Ethical AI governance: mapping a research ecosystem
Abstract How do we assess the positive and negative impacts of research about- or research that employs artificial intelligence (AI), and how adequate are existing research governance frameworks for these ends? That concern has seen significant recent attention, with various calls for change, and a plethora of emerging guideline documents across sectors. However, it is not clear what kinds of issues are expressed in research ethics with or on AI at present, nor how resources are drawn on in this process to support the navigation of ethical issues. Research Ethics Committees (RECs) have a well-established history in ethics governance, but there have been concerns about their capacity to adequately govern AI research. However, no study to date has examined the ways that AI-related projects engage with the ethics ecosystem, or its adequacy for this context. This paper analysed a single institution’s ethics applications for research related to AI, applying a socio-material lens t
Abstract How do we assess the positive and negative impacts of research about- or research that employs artificial intelligence (AI), and how adequate are existing research governance frameworks for these ends? That concern has seen significant recent attention, with various calls for change, and a plethora of emerging guideline documents across sectors. However, it is not clear what kinds of issues are expressed in research ethics with or on AI at present, nor how resources are drawn on in this process to support the navigation of ethical issues. Research Ethics Committees (RECs) have a well-established history in ethics governance, but there have been concerns about their capacity to adequately govern AI research. However, no study to date has examined the ways that AI-related projects engage with the ethics ecosystem, or its adequacy for this context. This paper analysed a single institution’s ethics applications for research related to AI, applying a socio-material lens to their analysis. Our novel methodology provides an approach to understanding ethics ecosystems across institutions. Our results suggest that existing REC models can effectively support consideration of ethical issues in AI research, we thus propose that any new materials should be embedded in this existing well-established ecosystem.
Executive Summary
The article 'Ethical AI governance: mapping a research ecosystem' explores the adequacy of existing research governance frameworks in assessing the impacts of AI-related research. It highlights the emergence of various guidelines across sectors but notes a lack of clarity on the types of ethical issues currently addressed in AI research. The study analyzes ethics applications for AI-related projects at a single institution using a socio-material lens, proposing that existing Research Ethics Committee (REC) models can effectively support ethical considerations in AI research. The authors suggest embedding new materials within the established REC ecosystem rather than creating new frameworks.
Key Points
- ▸ Assessment of existing governance frameworks for AI research impacts
- ▸ Emergence of various guidelines but lack of clarity on ethical issues
- ▸ Analysis of ethics applications at a single institution using a socio-material lens
- ▸ Proposal to embed new materials within the existing REC ecosystem
Merits
Comprehensive Analysis
The study provides a detailed analysis of ethics applications for AI-related projects, offering a novel methodology for understanding ethics ecosystems across institutions.
Practical Recommendations
The authors propose practical recommendations for integrating new ethical considerations into existing REC models, which could enhance the governance of AI research.
Demerits
Single Institution Focus
The study is limited to a single institution, which may not fully represent the broader landscape of AI research ethics governance.
Methodological Limitations
The socio-material lens, while novel, may not capture all aspects of ethical considerations in AI research, potentially limiting the generalizability of the findings.
Expert Commentary
The article 'Ethical AI governance: mapping a research ecosystem' provides a timely and insightful analysis of the ethical considerations in AI research. The authors' proposal to embed new materials within the existing REC ecosystem is a pragmatic approach that leverages well-established governance structures. However, the study's focus on a single institution limits its generalizability. Future research should expand the analysis to multiple institutions to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the ethical issues in AI research. Additionally, the socio-material lens, while innovative, may not capture all ethical nuances, suggesting the need for a more holistic methodological approach. Overall, the article contributes valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on AI ethics and governance, offering practical recommendations that could enhance the ethical oversight of AI research.
Recommendations
- ✓ Expand the analysis to include multiple institutions to validate the findings and enhance generalizability
- ✓ Explore additional methodological approaches to capture a broader range of ethical considerations in AI research