Articles tagged with Ethics
A new book introduces a structure that balances efficiency and fairness in optimization models, examining real-world effects of different approaches. It suggests that truly optimal results are fair ones, promoting informed and ethical choices in algorithm-driven world.
A new study highlights major hurdles for multinational clinical trials in Europe, including differences in timelines and processing times between countries. Researchers found that the UK made significant gains in efficiency during the pandemic, while non-UK countries lagged behind.
Researchers found that firms set overly optimistic goals for the next period after missing their target, and surprisingly, this tactic often pays off. However, large institutional shareholders and female directors can restrain such behavior by demanding accountability and compliance with rules.
Researchers discovered AI art protection tools have critical weaknesses that cannot reliably stop AI models from training on artists' work. LightShed, a new method, can detect and remove distortions, stripping away protections and rendering images usable again for generative AI model training.
Global survey of 4,351 participants reveals that people in more equal and wealthy societies are more likely to condemn excessive wealth. Moral condemnation is linked to values related to equality, purity, and younger age, suggesting concerns about the corrupting influence of wealth.
Researchers developed a technique to study moral decision-making while driving, testing it on 274 philosopher participants. The results showed consistency across different philosophical schools of thought regarding what constitutes moral behavior in the context of driving.
The journal JMIR Human Factors is inviting submissions for a new theme issue focusing on human factors in health care education, management, and knowledge translation. The issue aims to explore current and emergent educational and training aspects of human factors, including digital competencies for healthcare professionals.
The ELSI University Summit in Japan brought together experts to discuss challenges and prospects of responsible AI development. Key findings include the need for ethics-driven approaches, collaboration between academia and industry, and the importance of setting evaluation indicators for Responsible AI.
Rice University will offer a Bachelor of Science in artificial intelligence beginning in the fall of 2025. The new major provides a cohesive program covering various approaches to AI and incorporates disciplines outside of engineering.
The study analyzes 369,161 posts from Reddit's 'AITA?' board, finding that dilemmas concerning relational obligations were the most common type. Violations of trust, such as lying and cheating, were evaluated more negatively than acts of harm, highlighting the importance of trust in moral cognition.
Researchers at Korea University found a link between internal bodily awareness and making decisions aligned with group consensus. This connection was mediated by brain activity states associated with self-referential processing and internal attention.
A study by Prof. Dr. Heinz Welsch found that countries with higher per-capita income and emissions levels pursue more ambitious climate targets, but their populations are less willing to contribute to climate change mitigation. The study also found a correlation between the discrepancy and lower satisfaction with democracy.
The study shows that liberals and conservatives often support different types of leaders due to differences in moral priorities. Conservatives tend to favor dominant leaders who employ assertiveness and formal authority, while liberals prefer prestigious leaders who lead through knowledge and earned respect.
A new study introduces an emotion-based evaluative framework to address the impact of moral distress on professional identity. The research aims to provide insights into how clinicians can navigate moral challenges and calls for institutional education and support.
A new paper reveals widespread transnational human rights violations (THRVs) due to repressive states' intensifying tactics. The authors urge the establishment of 'Transnational Rights Protection Offices' to provide support and guidance for individuals affected by these actions.
The study emphasizes the need for a coherent approach to understanding A.I. threats, recognizing the intricate interplay between technology and society. Experts propose involving laypeople and experts in risk assessment processes, as well as promoting social resilience to ensure better decision-making.
The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.
A new framework for responsible decision-making and inclusive dialogue has been launched by the American Geophysical Union to address the risks of geoengineering research. The framework proposes five key principles to guide research, funding and policy proposals, including consideration of physical, environmental and social consequences.
A UT Arlington study suggests that speaking up is key to ethical decision-making in research groups. The researchers found that fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to voice concerns can help prevent unethical behavior. An 'ethical champion' who steps up to speak out against potential issues was a common finding.
