23 Aug How to harness AI’s potential in research — responsibly and ethically

By Jane Palmer, nature

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) offers immense potential for scientific advancements, but it also raises ethical concerns. AI systems can analyze vast data sets, detect patterns, optimize resource use and generate hypotheses. And they have the potential to help address global challenges including climate change, food security and diseases. However, the use of AI also raises questions related to fairness, bias and discrimination, transparency, accountability and privacy. Image-generating AI programs can perpetuate and amplify biases, such as associating the word ‘Africa’ with poverty, or ‘poor’ with dark skin tones. And some technology giants fail to disclose important information about their systems, hindering users’ efforts towards accountability.

Four researchers from different countries give their perspectives on the significant promise and pitfalls of AI used in scientific research. They discuss the need for data sets that accurately represent populations in their entirety, and the importance of understanding the limitations of AI tools. Experts from Africa caution that AI systems should benefit all, and not further increase inequities between richer and poorer countries. Read more…