Traditionally, technology development has been viewed as an “experts-only” activity. This is especially considered true for cutting-edge fields like Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, and 6G. In these environments, modeling, coding, and deployment are often seen as a purely technical pipeline, a way to “engineer” user needs while navigating complex technical hurdles.
However, this perspective ignores “the dark side of the moon”. Every technological action has ripple effects. Even if a tool isn’t designed to harm, human usage or massive societal adoption can lead to unexpected disruptions (much like the environmental impact of plastic). Conversely, unintended uses can also be positive; consider how SMS, originally a minor maintenance tool, revolutionised communication in the 2G and 3G eras (1990 – 2000).
The Challenge: From Abstract Values to Binary Code
At the start of any new project, teams often ask the same fundamental question:
“How do you turn abstract European values into concrete bits (0s and 1s)?”
We believe the solution lies in integrating Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) directly into the development process. By fostering collaboration between SSH experts and technical staff, we move beyond simple checklists toward Ethically Engineered Innovation.
Through our ETHAI (Ethics of AI) model and SAT (Social Acceptance of Technology) framework, we ensure that ethics are built into the architecture from the moment of conception.
A success story: Blockchain and the Right to be Forgotten
The power of this multidisciplinary approach is best seen in how we handle regulatory constraints like GDPR.
Consider the inherent conflict between Blockchain and the Right to Erasure (Art. 17 GDPR):
- The Technology: Blockchain is designed to be an immutable, permanent ledger.
- The Regulation: GDPR mandates that individuals have the right to have their personal data deleted.
By bringing lawyers, ethicists, and engineers together during the requirements elicitation phase, we don’t just identify the problem: we solve it. This collaboration allows us to define specific architectural patterns and data models that respect privacy laws without compromising the integrity of the blockchain. It is a clear example of how a social value translates directly into system specifications.
Our Current Frontiers
As we move toward AI and 6G, this mission becomes even more vital. We are currently applying our “ethically engineered” methodology across a diverse portfolio of projects:
- Cybersecurity: SECUR-EU, INTERSOC, CyberNEMO, and ATHENA
- Healthcare: COMFORTage
- Digital Sovereignty: TRUSTED
- Mobile Networks: 6G4SOCIETY, 6G-DALI, and SUSTAIN-6G
A Structured Multidisciplinary Approach
To ensure seamless collaboration, we use a multi-level requirements elicitation process:
- Abstract Values: We identify core principles such as dignity, integrity, and accountability.
- Regulatory Grounding: We link these values to specific norms, directives, and standards.
- Contextualized Requirements: SSH experts use specialised methodologies to identify potential societal effects that a purely technical team might miss.
- Technical Integration: STEM and SSH experts jointly debate and define the final technical requirements.
By embedding these “social seeds” into the engineering process, we ensure that the technology of tomorrow is not only functional but fundamentally aligned with the society it serves.
