Professor of Digital Ethics and Defence Technologies
Mariarosaria Taddeo is Professor of Digital Ethics and Defence Technologies.
As digital technologies continue to transform modern life, reshaping how we live, govern, and even wage war, they also give rise to complex ethical, legal, and governance challenges.
The stakes are particularly high in fields such as defence and security, where decisions involving technology can have far-reaching consequences. The rapid pace of technological change often outpaces existing regulatory and ethical frameworks, making it challenging for policymakers and institutions to respond effectively.
There is an urgent need for rigorous, interdisciplinary research to assess the risks and opportunities of this transformation, and to guide the responsible design, deployment, and regulation of digital systems.
At the Digital Ethics and Defence Technologies Research Group, we are at the forefront of research to identify, analyse, and address the ethical and governance challenges arising from digital innovation. Our approach combines conceptual rigour with empirical insights, drawing on expertise from diverse disciplines, including philosophy, law, political science, and international relations.
We explore a broad spectrum of critical issues, such as autonomous weapon systems, AI in defence, cyber conflicts, cybersecurity, surveillance, digital warfare, and neurotechnologies. By collaborating with stakeholders across sectors, we seek to ensure these technologies are developed and governed in ways that uphold human rights, promote justice, support democratic values, and contribute to international stability.
Our work informs global debates on technology governance, ethical design, and regulatory frameworks. Through thought leadership and evidence-based analysis, we support the development of digital technologies that serve society in practice, not just in principle. From influencing international norms on digital warfare to shaping ethical frameworks for surveillance, our research is steering the ethical direction of digital innovation in high stakes environments.
Research Assistant
Cyril is a doctoral researcher in AI, interested in research at the intersection of moral philosophy, cognitive science, and strategic decision-making under uncertainty.
Former MSc Student
Ekin’s research interests lie at the intersection of moral philosophy (x-phi), public policy and political economy of online technologies. He holds an MSc in Philosophy and Public Policy from LSE and has worked in consulting and policy.
Former Research Assistant
Annabelle Gouttebroze is a research assistant for the Digital Ethics and Defence Technology Research Group, led by Professor Taddeo.
DPhil Student
Callum’s research examines disinformation policy responses, AI, memes, and the social role of digital platforms. He previously worked on AI and cyber policy for the Australian government, and is attending Oxford as a Ramsay Scholar.
DPhil Student
Lisa Klaassen is a DPhil student at the Oxford Internet Institute, specialising in the nexus of artificial intelligence and national security.
DPhil Student
Huw Roberts is a doctoral researcher at the University of Oxford’s Internet Institute and an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).
Former Research Assistant
Final-year UCL PhD candidate and Research Assistant at Oxford Internet Institute, studying politically motivated hackers and digital ethics in defence technologies.
Research Assistant
Antonia recently completed the MSc. Global Governance & Diplomacy at the University of Oxford’s Department of International Development and is now an OII Research Assistant on Professor Taddeo’s 'Ethics of AI for Defense' project.
Former Casual Research Assistant
Brian Kot
Research Assistant
Jack Burling Nebe
Research Assistant
This is an inter-divisional and multidisciplinary eight-month pilot study devoted to landscape the problem space and the future research on strategic cyber deterrence (SCD).
This project aims to analyse the new civic responsibilities of Online Service Providers, and the policies regulating them.
The PETRAS IoT Research Hub is a consortium of 9 UK universities working together to explore critical issues in privacy, ethics, trust, reliability, acceptability, and security.
