Ethical Issues Research Articles

AI and memes: Across the boundaries

Memes have become one of the most popular cultures encapsulated by digital artifacts across digital spaces of all kinds. Users can create memes by themselves but can also use online services or tools. Among these, AI tools are popularly used because they can quickly generate creative memes by exploring vast stores of preexisting resources. Depending on the configurations of their algorithms and storehouses of resources, different AI meme generators can create different memes with the same prompt; further, the same generator can create different memes at different times with the same prompt. In addition, AI-generated memes may include controversial content through images and captions or other components, unanticipated by the writer of the prompt. In this study, we will examine several AI meme generators by creating memes using identical prompts and a series of prompts and compare the outputs, with a focus on cross-world ethical issues through the theoretical lens of information domains (Burnett, 2015; Burnett & Burnett, 2019). The results will provide insights into learning, meme generation, and ethical issues related to the use of AI tools.

Ethical and Methodological Considerations in LGBTQ-focused Online Ethnography: A Proposal of a Systematic Review

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people constitute a vulnerable population that requires research about their needs, representations, and challenges. Among the variant research methods, ethnography is particularly effective in understanding participants and their lived experience. The development of information and communication technologies has transformed traditional ethnography research and contributed to the emergence of online ethnography research that holds potential for studying vulnerable populations (e.g., LGBTQ people) and relevant topics. We propose a systematic review to explore how researchers have considered and addressed ethical and methodological issues in LGBTQ-focused online ethnography research. We used the core collection of the Web of Science to search for relevant literature. We crafted the search query based on studies of LGBTQ populations, online ethnography studies, and other data sources like the Homosaurus vocabulary. Two groups of search terms were compiled and used in combination, including population-related terms (e.g., “queer”, “LGB*”, “GLB*”, and “sexual minorit*”) and method-related terms (e.g., “online ethnograph*”, “netnograph*”, “digital ethnograph*”, and “virtual ethnograph*”). In this review, we focus on empirical journal articles using any type or variant of online ethnography to investigate LGBTQ-focused topics. The eligible articles may include LGBTQ people as participants or stakeholders (e.g., LGBTQ staff), or analyze LGBTQ-related content (e.g., YouTube videos). Most importantly, we will analyze the ethical concerns (e.g., informed consent, power imbalance, cultural sensitivity, and beneficence and justice) and methodological aspects (e.g., research design, sampling, recruitment, data collection, data analysis, and roles of LGBTQ people) of these studies.

"What can I know? Where can I go? What can I be?"

Co-sponsored by the Information Policy and Information Ethics special interest groups (SIGs), this proposal is for a pair of 90-minute speaker panels, facilitated by the respective SIG convenors and supporting interlocutors, which will draw on concepts of Habermas's ideal speech and public discourse. We begin with the premise that there are multiple theoretical lenses through which to critique increasingly hostile proposals of law and/or policies that limit bodily sovereignty and speech/intellectual freedom. Such polices can be understood as attempts to organize historically marginalized bodies in both physical and digital realms (e.g., through restrictions on access to knowledge, or production of dis/mal information, etc.). Thus, challenges that limit access to spaces and knowledge (focusing libraries and education) demonstrate a need to counter the breakdown of "ideal speech" within a pluralistic society that is free of coercion (Habermas, 1985) while acknowledging the role of identity, positionality, and embodiment with a post-critical lens. This back-to-back SIG session will be comprised of two panels: first, a panel focusing on Information Ethics, which will explore the notion of what is allowed and is not allowed in public and quasi-public physical and virtual spaces; and second, a panel focusing on Information Policy, which examines how conflicts in ethics are manifest in policies that determine or exert limitations on discourse in public spaces, focusing on libraries and educational spaces. Together, the panels will demonstrate theoretical and practical departure points that can be applied in a wide range of LIS/IS educational contexts. The first co-sponsored panel explores how identity and embodiment are linked, as embodied knowledge can be understood as identity expressions, whether enacted through affordances or limitations to exercise autonomy and that which a society and community construct for it, e.g., gender affirming and reproductive care, expressions of sexuality, and the racialized body. Professional identity, which is the identity transposed into and developed within a profession, can impact understanding of affiliation with a profession and behaviour within it (e.g., Pierson, 2023). This first co-sponsored panel will focus on the guiding question: How do we prepare students to navigate the complex realities of identity, embodiment, and professional ethical imperatives to maintain the library as a commons for ideal speech and public discourse? The second co-sponsored panel pivots attention to laws and policies that limit public speech and discourse. Limitations on expression can be considered an act of symbolic violence (Bourdieu and Passeron, 1990), designed to subordinate certain bodies, ideas, identities, etc. However, policy-makers are tasked with governing public spaces to balance the rights of individuals with the collective. When (if ever) is it acceptable to create policies that limit speech or peoples’ right to express themselves in public spaces? How might policies be developed, and what do policies look like, that take into account and respect individuals’ rights and create a collective space where all bodies are able to flourish? Both discussions will be supported by co-convenor and interlocutors representing both North American and international voices, prompting organic discussion in the tradition of the commons and public discourse.

