Karin Grasenick Do we care? There is rarely a person met stating “I don’t care about equal opportunities and fairness. And I do not think this has any relevance for science or scientific outcomes.” When talking to scientists most of them will emphasise their commitment to ensure equal opportunities in science regardless of gender. They…
‘Beyond Research Ethics: Dialogues in Neuro-ICT Research’ is the title of a recent article (Stahl et al 2019) published by the members of Ethics Support team of the Human Brain Project (HBP). This article outlines a dialogical approach that the Ethics Support team applies in its work in the HBP. This approach offers an alternative…
Tonii Leach How do AI algorithms make decisions? Why might we need to understand this, and to what extent do we need to understand this? How can we conceptualise ‘explainable’ AI? And when we ask for an explanation, what is it that we really want to know? On the 27th of February Dr Brent Mittelstadt…
How and why the highly regarded HBP’s Ethics Advisory Board (EAB) was established? What its main achievement are? And what the future holds for the EAB? Our Question and Answer series with Ethics Support task leaders continues with Shamim Patel, task leader for the Ethics Advisory Board and Other Ethics Services. What is the Ethics Advisory Board…
Neurotechnology as many other powerful technologies can potentially be ‘dual use’ technology, namely it can be used for beneficial as well as harmful purposes. How can we ensure that neuroscience and technology developed for civilian applications is not misused towards malicious ends? What can researchers, engineers, policy-makers and other stakeholders do to safeguard responsible use…
Why does the Human Brain Project (HBP) need a Data Protection Officer and what are the main challenges for this role? Our Questions and Answers series with Ethics Support task leaders continues with Data Protection Officer Kevin McGillivray. Q1: What are the aims of Data Protection Officer (DPO)? A DPO is a professional in the…
How does the Ethics Rapporteur Programme in the Human Brain Project (HBP) work? What are its main achievements and future challenges? Our Question and Answer series with Ethics Support task leaders continues with Dr. Manuel Guerrero, task leader for the Ethics Rapporteur Programme. Q1: What are the aims of the Ethics Rapporteur Programme? The Ethics…
How do we make scientists and engineers aware of societal and ethical issues? And how do we engage diverse publics with the latest developments in future and emerging technologies? What challenges do we face and what can we learn from such engagements? These were guiding questions for the panel ‘Engaging with emerging technologies: representation, responsibility…
Winter-Gladys Wanjiku and Inga Ulnicane The 2nd Human Brain Project (HBP) Curriculum Workshop ‘Research, ethics & societal impact. Dual use and responsible research: ethical challenges’ took place at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm from the 14th to the 17th of November 2018. This workshop showcased the interdisciplinary nature of not only the HBP itself, but…
Tonii Leach As the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) develops at an exponential rate, and technology becomes ever more integrated into our lives, it is imperative that the ethics of the convergence of these subjects is considered. Whilst the possibility of the development of a general superintelligence seems remote, consideration of the ethical implications of…
