Ars Techne Code of Ethics

Last Updated: March 16, 2025

1. Introduction

Ars Techne is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating environment for all participants. As a research-driven initiative exploring the intersections of art, technology, and consciousness, Ars Techne values critical inquiry, creative expression, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This Code of Ethics outlines the principles and expectations that ensure a constructive and ethical engagement among all contributors, collaborators, and audiences.

This document is community-driven and subject to continuous refinement through open discussion and collective decision-making.

 

2. Core Values

2.1. Respect, Inclusion, and Participatory Governance

  • Ars Techne is dedicated to inclusivity and welcomes diverse perspectives, ensuring a space free from discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, disability, nationality, or belief system.

  • Decision-making processes regarding ethical concerns, governance, and community policies should be collectively determined through open forums, periodic reviews, and community voting mechanisms.

2.2. Open Knowledge and Transparent Protocols

  • All research and creative outputs should adhere to open-access principles, with clearly defined protocols for sharing, modifying, and attributing work.

  • Transparency in methodology, data integrity, and artistic intent is required to ensure credibility and accessibility.

2.3. Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Exchange

  • We foster interdisciplinary and interspecies dialogue, encouraging participation from artists, technologists, scientists, and non-human entities.

  • Knowledge sharing and co-creation should be reciprocally beneficial, ensuring all contributors receive proper acknowledgment and opportunities for continued engagement.

2.4. Sustainability and Ethical Stewardship

  • Ars Techne prioritizes ecological consciousness in all projects, striving for minimal environmental impact and responsible resource use.

  • Technological and artistic interventions must be evaluated for their long-term sustainability and regenerative potential.

2.5. Creative Freedom and Responsibility

  • While innovation and experimentation are at the core of Ars Techne, members acknowledge the ethical implications of emerging media, AI, and biotechnological interventions.

  • Ethical considerations should guide artistic and research practices, ensuring respect for human and non-human participants.

 

3. Community Standards and Professional Conduct

All members of Ars Techne are expected to:

  • Treat all participants with dignity and respect.

  • Engage in constructive dialogue, prioritizing critique over personal attacks.

  • Respect privacy, consent, and the integrity of all involved entities, including human and more-than-human collaborators.

  • Actively participate in community decision-making, ensuring that ethical concerns are openly discussed and addressed collectively.

  • Maintain transparency in research and artistic practices, ensuring proper attribution and acknowledgment.

  • Prioritize sustainability and minimize ecological footprints in all projects.

 

4. Ethical Research and Artistic Practice

4.1. Open Ethics Review Process

  • Any research or artistic project involving bioart, AI, transgenic media, or human-non-human interaction must undergo an open ethics review conducted by community members and ethics advisors.

  • Ethical considerations must be integrated at all stages of a project, with open documentation accessible to all stakeholders.

4.2. Responsible Innovation

  • All members must disclose potential conflicts of interest in research and collaborations.

  • Ethical standards must be upheld when engaging with living systems, AI, and emerging media.

  • Projects should strive to incorporate consent-based interactions with both human and non-human entities.

 

5. Addressing Ethical Concerns and Violations

5.1. Open Mediation and Conflict Resolution

  • Ethical concerns and disputes should be addressed through a transparent, community-driven mediation process.

  • A designated Ethics Forum will facilitate open discussions and establish guidelines for addressing concerns.

  • Community members can submit concerns anonymously, and all reports will be handled with confidentiality and fairness.

5.2. Consequences for Violations

  • Violations of this Code of Ethics may result in mediation, temporary suspension, or exclusion from Ars Techne events and collaborations.

  • Decisions regarding ethical violations will be determined collectively, ensuring fairness and transparency.

 

6. Commitment to Continuous Reflection

  • This Code of Ethics is a living document, open to periodic revisions and community-driven amendments.

  • All members are encouraged to participate in ongoing discussions to refine and improve ethical standards.

  • The community will hold regular ethical review sessions to ensure accountability and adaptability to new challenges.

By participating in Ars Techne, all members agree to uphold these principles, fostering a respectful, sustainable, and innovative environment for collective inquiry and creation.