The Role of AI in Shaping Our Future: Super-Exponential Growth, Galactic Civilization, and Doom

The present study investigates the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future trajectory of human civilization. It focuses on topics such as super-exponential growth, the potential emergence of a galactic civilization, and the associated "doom" hazards. A significant advancement in machine intelligence with human-like consciousness, strong artificial intelligence (AI), also known as artificial general intelligence (AGI), creates new opportunities and capacities. There's growing anxiety about the risk that weak AI will eventually become strong AI. Every year, new transformer models that are more like human interactions are being created, and we have already witnessed some indications of AGI. It is anticipated that AI will reach a "singularity" and advance on its own without assistance from humans. This thesis explores the theoretical and practical foundations, model building blocks, development processes, challenges, and ethical issues surrounding the creation of Consciousness AI (AGI). This paper examines the meaning of the term "technological singularity," the various types of singularities that have no point of return idea, the philosophical risks associated with the development of AI, and the implications of AI singularity for monetary theory and the new economic order. As a new perspective on the deployment of ethical AI in the face of tremendous technological advancements, the study not only contributes to the theoretical discourse but also explores the possible practical implications of AI on our shared future. Several obstacles to AI advancement are covered in the paper, along with prospective directions for future research.

AI for chemistry teaching: responsible AI and ethical considerations

Abstract This paper discusses the ethical considerations surrounding generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in chemistry education, aiming to guide teachers toward responsible AI integration. GenAI, driven by advanced AI models like Large Language Models, has shown substantial potential in generating educational content. However, this technology’s rapid rise has brought forth ethical concerns regarding general and educational use that require careful attention from educators. The UNESCO framework on GenAI in education provides a comprehensive guide to controversies around generative AI and ethical educational considerations, emphasizing human agency, inclusion, equity, and cultural diversity. Ethical issues include digital poverty, lack of national regulatory adaptation, use of content without consent, unexplainable models used to generate outputs, AI-generated content polluting the internet, lack of understanding of the real world, reducing diversity of opinions, and further marginalizing already marginalized voices and generating deep fakes. The paper delves into these eight controversies, presenting relevant examples from chemistry education to stress the need to evaluate AI-generated content critically. The paper emphasizes the importance of relating these considerations to chemistry teachers’ content and pedagogical knowledge and argues that responsible AI usage in education must integrate these insights to prevent the propagation of biases and inaccuracies. The conclusion stresses the necessity for comprehensive teacher training to effectively and ethically employ GenAI in educational practices.

