Our State of the Art Review provides an overview of current research, challenges, and opportunities in embedding ethics into engineering education, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence and robotics.
Introduction – why ethics is central to engineering education in the age of AI and robotics.
Research Focus – a survey of the main areas of study, from AI ethics curricula and inclusivity in teaching, to regulatory alignment and future technological developments.
Key Literature Findings – insights from recent studies on teaching methods, gaps in current approaches, and innovations such as empathy training, role-play, and AI-driven learning tools.
Relevance to European Values – how ethical AI education connects with European principles of democracy, human rights, and fairness, and aligns with frameworks such as the EU AI Act.
Conclusion – a call for stronger integration of ethics into technical training, more collaboration between universities, industry and policymakers, and continuous professional development for engineers.
The review highlights both progress and shortcomings in current practice. While awareness of ethical issues is growing, education often remains fragmented and inconsistent. The report stresses that ethics should not be treated as an “add-on” but as a core element of engineering curricula.
It also points to innovative teaching practices, the importance of European regulatory alignment, and the role of collaboration in shaping a new generation of engineers who are technically skilled and ethically responsible.
