Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies

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Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (IEET) is a pioneering think tank that examines the societal impacts of technological developments from a transhumanist perspective, particularly through the lenses of Democratic Transhumanism and Technoprogressivism. Founded in 2004 by Nick Bostrom and James Hughes, the institute conducts research on the ethical and social implications of technology and works to shape public policies and awareness in this field.^[1] IEET also publishes the Journal of Evolution & Technology, facilitating ongoing transhumanist discussions across both academic and popular platforms. James Hughes has produced podcasts such as Changesurfer Radio under the institute, educating the public on technology ethics.

IEET aims to promote how technological progress can increase freedom, happiness, and human flourishing. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States, it contributes to shaping technology policies and social change strategies. The institute collaborates with international NGOs with similar missions, such as Humanity+, and is recognized as an influential actor in the academic sphere of the transhumanist movement.

Mission and Goals

The institute aims to influence public policy to ensure the equitable distribution of technology benefits while mitigating risks. IEET analyzes the ethical and social impacts of emerging technologies to help society prepare for technological change and transform it into social benefit. It also supports both the academic and practical dimensions of the transhumanist movement, contributing to the safe enhancement of human capacities and the development of strategies for life extension.

Research Areas and Programs

IEET conducts extensive research and programs on emerging technologies and human enhancement. Key initiatives include:

Publications: IEET publishes the peer-reviewed Journal of Ethics and Emerging Technologies (JEET), formerly known as the Journal of Evolution and Technology (JET). The journal explores long-term developments in science, technology, and philosophy, covering topics that many mainstream journals consider "too speculative, radical, or interdisciplinary." The editor-in-chief is Mark Walker. The institute also maintains a technology and ethics blog featuring contributions from various writers.

Programs: Some of the programs launched in 2006 include:

Securing the Future – Identifying threats to the future of civilization and advocating for global solutions.
Rights of the Person – Campaigns to deepen and broaden the concept of human rights.
Longer, Better Lives – Advocacy for longer, healthier lives, addressing objections to life extension, and challenging ageist and ableist attitudes that limit the full use of health technologies.
Envisioning the Future – Collecting positive, negative, and neutral representations of posthumanity and non-human intelligence in science fiction and popular culture to derive lessons.

Currently, IEET focuses its research on the policy implications of human enhancement and other emerging technologies. It collaborates with the Applied Ethics Center at the University of Massachusetts Boston on projects such as "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work, Democracy, and Conflict" and "Cyborgs and Human Enhancement."

Conferences and Events

IEET organizes international conferences and events to lead discussions on technology and ethics. In 2006, it held the Human Enhancement Technologies and Human Rights conference at Stanford University Law School. In 2013, it organized a conference at Yale University on granting various species "personhood" rights. Fellows have represented the institute at events including NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In 2014, IEET hosted conferences such as Eros Evolving: The Future of Love, Sex, Marriage and Beauty and Global Existential Risks and Radical Futures.

Criticism

American conservative lawyer and intelligent design advocate Wesley J. Smith noted that IEET maintains an active transhumanist website, with writers addressing topics like "uploading minds into computers and creating posthumanity." He also criticized the institute's online poll showing that the majority of its readers are atheist or agnostic. Katarina Felsted and Scott D. Wright remarked that while IEET considers itself technoprogressive, some of its views could be described as strong transhumanism or a "radical anti-aging" approach.

Management and Staff

Executive Management

James Hughes – Executive Director
Steven Umbrello – Managing Director
Marcelo Rinesi – CTO

Board of Directors

Fellows and Researchers

Senior Fellows

Fellows

Affiliate Scholars

External Links

↑ A HISTORY OF TRANSHUMANIST THOUGHT

[bostromhistory-1] A HISTORY OF TRANSHUMANIST THOUGHT

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