Where Technology Meets Humanity
At the Centre for Digital Ethics, we believe technology should deepen not diminish our shared humanity. We bring together thinkers, policymakers, and creators to explore how digital systems shape autonomy, empathy, and moral responsibility. Our work seeks to ensure that innovation serves human flourishing and in doing so protects the dignity, agency, and connection that define what it means to be human.
We are a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to advancing human dignity and ethical innovation in the digital age.
By combining philosophical inquiry with practical action, we explore how emerging technologies shape autonomy, identity, and social trust.
From AI governance to digital well-being, our work bridges research, policy, and public dialogue to ensure that technology serves humanity not the other way around.
Every initiative is designed for real-world impact, fostering awareness, accountability, and a more humane digital future.
What We Do
The Centre for Digital Ethics was founded to bridge the gap between technology, law, and humanity. Born from a commitment to protect autonomy and human dignity in an age of rapid technological change, CDE unites thinkers and practitioners from across disciplines to explore how innovation can remain accountable, transparent, and human-centred. Our expertise spans digital rights, AI governance, data protection, and ethical design, translating complex regulation and moral philosophy into practical frameworks for policy, research, and responsible innovation. At its heart, CDE is driven by one question: how can technology advance human flourishing rather than diminish it?
Latest News
The Centre for Digital Ethics has officially launched.
Rooted in curiosity, compassion, and critical thought, CDE is dedicated to re-imagining how technology can serve human dignity and autonomy. Our mission is to bring people together, across disciplines and perspectives, to shape a digital future that reflects our deepest values and shared humanity.
CDE Launches “Autonomy & AI” Research Initiative
Our new research program explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping human decision-making, emotional well-being, and democratic participation, asking what it truly means to remain free and human in a digital world.
CDE Launches “Autonomy Literacy: Recognising and Responding to Digital Harms.” Programme.
This programme builds autonomy awareness for the digital age, helping individuals recognise how AI, platforms, and persuasive technologies can influence what we see, believe, choose, and become.
Affiliations & Partnerships
The Centre for Digital Ethics works across international organisations, civil society, academia and policy networks to advance human-centred approaches to artificial intelligence and digital technologies. These affiliations and collaborations strengthen CDE’s research, education, civic engagement and policy work, while connecting its activities in Ireland with wider European and international discussions on AI, fundamental rights, autonomy and democratic values.
International Association for Safe and Ethical AI (IASEAI)
CDE is an Affiliate Member of the International Association for Safe and Ethical AI (IASEAI), a global community working to advance the safe, ethical and responsible development and governance of artificial intelligence. The affiliation reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that AI systems are developed in ways that protect human dignity, autonomy and democratic values.
United Nations
The Centre for Digital Ethics engages with a number of United Nations and UN-affiliated initiatives concerned with artificial intelligence, digital governance, ethics and the societal impact of emerging technologies. This includes participation in the United Nations Global Dialogue on AI Governance, involvement in United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC) through Working Group 1 - Governance and Regulation, and membership of the UNESCO Global Civil Society Organisations Network on AI Ethics.
Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS)
CDE participates through its founder in the work of the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), including through relevant task-force activity concerning artificial intelligence and digital policy. This engagement connects CDE’s research and civil-society work with European policy discussions on AI governance, regulation, innovation, competitiveness and fundamental rights.
AI Trust Council
CDE is a member of the AI Trust Council, an international network bringing together organisations and experts working on trust, accountability and responsible practice in artificial intelligence. Participation in the Council supports CDE’s engagement with broader international discussions on trustworthy, transparent and human-centred AI.
Children’s Rights Alliance
CDE contributes through its founder to the Children’s Rights Alliance, a coalition of organisations working to protect and strengthen the rights and well-being of children in Ireland. This relationship supports CDE’s work on children’s digital rights, online vulnerability, autonomy, digital literacy and the effects of emerging technologies on children and young people.
Trinity College Dublin
CDE collaborates with Trinity College Dublin across research, education and public engagement concerning digital ethics, human agency and the societal impact of emerging technologies. Trinity has provided an important academic setting for CDE’s interdisciplinary work, student engagement and public-interest convening.
EMILDAI / Dublin City University
CDE works with the European Master in Law, Data and Artificial Intelligence (EMILDAI) at Dublin City University through student research placements and collaborative projects. This relationship brings together law, technology and interdisciplinary research to examine emerging questions in AI governance, digital harms, vulnerability and fundamental rights.
Indiana University South Bend
CDE has developed an academic collaboration with Indiana University South Bend, supporting interdisciplinary research and educational engagement in digital ethics, artificial intelligence and the societal consequences of emerging technologies. The relationship strengthens CDE’s transatlantic academic network and its connection with researchers working across technology, ethics and public policy.