New Technologies as Social Experiments
Themes: Social Impact
Early prototype
A TRL is a measure to indicate the matureness of a developing technology. When an innovative idea is discovered it is often not directly suitable for application. Usually such novel idea is subjected to further experimentation, testing and prototyping before it can be implemented. The image below shows how to read TRL’s to categorise the innovative ideas.
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Why?
Introducing technologies in society, such as nanotechnology, biotechnology or nuclear energy, comes with unknowns. We develop an ethical framework based on the notion of experimentations to deal with that uncertainty.
How?
We conceptualise the introduction of technology in society as a social experiment and explore the conditions rendering it morally acceptable.
When?
The ethical framework “New Technologies as Social experiments” is being conceptually developed for different technological fields. Next, we will adapt it to policy and industrial contexts with relevant partners.
Prof. dr. ir. Ibo van de Poel