Eticas Foundation

Eticas Foundation is an independent non-profit based in Barcelona, founded in 2012 by Gemma Galdon Clavell as one of the first global R&D organisations to focus on technology accountability from a socio-technical perspective. In 2023 Eticas expanded with a non-profit arm working directly with local communities and opened a US office.

The foundation's mission is to investigate the real-world impact of artificial intelligence systems, build knowledge and power with communities affected by those systems, and then challenge and reinvent the technology transforming everyday life. Eticas operates at the intersection of technical audits, social research, policy advisory and strategic litigation.

The organisation pursues three main lines of work: (1) Investigation and auditing — conducting quantitative and qualitative audits of AI systems, including predictive policing systems, social welfare decision algorithms and recruitment tools; (2) Measurement — developing standards and measurement methods for AI systems grounded in audit findings; (3) Field-building — training, partnering with thought leaders, technologists, policymakers and advocates.

Eticas is particularly known for pioneering the methodology of community-led AI audits — an approach in which the affected communities themselves are active participants in the audit process.