TechEthics is delighted to announce two significant milestones: the addition of a new Director to its leadership team and its formal incorporation as a company in the Republic of Ireland.
A new Director¶
TechEthics has welcomed John Peto as a new Director of the organisation. John brings extensive experience in social innovation, human-rights centred education, and community development, and will play a key advisory role in shaping TechEthics’ strategic direction, governance, and engagement with public and international stakeholders.
“Welcoming John to our team is an important step as we continue to scale our work across Europe. His wealth of expertise complements our existing team and strengthens our capacity to support organisations, policymakers, and researchers in navigating the complex ethical challenges of emerging technologies, especially in post-conflict societies.”
— Sophia Devlin, Chief Executive Officer, TechEthics
John is an experienced and driven leader in creative education, social innovation, and community development, with almost three decades of experience shaping programmes that make a real difference in people’s lives.
Currently Operations Manager for Innovation and Learning at the multi-award-winning Donegal social enterprise Spraoi agus Spórt, John previously played a key role in the growth and impact of Derry’s Nerve Centre over twenty-five years, where he led large teams and helped deliver some of Europe’s most highly regarded creative learning programmes in film and creative technologies, pioneering new approaches in STEAM — arts-led STEM learning.
John is deeply committed to widening access to opportunity, particularly for those facing social and economic challenges. His work brings together creativity, technology, and education, using creative skills and emerging digital tools to empower individuals and communities. He has built strong partnerships with organisations ranging from local community groups to global philanthropy, including universities and government agencies.
A graduate of Ulster University’s Master’s programme in Peace and Conflict Studies, John has developed inclusive human rights-based curriculum programmes for the Iraqi and Lebanese Ministries of Education, and has worked as an international expert on conflict education in the classroom, drawing on extensive experience of programme design and delivery around the Northern Ireland conflict for schools and communities across the UK and Ireland.
John has extensive governance experience across the community and voluntary sector, advocating for social inclusion, youth development, and innovation. His experience at Board and Executive level includes the Building Change Trust and a range of inclusion and youth-focused charities in Northern Ireland; he is currently a member of the Libraries NI Board. John is also an IFTA award-winning documentary maker and a committed volunteer, reflecting his belief in creativity and connection as powerful drivers of change.
Incorporation in the Republic of Ireland¶
In parallel, TechEthics confirms that it is now officially incorporated in the Republic of Ireland. This legal status enables the organisation to engage more fully with European public-sector actors, participate in EU-funded programmes, and collaborate as an eligible entity in Horizon Europe and related initiatives.
“As a newly incorporated Irish company, TechEthics is now open to participating in EU and Horizon activities, partnering with academic and public institutions across Europe, and contributing to policy work at the intersection of technology, human rights, and governance.”
— Professor Brandon Hamber, Chief Information Officer, TechEthics
TechEthics continues to focus on:
- Supporting the design and implementation of rights-centred AI and technology governance frameworks;
- Building capacity for organisations and public bodies to address technology-related risks and human rights impacts;
- Facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and civil society; and
- Contributing to evidence-based policy development at national, EU, and international levels.
We invite our followers to join us in welcoming John to the team, and we encourage potential partners, funders, and collaborators across the EU and beyond to get in contact to explore opportunities for joint projects, consultations, and research initiatives.
About TechEthics
TechEthics is dedicated to promoting responsible innovation and ethical governance of technology. With a focus on AI, data governance, and human rights, TechEthics works with public authorities, NGOs, research institutions, and civil society to develop practical frameworks, policy advice, and collaborative programmes that align technological progress with democratic values and human rights. Meet the full team on our leadership page.