Are we ready? Generative AI and the LIS curriculum

The US Department of Education’s 2023 report highlights the importance of AI literacy for educators and other stakeholders (Cardona, Rodriguez & Ishmael, 2023). Analyzing this report, Lo (2023) notes that “for librarians, AI literacy could involve understanding how AI tools work, how they can be used to enhance library services, and how to navigate potential ethical issues related to AI” (p. 2). Southworth et al (2023) observe that technical aspects of AI are covered in the traditional STEM curricula but are largely absent outside of it. While there are efforts currently to provide education and training opportunities for librarians in addressing AI in their work, as well as literature that talks about how AI will impact various aspects of work in libraries, few have touched on the need for curriculum development to effectively address such disruptive technologies by identifying the competencies or threshold concepts that will be affected by them. The ubiquitous impact of AI has included applications in medical research as well as law, design, economics, and humanities, to name just a few. Agile practice and improved dissemination of best practices are called for, moving forward. How should LIS curriculum address AI and related issues to prepare future librarians and information professionals? This poster covers an in-progress scoping review of literature and a content analysis of the publicly available course descriptions of ALA accredited LIS programs, as well as their current mission statements and objectives to provide a snapshot of extant integration of this new and challenging technology.

Nourishing Connections: Fostering Collaboration on Food Ethics Through Art

This paper explores collaborative workshops conducted at the International Socially Engaged Art Symposium (ISEAS), concentrating on the convergence of art and science in the realm of food values and ethics. With 20 artists and scientists participating, ISEAS employed arts-based methods to investigate food-related themes within diverse communities. One team, comprising three artists and a food ethics researcher, collaborated with 17 secondary school students in Seinäjoki (Finland). Their three-day event utilised various arts-based methods to address food ethics issues, such as availability, equity, sustainability, norms, and food justice. Integrating scientific and artistic knowledge, the study showcases the effectiveness of conversational art-making, revealing the role of art and science in fostering awareness of ethical dimensions in food production and consumption. The study highlights the potential of conversational art as a potent tool in community projects, as it facilitates dialogue on challenging topics beyond verbal communication. The paper underscores how art and science can collectively engage communities by encouraging transformative thinking and action.

A sociotechnical history of an AI video chatbot: Mapping AI chatbot innovation trajectory for information policy design

This study traces the patent citation network of U.S. Patent 11,107,465 Natural Conversation Storytelling System (Gustman et al, 2021) to map the innovation trajectory of AI Chatbots. This patented AI video chatbot enables the reanimation or digital resurrection of humans in video form. As GLAMs continue to experiment with new technologies such as historical figure chatbots to increase engagement through gamification and empathy, a critical examination of technologies that are designed to appear human-like is warranted as they often skirt credibility, accuracy, and likely insert bias. Furthermore, the rise of generative AI tools and the propensity for producing hallucinations (Christensen et al, 2024) increases ethical issues for the implications on humans and truth (Ranalli, 2022; Stahl and Eke, 2024). Patent citation network analysis is frequently conducted as a competitive strategy for mapping the trajectory of technological development and patented inventions (Érdi et al, 2013; Jain et al, 2020). Drawing from this method, innovation trajectory routes or pathways will be traced through the patent citations to identify the most prominent or critical patents in the AI video chatbot innovation trajectory and analyze which features of technical innovation are retained across its pathway. These methods are frequently utilized to understand changes, patterns, and development in innovation to predict economically viable futures and can be utilized to predict the needs for information policy (Frohmann, 1995) by understanding the implications asymmetrical power on society.

