Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology and Law

The Grefenstette Center for Ethics recently awarded First, Second, and Third Place prizes, as well as Honorable Mention, to the winners of the first annual Young 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 Competition winners receive a cash award for their work, they are also invited to join Grefenstette Center staff, Undergraduate Fellows, and Affiliated Faculty on campus at Duquesne University this spring, to engage in a seminar about the future of ethics and technology. Additionally, they are invited as special guests at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in April, and all winning essays will be published on the Grefenstette Center's website. Find the list of this year's winners and their timely topics immediately below.

2025 Young Ethicist Essay Competition Winners

First Place: Lucy Studebaker, Avonworth High School, Is AI Clouding Our Faith?

Second Place: Sydney Savatt, Avonworth High School, AI in the Coaching and Recruitment of High School Athletes

Third Place: Brandon Smidl, Avonworth High School, The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Biological Research and Development

Honorable Mention: Lexi Mannion, Avonworth High School, AI in the Early Childhood Education Field

Thank you to all of the students who submitted essays this year and also to their supportive teachers! A very special thanks goes 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.