Centering ethics in a data-driven world

Data, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies increasingly shape daily life. Marquette University's Center for Data Ethics is working to ensure those systems reflect values of human dignity, justice and responsibility. Housed in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences and led by Dr. Michael Zimmer, professor of computer science, the center serves as Marquette's interdisciplinary hub for research, teaching and community engagement at the intersection of technology and the common good.

"Marquette has a long tradition of asking not only what we can do, but what we should do," said Dr. Heather Hathaway, acting dean of the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences. "Guided by our Jesuit mission and a deep concern for human dignity, the Center for Data Ethics embodies that commitment by helping students, faculty and community partners grapple thoughtfully with the ethical implications of data and AI."

Grounded in Jesuit commitments to integrate human development and a faith that does justice, the center aligns with Marquette's strategic plan and supports faculty-student research, ethics-across-the-curriculum initiatives and new learning pathways that prepare students to lead responsibly in a data-driven world.

Zimmer shares more about his work and the Center's growing impact.

What is your background, and how does it connect to the Center for Data Ethics?

I am a professor of computer science at Marquette University and a leading scholar in data and internet research ethics. I'm a bit of an odd fit in computer science, but in a good way! I'm trained as an interdisciplinary scholar of ethics and technology, so I tend to focus on the human and societal side of data and AI.

I'm really interested in the ethical implications of large-scale data collection, artificial intelligence and emerging digital technologies - particularly issues of privacy, human dignity and how these systems shape communities and social values.

How has your scholarship influenced the broader field?

My work to develop ethical guidelines for data-driven research and AI has been incorporated into training programs used by universities and oversight bodies worldwide. I serve as chair of the Ethics Working Committee for the Association of Internet Researchers and sit on the Research Ethics Committee for the ACM Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction.

How has this work shaped your role at Marquette?

At Marquette, I've worked to integrate data and technology ethics into computing education and research, as well as into the Core Curriculum and other interdisciplinary programs. Leading the Center for Data Ethics is a natural extension of that work.

Why focus on data ethics now?

Data and AI systems are embedded in nearly every aspect of our lives - from health care and hiring to policing, education and entertainment. They shape decisions, opportunities and access to information in ways that are often invisible but deeply consequential.

Data ethics asks key questions: Who benefits from these systems? Who is harmed or left behind? Whose voices - and whose data - are included or excluded? And how do we ensure accountability, fairness and respect for persons?

What role does the Center play in responding to these challenges?

As technological innovation accelerates, ethical reflection often lags behind. The Center for Data Ethics helps close that gap by equipping students, technologists, researchers and communities to responsibly shape data-driven technologies.

Why is Milwaukee an important place for this work?

Milwaukee reflects both the promise and the challenges of a data-driven society. There's vibrant innovation here, alongside longstanding inequities that technology can either reinforce or help address.

How does this regional context shape the Center's mission?

Regional investments, including the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute, are positioning southeastern Wisconsin as a hub for data science and AI. That makes it especially important to embed ethical considerations into that growth. The Marquette Center for Data Ethics aims to be a bridge between the university and the community, promoting more just and equitable data practices.

What are some of the center's current activities?

Since launching in 2022, the Center has supported interdisciplinary research, sponsored student research and conference travel, and integrated data ethics into courses and programs across campus.

The center also partners across the university to co-sponsor public events, guest lectures and talks featuring leading global experts on topics such as privacy, cybersecurity, data science and artificial intelligence. In addition, it contributes to campus-wide guidance on the responsible use of AI and engages community and industry partners.

More recently, the Center has worked alongside interdisciplinary teams of faculty, staff and students to help build Marquette's capacity to critically and responsibly engage the rise of AI - supporting collaborative initiatives, developing shared frameworks and fostering ongoing dialogue across campus.

What's next for the Center for Data Ethics?

Looking ahead, the center aims to expand its educational reach and institutional impact. That includes developing new student opportunities - such as an interdisciplinary minor, a Discovery Tier in the Marquette Core Curriculum and initiatives like a community of practice on Discerning AI - that bring an ethical focus to how students learn about data and technology.

In parallel, the center is investing in building a sustainable infrastructure for interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting faculty, students and community partners in addressing the ethical and societal implications of data and AI.

The center is also deepening its engagement with industry and policymakers, helping to shape responsible data and AI practices while fostering partnerships in Milwaukee and beyond and to contribute to global conversations about ethical data and AI grounded in Marquette's values of human dignity, justice and the common good.