Knowledge and Awareness on Swine Origin Influenza A(H1N1) Among Health Care Providers and Civil Employees in a Tertiary Level Hospital, Dhaka Bangladesh

Background: Swine Origin Influenza A(H1N1) viruses create yearly epidemics and rarely pandemics that cost millions of lives worldwide. Health care providers and civil employees at hospital can help in prevention of transmission of influenza by acquiring knowledge and awareness. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Combined Military Hospital Dhaka from July to December 2023. Total 213 participants were interviewed that comprises doctors, nurses, medical assistants and civil employees. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data. Face to face interview was done through a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Informed consent were obtained from the respondents addressing proper ethical issues. Results: In this study out of total participants 70.4% had previously heard about H1N1 influenza A. Total 38% participants said that internet was found as major source of information. Among the participants 64.3% told fever was common symptom and use of facemask at duty hour was consented by 33.8% as an important means for prevention. Maximum (66.3%) civil employees do not know about washing hand after contact as a preventive procedure leading to spread of infection. Maintaining distance as preventive measures observed by 13.6% participants. Moreover, all participants were aware of transmission through droplet infection except civil employees. In the present study, 50% doctors and 38.1% nurses had knowledge that drug Oseltamivir is very effective against swine Influenza A(H1N1). Remarkable differences were identified among doctors, nurses, medical assistants and civil employees regarding knowledge of quarantine and availability of vaccine. RT-PCR laboratory test is the confirmatory method to defect swine influenza A(H1N1) were exactly known by 9.9% participants, while 70.9% participants don't know the confirm diagnostic method. Conclusion: Knowledge and awareness regarding swine influenza A(H1N1) was low among study participants. For controlling epidemic or even pandemic, awareness by mass media is important. Remarkable gap observed regarding knowledge and awareness about swine influenza A(H1N1) among the health care providers and civil employees, needs to be addressed by proper training and motivation. Bangladesh Armed Forces Med J Vol 57 No (1) June 2024, pp 1-7

Teaching and Learning in an AI-powered world

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used, education is undergoing profound transformations, as AI inevitably changes the paradigm of teaching and learning. Teachers have already begun to use AI for student-centred learning, data analysis, or improving assessment through standardized systems provided by AI. Although these new technologies promise efficiency and personalized education, AI is not yet developed enough to truly understand the mechanisms underlying learning. Excessive dependence on technology can reduce the teacher’s role and the importance of human interaction, while certain ethical issues may arise regarding data confidentiality and security. To address these challenges, teachers and decision-makers must carefully integrate AI, emphasizing transparency and ethics, to ensure that technology will indeed have a positive impact on society. This article explores the issues and concerns related to the use of AI in education, also examining the potential disadvantages and fears associated with it and providing an overview of the challenges that teachers face when integrating AI into education.

Ethical Issues that Will Impact Advances and Integrity of Progress and Innovations

Ethical Issues that Will Impact Advances and Integrity of Progress and Innovations

Progress Achieved, Landmarks, and Future Concerns in Biomedical and Health Informatics.

The biomedical and health informatics (BMHI) fields have been advancing rapidly, a trend particularly emphasised during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, introducing innovations in BMHI. Over nearly 50 years since its establishment as a scientific discipline, BMHI has encountered several challenges, such as mishaps, delays, failures, and moments of enthusiastic expectations and notable successes. This paper focuses on reviewing the progress made in the BMHI discipline, evaluating key milestones, and discussing future challenges. To, Structured, step-by-step qualitative methodology was developed and applied, centred on gathering expert opinions and analysing trends from the literature to provide a comprehensive assessment. Experts and pioneers in the BMHI field were assigned thematic tasks based on the research question, providing critical inputs for the thematic analysis. This led to the identification of five key dimensions used to present the findings in the paper: informatics in biomedicine and healthcare, health data in Informatics, nurses in informatics, education and accreditation in health informatics, and ethical, legal, social, and security issues. Each dimension is examined through recently emerging innovations, linking them directly to the future of healthcare, like the role of artificial intelligence, innovative digital health tools, the expansion of telemedicine, and the use of mobile health apps and wearable devices. The new approach of BMHI covers newly introduced clinical needs and approaches like patient-centric, remote monitoring, and precision medicine clinical approaches. These insights offer clear recommendations for improving education and developing experts to advance future innovations. Notably, this narrative review presents a body of knowledge essential for a deep understanding of the BMHI field from a human-centric perspective and, as such, could serve as a reference point for prospective analysis and innovation development.

