Understanding "Tech Risk Zones"

The Ethical Explorer Pack is a toolset for supporting responsible technology. The pack contains a toolkit for understanding technology risks, facilitates evaluation of their potential impact, and helps you consider designs that defends against those risks.

The eight tech risks zones, researched and identified by the Institute for the Future, consist of the following areas of consideration:

  • Addiction

  • Algorithmic Bias

  • Bad Actors

  • Data Control

  • Disinformation

  • Exclusion

  • Outsized Power

  • Surveillance

You can download a digital version of the pack, consisting of a Field Guide (which introduces the risks and explains different ways you can use the cards) and the cards themselves (including a blank one you can customize.

While supplies last, they are even shipping free physical sets to the USA.


Have you used this or another tool to facilitate de-risking in strategic design decisions? If so, share about your experience in the comments.