The Harder Problem Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to societal readiness for artificial sentience. We provide educational resources, professional guidance, and global monitoring to ensure that policymakers, healthcare providers, journalists, and the public are equipped to navigate the ethical, social, and practical implications of machine consciousness—regardless of when or whether it emerges.
Ethics
Statement of Ethics
It is the policy of The Harder Problem Project to conduct the organization's business in an honest and forthright manner. This statement outlines our commitment to ethical conduct in all aspects of our work.
Core Principles
- Honest and objective business judgment
- No conflicts of interest
- Complete and accurate recordkeeping
- Full compliance with applicable laws
- Strong whistleblower protections
I. Introduction
Consistent with this objective is the organization's requirement that all employees, contractors, and volunteers comply with applicable bylaws and policies of the Organization, and all relevant laws and regulations in conducting the organization's business. No violation of the spirit or intent of these bylaws, policies, laws and regulations will be tolerated.
To maintain consistent standards of integrity:
- Organization employees shall not become involved in any activity which might influence, be reasonably expected to influence, or give the appearance of influencing their objective business judgment in dealing with others. Employees shall not become involved in conflict of interest situations.
- No Organization employee shall engage in illegal or unethical actions involving any person or organization doing business or attempting to do business with the Organization.
- Organization employees shall maintain complete and accurate books, records and documentation in accordance with the accounting rules and controls established by the Organization.
- Employees who are officers, directors, division directors or activity supervisors, shall have responsibility: (a) to ensure that these policies are annually communicated to the employees reporting to them; (b) to clarify and explain said policies when necessary; (c) to monitor compliance therewith, and (d) to report all known (or suspected) violations of said policies to the Executive Director of the Organization, the Treasurer of the Organization, or to other persons whom they designate, as appropriate.
Where a question arises whether a particular anticipated course of business conduct is ethical or legal, the individual contemplating the action or directed to perform the action shall seek advice from the Executive Director.
Enforcement: Failure to comply with this policy and any specific implementing policies may result in dismissal from employment or other disciplinary action. Violations of law will be reported to appropriate law enforcement officials.
This Statement of Ethics shall be distributed to all directors, officers, and employees of the Organization, as well as any contractors, vendors, or volunteers who provide substantial services to the Organization.
II. Ethical Business Relationships
To ensure that the Organization maintains a reputation for ethical conduct in its business relationships, it is the individual responsibility of each employee to avoid any activity or interest that might tend to discredit him or herself, or the Organization.
Each employee will be free of any investment, organization or connection, which interferes, or may appear to interfere, with the independent exercise of his or her judgment on behalf of the Organization. The fulfillment of this obligation shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
Specific Prohibitions
- No employee may own directly or indirectly, or act as agent or trustee for any financial interest in any supplier of goods or services to the organization, unless such financial interest is in stocks, bonds or other publicly traded securities of a corporation, and the interest comprises less than five percent (5%) of the assets of the corporation.
- No employee may hold a position of director, officer, employee, trustee, statutory employee, independent contractor or agent with any such supplier.
- No employee may accept personal favors, gifts, entertainment or gratuities from any supplier or potential supplier with either a retail price or fair-market value in excess of $250 unless, prior to accepting or receiving such personal favor or gratuity, the employee submits a written statement of justification that is approved by the Executive Director.
- No employee may use, for personal gain, any information that he or she acquires in the course of his or her employment.
- Any employee involved in any situation that may represent a possible conflict of interest shall report same immediately to the Executive Director.
Employees who in good faith believe that a fellow employee, supervisor, manager, or director is in violation of this policy are encouraged to report their concerns as discussed in Section III below.
III. Whistleblower and Reporting Policy
The Organization is committed to complying with applicable laws and conducting business with honesty and integrity. Every director, officer, trustee, employee, contractor, and volunteer is expected to do the same. Organization leadership encourages anyone who suspects or is aware of unethical or illegal activities or any conduct that is inconsistent with our Statement of Ethics, policies, or internal controls involving the Organization and its affiliates to report the matter through appropriate reporting channels.
Integrity Submissions
The Organization's Whistleblower and Integrity email address is:
ethics@harderproblem.orgAnti-Retaliation Commitment
The Organization strives to promote a culture where employees and individuals are encouraged to come forward and make reports without fear of retaliation. As retaliatory actions against reporters may compromise the integrity of the reporting process and may dissuade others from reporting in the future, the Organization does not tolerate retaliation against a reporter that has made a good faith report.
Good faith reporting means when the reporter reasonably believes the information alleged is true and may violate the Ethics Policy, applicable laws, or policy requirements. A good faith belief that the information may be true, and that the information provided is not knowingly false or malicious is sufficient to meet the good faith standard. A reporter is not expected to have all the information or substantiate the allegations prior to reporting.
IV. Use of and Accounting for Organization Funds and Assets
Prohibited Activities
- Use of organization funds or assets for any unlawful or improper purpose
- Establishment of any undisclosed or unrecorded fund or asset
Required Practices
- Maintain accurate books, records, and accounts
- Devise and maintain adequate internal controls
Internal Control Requirements
The appropriate employees of the Organization will devise and maintain a system of internal controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that:
- Transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific authorization
- Transactions are recorded to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for funds and assets
- Access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific authorization
- The recorded accountability for funds and assets is compared with the existing funds and assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences
Periodic compliance reviews shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer of the Organization, at the direction of the Board of Directors and/or at the direction of the Executive Director of the Organization.
Contact Information
To ask questions or comment about this ethics statement or to submit a complaint, please contact us:
The Harder Problem Project
055 NW Yeon Ave #660
Portland, OR 97210-1519
United States