Announcement!
Beginning in Fall 2026, Duke Sanford will offer a minor in Tech Policy. This program will be open to all undergraduate students, regardless of major. More Information.
On March 17, Grammy-nominated artist Tift Merritt and renowned guitarist and composer Marc Ribot came together at Duke’s Periodic Tables, hosted by Science & Society, to discuss the threats that AI-generated music poses to musicians today. Both artists have spent years advocating for musicians’ rights–Ribot as a member of the…
Research Areas
CYBERSECURITY
PLATFORM ACCOUNTABILITY
DEEP TECH
DATA BROKERAGE
DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY
AI & CREATIVE ECONOMY
What We Do
Executive Education
Executive education provides global certificate-based programs for a wide range of professionals, including the annual Cybersecurity Leadership Program in partnership with Pratt School of Engineering.
Course Work
Courses are offered by faculty across schools and programs for both undergraduates and graduate students with many cross-listed courses hosted by Science & Society.
Research
The Tech Policy Lab focuses on work in the five key research areas listed above in conjunction with academic and industry partners. The lab works closely with the Deep Tech Initiative.
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
- Security Incident Detection, Response, and Resilience (CYBERSEC 510) - Prof. Arturo Ehuan - Mo 3:05pm - 5:55pm
- Information, Technology, Ethics and Policy (PUBPOL 372) - Prof. Abe Katz - MoWe 8:30am - 9:45am
- Cybersecurity and Health Data Policy (PUBPOL 552S / SCISOC 552S) - Prof. Campbell Tucker - TuTh 1:25pm - 2:40pm
- AI, Ethics & Creative Economic Policy (PUBPOL 590 / SCISOC 590) - Prof. David Hoffman - TuTh 11:45am - 1:00pm
- Digital Democracy (PUBPOL 590S) - Prof. Piero Bonadeo - Th 3:05pm - 5:35pm
- Governing AI (PUBPOL 590S) - Prof. Anne Washington - We 3:05pm - 5:35pm
- Privacy and Ethical Decision-Making in Our Digital Era (PUBPOL 614 / SCISOC 614) - Prof. Jolynn Dellinger - Mo 1:25pm - 3:55pm
- Navigating The Information Environment (PUBPOL 838) - Prof. Philip Napoli - Th 6:00pm - 7:15pm
- Cybersecurity Policy & Practice (PUBPOL 890) - Prof. Thomas Ross - Th 7:30pm - 8:45pm
- You, Me, and the Machine: Philosophy and the Idea of AI (SCISOC 171CN) - Prof. Henry Pickford - TuTh 3:05pm - 4:20pm
- Science & Society: Digital Intelligence - Computing and Ethics (SCISOC 256) - Prof. Sarah Ripsin Sedlak - Tu 1:25pm - 3:55pm
- AI & Financial Services Policy (SCISOC 590) - Prof. Lee Reiners - MoWe 3:05pm - 4:20pm
- Bass Chips Challenge: Tech Policy (SCISOC 590) - Prof. David Hoffman - Tu 4:00pm - 5:00pm
- Applying Ethics to Innovation (SCISOC 690) - Prof. David Hoffman - We 8:45am - 11:15am
Projects
Women’s Perspectives on Cybersecurity
Ongoing
As cybersecurity becomes increasingly vital to national and economic security, building a diverse and inclusive workforce is more critical than ever. This research initiative examines the experiences, barriers, and aspirations of women in the cybersecurity field across Latin America. By gathering data directly from women in the field, this project aims to inform targeted policies and programs that promote gender equity and strengthen regional cybersecurity capacity.
AI & Music Streaming
Ongoing
Artificial intelligence and AI-generated music are affecting the music streaming industry globally. Human-created music is fundamental to society, social change, and democracy. This project examines the impacts of AI on career artists' ability to make a living, listener privacy, online safety, and exposure to new music in the US, EU, and UK. It also examines how the impact of AI on the music industry is a canary in the coal mine for how AI will impact the labor force.
AI for Metascience
Ongoing
Duke Deep Tech has partnered with OpenAI to establish the AI for Metascience research initiative, dedicated to understanding and leveraging AI's potential to transform scientific research. The program aims to explore how AI can accelerate scientific discovery through multidisciplinary collaborations bringing together experts from computational sciences, life sciences, social sciences, health sciences, policy, ethics, and humanities to create a holistic approach.
The technology policy concentration prepares students to assume positions in public service, the private sector, and non-profits dealing with public policy issues associated with technology innovation. These positions include roles as legislative staff, executive agency analysts, national security and law enforcement jobs, company government affairs managers, lobbying consultants, and civil society advocates. Technology continues to impact society across all industry sectors and aspects of daily life. Sanford’s focus on technology policy prepares students to address issues of government support for innovation and actions to mitigate the negative impacts that technology can make on individuals’ lives. For more information, please contact Ken Rogerson.
Beginning in Fall 2026, this minor is open to undergraduate students seeking a deeper understanding of how technology influences society and how policy decisions shape the development and use of technological systems. This minor is well-suited for students interested in how decisions about technology are made and who wish to contribute to guiding technological innovation in a thoughtful and responsible manner. For more information, please contact Ken Rogerson.
News & Media
Sugar High, part 2: With AI music, can you believe your ears?
Sugar High, Part 1 — The Future of Music? (Debugger Podcast Release)
Duke approves new Technology Policy minor
Duke considers a new tech policy minor
Want to stay in the know about Duke Tech Policy events, lab opportunities, and course offerings? Join our email list by emailing dukecyberpolicy@duke.edu with your name.