A group of students pose for a picture
Responsible Computing Club ambassadors stand in front of the Student Union. Credit: Seth Heller

Authored by Aleck Castro, Melanie Regalado Hernandez, Shane Nguyen, and Ynha Nguyen

At the start of this year, Mozilla brought the Responsible Computing Challenge (RCC) to San José State University (SJSU) to offer more than just a lesson in tech: it was a call to action. The event sparked conversations with students about the technologies we rely on every day—whether it was a simple web search or asking ChatGPT a question—and how they carry a significant, often hidden, and profound influence on ourselves and others. For Julia Husainzada, a then-freshman studying Data Science, it was the first conversation about responsible computing that she’d heard about outside of the classroom. RCC’s open discussions and focus on ethical computing left her in awe. She felt there was more to explore and wanted to build something that lasted longer than a weekend. Julia reached out to RCC’s team with an idea: a campus organization that would give responsible computing a permanent home on campus. The next semester, Julia became the President of the Responsible Computing Club (RCC Club) at SJSU.

Courses centered around AI are undoubtedly important, given how AI is increasingly playing a prominent role in our daily lives. In many STEM classrooms, there’s a strong emphasis on technical problem-solving, but not enough attention is given to the ethical consequences of the technology we’re building. Too often, the conversations stop once the technical solution is found—but what about the human impact? This fixation on technical potential glosses over the reality of how innovation affects our communities, environment, and digital landscapes—as well as how we think about the world.

As current courses struggle to keep up with AI’s rapid growth, students deserve a space outside of the classroom where they can further develop their skills. That’s where the RCC Club comes in, as we recognize this need and aim to provide that space for students through various collaborative events. “RCC Club is our way of keeping that dialogue alive,” Julia shared. “Our goal isn’t just to study technology, but to question it, to understand its effects, and to make sure it’s applied responsibility.”

RCC Club is our way of keeping that dialogue alive. Our goal isn’t just to study technology, but to question it, to understand its effects, and to make sure it’s applied responsibility.”

Julia Husainzada, President, Responsible Computing Club (RCC) at SJSU.

The most common question we get is, “What exactly do you guys actually do?” Well, our mission is to make responsible computing relevant to everyone and applicable to their everyday lives, no matter their background. In order to harness our mission of inviting all majors (and minors) to hone their collective strengths, we've created dedicated teams focused on areas like workshops, consulting, marketing, web development, and so much more! That being said, we host workshop events, bring in guest speakers to dive into tech ethics, and connect with our local RCC community!

Our first event was a facial recognition workshop, where we unpacked the social impacts of technology on diverse communities. To expand on ethical data practices, we supported several departments at SJSU in hosting a speaker event featuring Dr. Lauren Klein, author of the acclaimed Data Feminism. During this event, Dr. Klein shared insights on how feminism can promote inclusivity in data usage. She introduced the seven core principles of data feminism which encourage us to critically examine power structures, embrace pluralism, and highlight diversity to better understand social inequalities beyond just gender. As a research professor, Dr. Klein offered a fresh and ethical approach to the data we interact with daily, pushing us to think about its impact from a more inclusive and socially conscious viewpoint.

The event was a resounding success, with over 70 attendees joining in person at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library and more than 400 participating online. We give special thanks to our collaborators and the event’s sponsors Dr. Katherine D. Harris and the College of Humanities and the Arts (H&A in Action); Dr. Nada Attar, Dr. Darrra Hofman, and Dr. Michele Villagran, from CIRLCE–a 2023 RCC awardee–and the College of Information, Data, and Society; Dean Sheryl Ehrman from the College of Engineering; and the Lucas College & Graduate School of Business. By uniting humanists, artists, scientists, and engineers alike, we can engage in meaningful conversations about inclusivity in data.

Looking ahead, RCC Club is planning more exciting workshops and speaker events to explore topics surrounding ethical design, sustainability, and accessibility within technology. We’re also planning to host social events to help our members connect and build a strong community—starting with our upcoming Halloween Haunted House fundraiser!

Now, as the first set of Mozilla ambassadors sponsored by the Responsible Computing Challenge, our club is paving the way for future universities to follow. What sets RCC Club apart from other campus organizations is our belief that the responsibility of ethical computing isn't just for STEM majors, but for everyone. We believe that whether you are studying the arts, humanities, or sciences, you have a crucial role in sharing your voice and ensuring that technology will always serve people first. At RCC Club, it’s not just about the technology—it’s about YOU. Your unique experiences and ideas are what drive meaningful conversations and help shape the future of responsible computing. Tech is changing the world, so let’s make sure it’s for the better together.

With 100+ members joining in just the first month, the RCC Club is here to shift the culture of AI and inspire students at SJSU to use their degrees in shaping a future that works for everyone. We’re dedicated to changing the conversation around AI and emerging technologies to focus not just on the technical aspects, but also on the social, ethical, and environmental implications.

Our ambassadors have shared their thoughts on why they’re excited to be part of this movement.

  • Student ambassador Jennifer Low, a Digital Media Art student, said, “While I am not a STEM major, and definitely not technologically savvy, I find that RCC highlights a perspective on technology I've yet to see anywhere else. At RCC I look forward to expressing my desire for restrictions on AI use within not only creative projects but general use as well. Instantly fabricating media at your fingertips is an incredibly dangerous new power we have.“

  • Tanisha Damle, lead ambassador for the workshop committee and Interval VP studying Computer Science stated, “What excites me about this club is its dedication to bringing together students from different majors, creating an inclusive space where individuals from various backgrounds can collaborate and engage in thought-provoking discussions about AI and responsible computing.”

  • Glerys Gonzalez, a student ambassador studying Accounting commented, “I love RCC because it brings students from different majors and passions to explore more about technology! Technology impacts every field, and we all need to apply it responsibly. Additionally, being an ambassador for RCC is a great way to gain experience in any career as well as learn more about technology!”

RCC isn’t just a club—it’s a source of inspiration for many of our student ambassadors. Here’s how being part of the club has motivated them to think differently, act ethically, and make an impact in the tech world and beyond:

  • Student ambassador Andre Dinh, who’s studying Data Science says, “RCC has led me to think more critically about the long-term effects of the work we do in tech, and it's been rewarding to see others grow passionate about these issues too. It's not just about coding or building projects-it's about using our skills to make a positive difference.”

  • Wilfredo Concepcion, majoring in Data Science responded, “As a consulting ambassador for RCC, I’m thankful to have joined at the start of my SJSU journey because I will get more exposure to Data Science, and it inspires me to continue to keep growing and getting outside of my comfort zone by collaborating with a diverse team and nonprofits. I’m looking forward to growing RCC as much as I can and leaving a lasting legacy.”

  • Lastly, student ambassador Gael Gil, studying Applied Math with a Computer Science minor, stated, “It is equally important that we educate people to build technology for good and to keep in mind the possible negative impacts it can have on society or the world at large. This club means a lot to me because there is nothing like this on campus. This club starting means that we are now beginning to talk about these issues in stem and more people can become aware.”

We are game changers, helping to shape the ambassador program and encouraging students to take control of their digital lives. Collaboration is key to responsible computing, so we're also reaching out to other clubs across campus to explore how we can align our goals and make our mission theirs too! As RCC ambassadors, we believe in leading by example as we intend to grow this movement to other university campuses as well.

If you are a student interested in launching a responsible computing club at your campus, please share your interest here.

For more information and to keep up with the Responsible Computing Club, you can find us on the following platforms:

Email: [email protected]

A group of students pose for a picture
Responsible Computing Club ambassadors strike a pose in front of the Student Union. Credit: Seth Heller