Our Story

Our work in tech ethics started in Hong Kong in 2022, branching off our previous expertise in character education & applied ethics.

Examining the current state of the world, where non-stop profit appeared to motivate nearly every activity and enterprise, we wondered where the time was for things that couldn’t be 100% measured: things that tech business needed, like perspective, respect, good judgment and purpose, to name just a few.  

We wanted to bring the best of ethical reasoning and wisdom - based on two millenia of human history - to join the pragmatism of modern business in the most rapidly evolving field affecting human experience.

Recognising the need for interdisciplinary thinking in the tech ethics space, we are a social enterprise composed of professionals from a range of fields pertinent to tech ethics who can effectively identify and address complex ethical problems within the digital and tech space.

Mission

To empower upcoming generations to leverage technology to pursue their own flourishing, self-determination and ethical ends.

Vision

A world where cyber ethics are actively practiced in individual thinking and everyday decision-making.

Our Team at a Glance

Meet the Team

  • Dr. Andrew Chien

    ACADEMIC ADVISOR

    William Eckhardt Distinguished Service Professor, Department of Computer Science, University of Chicago; Director, CERES Center for Unstoppable Computing; Senior Computer Scientist, Argonne National Laboratory; Editor in Chief, Communications of the ACM

  • Beatrix Smith

    ADVISOR (CHILD SAFETY & WELL-BEING)

    Teacher, British Council Hong Kong; Ambassador & Mental Health Advocate, Mind HK; M. Soc. Sc. in Counselling, Hong Kong University (HKU)

  • Clarissa McVey

    ADVISOR

    GREAT Programme & GCF Lead for Asia Pacific & China, British Consulate-General Hong Kong

  • Dr. John Goldsmith

    ACADEMIC ADVISOR

    Edward Carson Waller Distinguished Service Professor, Departments of Linguistics and Computer Science, University of Chicago

  • Mila Devenport

    FOUNDER

    Mila sees ethics as a tool for structural change. She believes strengthening the basics of human values is the surest path to success at both personal and societal levels.

    Prior to starting Kigumi Group, Mila co-designed "The Unlimited," a inclusive employment programme at United Overseas Bank (UOB) Singapore; and was part of the founding team of The Asian Women's Leadership University College (AWLUC).

    Mila received her B.A. in Philosophy from Mount Holyoke College; her M.A. in Character Education from the University of Birmingham, completing her dissertation on ethical reasoning practices (phronesis) amongst tech professionals; and is a certified ethics assessor for autonomous intelligent systems (AIS) by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

  • Rilly Chen

    ADVISOR

    Rilly is a bi-cultural tech operator, investor and fintech enthusiast. Having lived and worked across China, Southeast Asia (SEA) and the UK, she built her career in finance, ecommerce and tech. Rilly spent the first 4 years of her career building ecommerce companies in SEA, and the next 5 at Alibaba Group across its international expansion and investment departments.

    During her time with the international investment team, she served as a board observer to several digital wallet and leading payment companies, advising CEOs and management team on a wide range of topic (GTM, product roadmap, organizational design).

    In her spare time, she enjoys reading up on psychology, human potential and meditation.