Information, Technology & Experimental Ethics Lab (ITE)

ITE – meaning “go” in Latin, and an acronym of Information, Technology & Experimental Ethics

The Information, Technology & Ethics (ITE) Lab is dedicated to advancing knowledge at the intersection of information, public health, and emerging technologies. Our mission is to deepen the scientific understanding of how information shapes societies, and to translate this knowledge into ethical frameworks and practical strategies that safeguard well-being and justice. 

What makes the ITE Lab distinctive is our methodological approach.  We work at the intersection of bioethics, psychology, communication sciences, and computer science, combining experimental setups with normative analysis. Rather than adhering to one disciplinary tradition, we let research questions guide the methods we employ, whether established, emerging, or entirely novel. This flexibility allows us to design innovative studies, test interventions in real-world and laboratory environments, and integrate empirical results into ethical deliberation.

By collaborating across disciplines and engaging with new technologies, we aim to produce knowledge that is both rigorous and relevant, not only through academic contributions, but also policy and practice – locally and globally. At its core, the ITE Lab is committed to one overarching goal: ensuring that societies can ethically navigate the challenges of mis/disinformation and disruptive technologies.

Our research agenda addresses some of the most pressing issues of our time. We focus on two interconnected domains:

1. Infodemics and Mis/Disinformation

We study the dynamics of misinformation and disinformation, particularly in the context of public health crises. Our projects investigate how false or misleading information spreads, how emotions and cognitive biases influence belief formation, and how critical thinking and information literacy can be strengthened. We also test innovative interventions, from educational strategies to AI-based tools, to counter the impact of infodemics and improve societal resilience.

2. Emerging Technologies and Information Ethics

As artificial intelligence and other technologies reshape how information is produced, shared, and consumed, we study their ethical implications. This includes investigating bias in large language models, the governance of persuasive AI, and the responsibilities of institutions that deploy such technologies. Our goal is to anticipate risks, articulate ethical frameworks, and provide actionable recommendations for policymakers, educators, and the public.

The ITE Lab is directed by Dr. Federico Germani and Dr. Giovanni Spitale.
 

We actively welcome students, researchers, and institutions interested in collaborating with us. For opportunities in the ITE Lab, please reach out at:

📧 federico.germani@ibme.uzh.ch
📧 giovanni.spitale@ibme.uzh.ch