Summary
Technology teams have finally recognized their social and ethical impacts matter deeply. Tech giants are now pledging to turn over new leaves, to prioritize responsible innovation, and to act in more sustainable and equitable ways. But turning aspirations and promises into operational reality is hard work. Cennydd Bowles, head of responsible design and futures studio NowNext, will report on his findings from years in the ethical technology space. What approaches actually work in growing teams? Is there such a thing as an ethical design process? Should you hire specialists? And who gets to decide what’s ethical, anyway?
Key Insights
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Public trust in tech has drastically declined, with only 18% in the UK believing companies design with users' best interests in mind.
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Technology is often seen as beneficial individually but harmful or murky in its societal effects.
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Customer, regulatory, and employee pressures are the three major forces driving ethical changes in tech.
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User-centered design is inadequate; ethical design must consider all stakeholders, including non-users and non-human actors.
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Employee activism around ethics has grown significantly, exemplified by Google’s protests and the 'Tech Won’t Build It' movement.
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Regulation of tech ethics is accelerating globally, with privacy laws, AI regulations, and bans on dark patterns gaining traction.
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Design justice promotes amplifying marginalized voices to address inequities in tech impact.
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Anticipating unintended consequences through tools like ethical cards and futures thinking is essential but underused.
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Ethics should be viewed as a creative constraint—a trellis fostering innovation and building long-term trust.
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Successful ethical practice requires operationalizing responsibility through infrastructure, participation, and continuous dialogue.
Notable Quotes
"For a long time, the tech industry was optimistic and even a little arrogant, saying scandals weren’t changing public attitudes."
"Only 18% of the UK public believe tech companies design with their best interests in mind, which is horrifying."
"People tend to think technology has helped them personally but has murkier effects on broader society."
"Employee activism is becoming a proven way to mobilize latent motivation for a better workplace and a better world."
"User-centered design is woefully inadequate for the needs of the 21st century—our work impacts families, cities, nations."
"Choosing not to engage with ethical and political consequences is itself an ethical and political choice."
"We often assume positive human-technology interactions, but technology is frequently imposed without consent or used for harm."
"Ethics is a positive force: constraints breed creativity, helping products reflect values and build trust."
"Ethical agitation isn’t always popular; some employees have been fired for speaking out about climate or social concerns."
"If you feel safe and comfortable in your job, you’re in the perfect position to use that privilege to speak up and push for change."
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