Training the Next Generation of LeadersHow ‘Moral Morpheus’ fosters responsible innovation by gamifying digital ethics

(This article concerns a project run by a team of members of The Nippon Foundation Scholars Association, led by Satyam Mohla, in cooperation with the Foundation.)

As the pace of technological advancement continues to accelerate, global societies are grappling with a disquieting truth: while technology offers unprecedented opportunities for economic, social, and environmental progress, it can also present significant ethical challenges. These challenges of zeitgeist—ranging from data privacy concerns to environmental degradation—demand new ways of thinking. Nowhere is this more evident than in the use of digital technologies which continue to reshape every facet of human life, but have the potential to devastate when applied without consideration for local realities, cultures, communities and worldviews. In this complex landscape, traditional approaches to ethics and governance struggle to keep pace.

Moral Morpheus Game
Moral Morpheus Game

The impulse to lend a hand is inherently human, rooted in morality & empathy to contribute to the well-being of others. However, once the decision to help is made, those in charge are confronted with a complex range of ethical nuances, such as determining which groups to assist and how to offer support without fostering dependency. This lack of awareness between intent and impact has long plagued countless social impact initiatives and philanthropic ventures, often leading to unintended and inadvertent harm, despite their good intentions.

This is a challenge that we at The Nippon Foundation tackle head-on, and are delighted to partner with Satyam Mohla, a Nippon Foundation Fellow and NSIC Grant Awardee as he creates Moral Morpheus, a project that gamifies the complexities of digital ethics to foster responsible innovation.

Moral Morpheus invites players to engage in critical discourse & design thinking by presenting scenarios, such as the use of robotics in healthcare, and prompting them to choose between two distinct solutions while considering diverse worldviews and economic conditions. Participants must decide: Should they apply a similar technology in their own context, knowing the potential benefits and risks? Through this interactive process, participants actively discuss & explore the complexities of digital ethics, developing the critical thinking and decision-making skills essential for fostering responsible innovation in the future.

Training a Generation of Responsible Leaders of Tomorrow

Satyam’s ambition is bold and far-reaching: he aims to empower a million future leaders equipped to navigate the challenges and ethical questions surrounding emerging technologies. As part of this effort, he integrated Moral Morpheus pedagogy into an innovation toolkit, which has already been used for “Design the Future” workshop with forty Indian and Japanese social entrepreneurs at the Japan-India Transformative Technology Peace & Justice Program at Salzburg Global Seminar, Austria. The toolkit, now a resource for social impact leaders, will also be used to teach systems thinking and design thinking, allowing small, diverse groups of 4-8 participants to harness their collective experiences and leadership insights to collaboratively address complex challenges and drive meaningful impact. The toolkit and game are already being introduced in Indian schools, with plans to expand to Japan and beyond.

Satyam Mohla, Creator of Moral Morpheus
Satyam Mohla, Creator of Moral Morpheus

“As we shape the technologies of tomorrow, the responsibility lies with us to ensure they serve humanity in inclusive ways. By integrating design thinking and reflective innovation, we aim to equip future leaders with the tools they need to make thoughtful, impactful decisions that respect cultural contexts and drive sustainable progress”, said Satyam.

Moral Morpheus has already garnered international recognition, winning the DNA 2024 Paris Design Award in the “Design for People” category. The Nippon Foundation is proud to be associated with this initiative, which we hope will create a generation of leaders who are thoughtful, empathetic, and capable of deliver solutions that empower communities they serve.