2025 Reports

Ethics in Media, Technology, and Design: Case Studies | Volume 2

Scherling, Laura S.; Piddo, Josefina; Kissin, Ariella; Sinha, Navya; Gao, Luhui; Ross, Chantel; Noorzaie, Hanan; Hou, Isabel

Behind every push notification and auto-suggested response lies a framework of intentional design meant to capture your attention, guide your choices, and secure your loyalty. In our latest edition of Ethics in Media, Technology, and Design: Case Studies, six graduate students at Columbia University examine the ethical complexities embedded in everything from AI companions to precision agriculture, tracing how design choices in gaming, healthcare, transportation are quietly rewriting the rules of trust, autonomy, and power. This is the 2nd volume of work from Columbia University lecturer Laura Scherling, EdD's course "Ethics of Media, Tech, and Design" in the Tech Policy & Innovation Concentration, co-edited with graduate student Josefina Piddo. The work featured is written by Ariella Kissin, Navya Sinha, Luhui Gao, Isabel Hou, Chantel Ross, and Hanan Noorzaie.