Social Impacts of Computing

The Social Impacts of Computing (SioC) community group is dedicated to exploring and shaping the evolving relationship between computing and society. SioC examines how computing technologies impact human flourishing, develop ethical frameworks for their application, and foster transdisciplinary collaboration to address societal challenges.

SioC comprises Boise State faculty and industry members from a wide range of disciplines, including data management and visualization, business management, computer science, public policy and administration, philosophy, nursing, history, and cultural studies, as well as community partners with interests in the social impacts of computational innovations, particularly in fields such as machine learning, robotics and generative AI.

By organizing workshops, seminars, and transdisciplinary discussions, SioC fosters innovative learning experiences that encourage critical thinking about the societal impacts of computing. Students, faculty, and community members explore conflicting but equally legitimate values surrounding computing’s social impact. This commitment enriches the academic environment and supports the university’s dedication to responsible and ethical innovative education. 

Computing and Society Pillar Associate Director, Professor Dazhi Yang, Educational Technology

Focusing on the educational and societal aspects of computing, connecting the legal, sociological, and ethical considerations to students, faculty, and industry.

Dazhi Yang’s Research Areas: STEM education, AI in learning, computational thinking, sustainability in engineering design.

Dazhi Yang’s Faculty Profile