Embedded Ethicist
An advisory retainer for teams who understand that ethics is not a checklist, but a practice.
Overview
True instruction requires consistency. The Embedded Ethicist service is for organizations that want to weave ethical foresight into the fabric of their daily operations. Rather than acting as an external auditor who arrives only when things go wrong, I join your team as a steady partner. I am available to attend sprint planning, review PRDs, and hold office hours, ensuring that ethical considerations are raised while the cement is still wet, not after it has hardened.
What You Get
- Continuous Guidance: I become a familiar context-aware resource for your team, understanding your specific technical constraints and business goals.
- Real-time Intervention: We catch potential harms—bias, privacy leaks, exclusionary design—in the design phase, saving costly pivots later.
- Cultural Osmosis: Over time, your team adopts the language and habits of ethical thinking, eventually needing me less and less.
Format & Duration
Duration: Minimum 3-month retainer
Format: Async support + Weekly/Bi-weekly Syncs
Best For
This service is ideal for:
- AI/ML teams deploying models with significant societal impact.
- Growth-stage companies scaling their user base (and thus their liability surface).
- Organizations undergoing a digital transformation who want to "do it right" this time.
Process
- Immersion — I spend the first two weeks reading your documentation and listening to your team to understand your "local dialiect."
- Integration — We identify the critical touchpoints in your workflow (e.g., design review, weekly standup) where my presence adds the most value.
- Iteration — We work in cycles, constantly refining our approach as your product—and the world around it—changes.
Investment
Monthly Retainer: Scoped based on team size and expected availability.