TechnologyJuly 4, 2026

ethicist

/ˈɛθɪsɪst/

Definition

A professional or expert who specializes in the study and application of moral principles and ethical theory, particularly within a corporate or institutional setting.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word 'ethikos', meaning 'moral' or 'showing moral character.' It entered English through the study of ethics, adding the suffix '-ist' to denote a person who practices or specializes in that field.

In the news

In the article, the term refers to Iason Gabriel, a philosopher employed by Google DeepMind to navigate the moral complexities of AI development. The author uses it to critique whether such experts have actual influence or are merely providing a 'philosophical sheen' to corporate interests.

We can debate the ethics of AI but can’t seem to change course | Letters

Read the full article ↗

The Guardian

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