SIMULATION TRAINING: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN UKRAINE

The article presents information on the relevance of simulation training in modern medical education. Leading specialists emphasize the need to learn practical and communication skills, be able to work more intensively in a team; they also note that simulation training can significantly contribute to the achievement of these educational goals under present-day conditions. Simulation training, beginning at the undergraduate or graduate level, can help overcome a number of challenges, such as patient safety issues, ethical issues related to the acquisition and development of skills in interacting with real patients, the need to standardize learning experiences, competency assessments, and medical certification, the need for rapid staff adaptation (staff turnover), promotion of high standards of medical care, increasing the scope of the doctor's responsibility. In addition, simulation training makes it possible to practice more or less typical clinical situations with severe consequences, to promote the acquisition of relevant knowledge and skills, to improve technical skills, to practice the provision of medical care by an interdisciplinary team and individually. The experience of the simulation training development in some countries and a brief history of the foundation of the first simulation training centers in Ukraine are presented. The advantages of simulation training, which allow them to be widely used in educational activities are emphasized. The development of a training program is important in the work of the simulation center and is based on the capacity of simulation training and involves practicing technical and non-technical skills in managing certain situations in accordance with the guidelines. Debriefing (discussion) is necessary so that participants can evaluate their actions during training. Thus, simulation training is an effective method for practicing relevant skills and team interaction in doctor training. Team building experiences are offered using the simulation training, the individual characteristics of students that did not appear in traditional classes are revealed, the ability to conduct a discussion, dialogue and draw conclusions is acquired. A compulsory stage in stimulation training should be the assessment process, therefore it is necessary to notice the reaction of the participants, their satisfaction with the process, and the evaluation of the achievement of the tasks set. This will allow to improve the quality of the learning process and learning materials, to make changes in the training program. A questionnaire can be used for this purpose. The participants assess the relevance of the topic, individual levels of the simulation training and offer possible topics to advance the training program, express their wishes regarding the feasibility, frequency and points of further simulation training and the development of new frameworks. Communication skills are particularly important for doctors and can be actively developed in working conditions of our stimulation center. To conduct doctor training, it is optimal to establish simulation centers with experienced staff and a program developed to meet the needs of the rapidly changing medical landscape.

A Javanese Dance is A Representation of Rasa in Javanese Culture

This paper presents the concept of rasa in Javanese culture embodied in Javanese dance. The ethnographic approach in the Ethnochoreology discipline used as a step in data collection was in-depth interviews with actors (dancers, choreographers) in a society with a Javanese cultural scope. The observation step in the data collection effort was carried out using the involved observation model or participant observer, completed by data collection through literature and relevant documents. The theoretical perspective and concept used as the basis for thinking in discussing the case study of the Ela-ela dance in this paper is the concept of rasa, as put forward by Paul Stange. Namely, that rasa is a "tool" or "means" of perception, or a "function" of "whisper of heart or intuition", and rasa in Javanese dance as expressed by Katarina Indah Sulastuti, that rasa in Javanese dance is an element that is integrated with the senses in the body in a comprehensive manner which involves: the sensibility of heart vibrations, sharpness of intuition, imagination, bodily intelligence, and understanding of Javanese culture. Javanese dance, in the example of the case study, the Bedhaya Ela-ela dance is a representation of the rasa in Javanese culture, namely that the Bedhaya Ela-ela dance is a form of dance that substantially depicts the life of the Javanese people and the culture of rasa which involves issues of ethics, aesthetics, and religion in Javanese culture.

Ishāq bin Ali al-Ruhawi, a pioneer in medical professionalism in the 9th century AD.

