Responsible Computer Science Challenge, Mozilla Foundation

How can ethics be integrated into undergraduate computer science education in order to empower future technology builders to create a healthier internet for all?

Today, computer scientists wield tremendous power. The code they write may be used by billions of people and influences everything from what news stories we read to what personal data companies collect to who gets parole, insurance or housing loans - and who does not. When that power isn’t coupled with responsibility, the results can have unintended consequences, negatively impacting users’ privacy, security, or wellbeing.

Through the Responsible Computer Science Challenge, Omidyar Network, Mozilla, Schmidt Futures and Craig Newmark Philanthropies are supporting the conceptualization, development, and piloting of curricula that integrate ethics with undergraduate computer science training, educating a new wave of engineers who bring holistic thinking to the design of technology products. The hope is that the Challenge will unearth and spark innovative coursework that will not only be implemented at the participating home institutions, but also be scaled to additional colleges and universities across the country — and beyond.

Awards

Final award amounts are at the discretion of award reviewers and Mozilla staff, but it is currently anticipated that the following awards will be made:
- Stage I: At least ten (10) prizes of up to $150,000
- Stage II: At least five (5) prizes of up to $200,000

Judging Criteria

Challenge submissions will be judged by a panel of experts from academic, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations working in the fields of computer science, ethics, technology, and other experts from related domain areas. Challenge Submissions will be judged based on the following criteria:
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POTENTIAL OF APPROACH: Does the proposed concept represent a promising approach to meeting the goals of this awards track?
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FEASIBILITY: How feasible is the outlined concept? How likely is the project team to be successful in implementing this approach?
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DIFFERENTIATION: How does the proposed concept differ from or improve upon existing solutions? What is innovative or novel about the proposed concept?
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IMPACT: To what extent is this approach likely to lead to a healthier internet and greater integration of ethical reflection and societal consideration into the tech industry?
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MOVEMENT BUILDING: Does this applicant help to engage new and diverse perspectives in the conversation about ethics and technology?
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SCALABILITY: Is this approach likely to be scalable to other courses or universities? Is there a clear plan for and commitment to dissemination, sharing and working open?

For more information please visit the following link:
Responsible Computer Science Challenge, Mozilla Foundation