners of the first annualYoung Ethicist Essay Competition.Pittsburgh area high school students were invited to submit essays that addressed
the question, "How is Generative AI transforming our communities?" The top essays were well written
and engaging. They substantively addressed the guiding question, “How is Generative
AI transforming our communities?," and provided insight into the ethical concerns
that AI raises relative to their selected community.
Not only do Young Ethicist Essay Competitionwinners receive a cash awardfor their work, they are alsoinvited to join Grefenstette Center staff, Undergraduate Fellows, and Affiliated Faculty
on campus at Duquesne Universitythis spring, to engage in a seminar about the future of ethics and technology. Additionally,
they areinvited as special guests at theNational Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR)in April, and allwinning essays will be published on the Grefenstette Center's website. Find the list of this year'swinnersand their timely topics immediately below.
Thank you to all of the students who submitted essays this year and also to their
supportive teachers! A very special thanksgoes to Avonworth High School Language Arts and Journalism teacher, Scott Tuffiash! Mr. Tuffiash challenged the students in his Senior English class on AI and Ethics
to dive into these timely tech ethics conversations and provided them with the research
and writing tools needed to carefully consider the question of how AI is impacting
our communities.
Interested in the ethics and responsible use of technology? Want to gain real-world
experience outside of a classroom setting? The Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law is proud to
offer an undergraduate scholarship program for four Duquesne University students each academic
year!
Undergraduate Student Fellows work closely with Center staff and affiliated faculty
to build their research interests, present a poster at the fall Tech Ethics Symposium,
participate in the spring hackathon, and engage in monthly conversations on tech ethics
throughout the year! No previous experience with tech or tech ethics necessary. Students
from ALL disciplines are welcome!
Applications for the 2025-2026 Undergraduate Student Fellowship are closed. Details of the 2026-2027 program will be posted in Spring 2026.
The Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law at Duquesne
University invites scholars and researchers in the United States to apply for the
Grefenstette National Research Scholars program for Academic Year 2025-2026. The National
Research Scholars program is a small community of scholars from all backgrounds and
traditions who come together monthly and discuss their research on the intersections
of technology, society, and faith, broadly construed.
We seek seven scholars from all research areas to contribute to the conversation around
the responsible use of digital technology and its intersection with religious and/or
theological studies. Scholars may come from the academy or from industry (including
tech and religious ministry), as long as the individual has a research interest and
a plan to develop their research. PhD or terminal degree in one’s field is preferred
but not required. Areas of study include but are not limited to critical AI/critical
technology studies, responsible AI studies, ethics, religious studies, sociology of
religion, intersectional approaches to technology and society, and theology.
The goal of the program is to cultivate a research cohort, to provide peer support,
and to generate new and innovative research paths in the intersection of technology
and religious studies, especially given the recent development of generative AI. All
Scholars will receive a stipend of $2000 for the year, participate in monthly discussions,
and be part of a year-end virtual public roundtable.
Applications for the 2025-2026 National Research Scholars are closed. Details of the 2026-2027 program will be posted in Spring 2026.
Grefenstette Center Hosts Anatomy of an AI System
The Grefenstette Center for Ethics, the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal
Arts, and the School of Science and Engineering are honored to bring to campus Kate
Crawford and Vladan Joler's world-famous artwork, Anatomy of an AI System (2018).
You can see this "anatomical case study of the Amazon Echo" on the third floor of
College Hall, where it will remain on display until May 2027. Do not miss the opportunity
to engage with a work of art that raises critical ethical questions as it helps everyone
to understand exactly what goes into a single piece of AI technology!
Senior Research Fellow, Vernon F. Gallagher Chair & Professor, Center for Global Health
Ethics
About Us
The Grefenstette Center takes an unflinching look at the ethical intersections of
science and technology by working with partners at Duquesne, in Pittsburgh, and across
the world.
Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law