Professionalism and medical ethics, while similar, are often viewed in different contexts. An historical and social science analysis reveals that professionalism is a complex skill that can be developed over time. The key components of professionalism, as defined by the American Physical Therapy Association, include accountability, altruism, compassion, excellence, integrity, professional duty, and social responsibility. Throughout history, physicians have been concerned with medical ethics and professionalism. In the Golden Age of Islam, principles such as excellence, honour, integrity, accountability, and duty were important in shaping the professional behavior of physicians. Adab al-Tabib, an ancient work, by Ishāq bin Ali al-Ruhawi focuses on ethical guidelines and teachings related to medical ethics in the Islamic civilization. Many of the ethical issues in this book are of foremost importance as components of professionalism. However while the examples of medical ethics guidelines that pre-existed Adab al-Tabib such as the Hippocratic Oath, are not mentioned. As one of the first statutes of medical ethics in Islamic civilization, Ruhawi is a model for many doctors in the Golden Age of Islam, and over the years his principles have greatly influenced the professional view of physicians.

Creating a Multidisciplinary Bioethics Ambassador Program at a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The Ethics Committee at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) developed a Bioethics Ambassador Program (BAP); a yearlong educational program to assist clinical and non-clinical staff develop the skills to identify and address common burgeoning ethical issues that can arise during the provision of care to patients with cancer. The goal was to provide greater awareness of the role and services of Ethics, particularly at the institution's geographically-diverse outpatient care centers and to better-instill a culture of preventative ethics. This article discusses the design and implementation of the first two years of the program and analyzes its strengths, weaknesses, and impact on MSK.

Ethical approach in a posttraumatic stress disorder

Background and objectiveWe will discuss autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice regarding trauma. MethodA review of some papers regarding this subject and our experience nourished from our clinical practice. ResultsRespect of these ethical issues is important in order to improve to promote healing and resilience of subjects suffering from PTSD. ConclusionsEthical issues are important in all psychiatric and psychological issues.

AI Ethics in Journalism (Studies): An Evolving Field Between Research and Practice

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism has sparked complex ethical debates, particularly with the rise of generative AI systems. By now, AI permeates the entire news cycle, from information gathering to news dissemination, raising questions revolving around issues such as transparency, accountability, responsibility, bias, and diversity. Previous research showed that news organizations have slowly approached and adapted to ethical concerns regarding the use of AI, developing critical stances mainly due to rising AI power, growing audience skepticism, and mounting tensions within the industry between news publishers’ strategies and journalists’ anxieties. Consequently, ethical guidelines have started to emerge in news organizations, but their practical application remains challenging and under-studied, not only due to the opacity of AI algorithms, but also due to the difficulties of “embedding” journalistic values into AI systems. In the light of an intensifying discourse about ethical concerns in the news industry and growing efforts by governments and institutions such as the European Union to strengthen AI governance, journalism studies have started to explore the issue as well. However, research on AI ethics is still in its infancy, with significant gaps in understanding the practical enforcement of ethical guidelines within newsrooms, in particular when it comes to the design of AI systems. This essay critically discusses the way journalism (studies) approach ethical issues related to the use and the design of AI systems, given that the responsible use and design of AI systems in journalism is crucial given its integral role for democracy and society.

A Research on the Development Status of Green Finance in China

China's green finance has become one of the important tools to promote sustainable economic development. This review first analyzes the environmental, social and governance (ESG) situation of chemical companies, which are high-energy-consuming and high-pollution companies that mainly use green financial instruments. Carbon emissions and pollutant emissions, safety of employees and surrounding residents, and legal and ethical issues were discussed to illustrate the chemical industries situation. Then, this paper focused on the application of three green finance tools, green financing, green bonds and green insurance in Chinese capital market. Finally, this paper introduces the green financial incentive policies launched by the Chinese government and where the policies still need to be improved. Through the review of the above aspects, this paper concludes that China's green financial development has made significant progress, but it still needs to keep improve green financial products and face the challenges of more applications in other industries.

Rules of engagement: ethical issues and value chain introspection in Artificial Intelligence systems

Rules of engagement: ethical issues and value chain introspection in Artificial Intelligence systems