Integrating ethics into emerging technologies
The way research and innovation are conducted is constantly evolving due to emerging new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), extended reality, genome editing and biobanking. In this context, researchers need to preserve the highest ethical standards in order to maintain public trust in their work. The aim of the EU-funded iRECS project is to address this by developing a robust training programme to prepare a new generation of researchers and ethics experts to anticipate and mitigate ethical issues in emerging technologies effectively. The project, which was launched in October 2022 and runs until September 2025, builds on previous work to create a globalised community of research ethics practitioners. These initiatives include the EU-funded SIENNA, TechEthos and ENERI projects.
Focus on emerging technologies
Based on the initial mapping of the current and forecast needs of ethics experts and researchers around emerging technology, the project focuses on four emerging technology areas. The first area is extended reality, a broad term for technologies that create virtual and simulated experiences, including natural language processing models, such as ChatGPT. The second is AI for health. This covers technologies that can automate everything from diagnostics to treatment recommendations and decision-making. Thirdly, the project examines genome editing technology such as CRISPR, which involves strategically changing DNA to introduce new traits or suppress unwanted ones. The fourth area of focus is biobanks – large-scale collections of human tissue samples that can be used for genealogy, disease research and much more.
Training in ethical research
iRECS is developing robust training for ethics experts to widen the pool of ethics reviewers with expertise in these new technologies and educate on the risks of globalised research. iRECS will train at least 600 ethics experts to evaluate ethical issues in research projects that use these new technologies, to lay the foundation for a permanent training programme. The project has developed case studies to create the necessary training materials, and published policy recommendations, Based on this initial work, training programmes looking into the potential ethical impacts of new technologies in four target areas were developed. The materials will eventually be available in six languages and offered in the EU, China, South Korea and West Africa.
Recommendations for an ethical future
Building upon the experience and insights from practitioners, the project has published recommendations and policy briefs for improving the relevant ethics review and research governance processes. These publications are designed to promote dialogue with global partners on ethics and integrity in research. The publications include Extended Reality, AI in Healthcare, Genome Editing and Biobanking.
Keywords
iRECS, ethics, extended reality, AI, healthcare, genome editing, biobanks, DNA, research ethics