Event attribution science will inform financial decisions on Loss and Damage by considering uncertainties and allocating funds effectively. The authors propose a multi-method hazard framework to deal with uncertainties and highlight the importance of integrating local knowledge and expertise.
A new paper in JCOM describes the development of an automatic translation app for sign language, designed through co-creation with deaf communities. The research team used a theatrical performance and AI tools to gather feedback from audiences, informing the app's design and features.
A recent study categorizes human brain organoid research's legal challenges into five key themes: consciousness, consent, ownership, transplantation, and legal status. This categorization aims to establish regulatory priorities for the future, guiding responsible and ethical advancement in the field.
A modeling study estimates that cancer screening costs over $40 billion annually in the US, with an emphasis on enhancing equitable access to recommended screenings. However, experts argue that this estimate may underestimate the true cost due to lack of consideration for subsequent testing, ineligible patients, and overdiagnosis.
A study of Reddit comments on ChatGPT's launch reveals the tech community is more strongly divided in their opinions about AI. While non-tech discussions focus on social issues like job replacement, tech-centric subreddits have more focused and opinionated debates.
Experts have established a comprehensive guideline for classifying and treating advanced liver cancer in China. The guidelines recommend personalized treatment options based on tumor characteristics, vascular tumor thrombus grade, distant metastasis, liver function status, portal hypertension, and hepatitis B virus replication status.
Two studies published by researchers at the University of Michigan found that a handful of common surgical procedures, such as tonsillectomies and C-sections, account for large shares of all opioids dispensed after surgery. The studies suggest opportunities to reduce surgical opioid prescribing without compromising pain control.
A new mixed-methods study found that pregnant and postpartum people who died by suicide were more likely to experience intimate partner problems, depression, substance abuse, and health problems. The study highlights the need for policies and practices targeting these factors to reduce perinatal suicide risk.
A University of Leeds academic argues that changes to word definitions are causing 'hermeneutical disarmament', leaving people without specific words to describe useful concepts. This phenomenon is particularly concerning when it affects specific phenomena like emotional abuse and women's work.
A recent study found that educational specialists and the general public in Japan perceive virtue differently, with ESs identifying with active, intellectual virtues and GP associated with passive, emotional ones. This gap has significant implications for academic integrity and educational policy.
A study found that companies with top management from Shiga Prefecture exhibited better environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performances. The Sanpo-yoshi values promoted inclusivity and elevated ESG metrics, suggesting a global standard for responsible business practices.
A comprehensive literature review and analysis reveal uncertainties in obtaining informed consent from cell donors due to the potential for brain organoid consciousness. Researchers propose three methods to address these concerns, emphasizing the importance of tailoring consent procedures and prioritizing ethical oversight.
This study examines the ethics and practical questions of epigenome editing for therapeutic purposes, including its potential for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. The authors propose criteria for evaluating the validity of human applications, highlighting the need for stringent regulations to ensure safe and ethical use.
A new study finds that consumers are willing to pay more for pork with improved animal welfare, but not necessarily a lower carbon footprint. The majority of respondents prioritize animal welfare over climate considerations.
A study surveyed over 4,500 laypeople and 700 professional fundraisers about acceptance of tainted donations. Respondents generally agreed that institutions should reject donations from criminals but accept those from morally ambiguous individuals.
A new study reveals that people judge smart AI assistants as partly responsible for decisions, even when they're used as tools. Participants saw them as more responsible for positive outcomes, highlighting the need for organizations to consider social and moral norms in AI design.
Researchers found that childhood adversity can reshape an individual's moral development, leading to a 'deformative experience' that pulls them away from their true nature. This asymmetric sensitivity to life history information affects judgments of praise and blame.
Royal colleges have received £9m in payments from drug and medical device companies since 2015 but often don't disclose these payments publicly. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges should coordinate standardised disclosure, increasing trust and informed discussion about payment governance.
The International Association of Bioethics has proposed a framework to guide the selection of future conference sites, including those with anti-LGBTQ+ laws. The framework identifies multiple values and principles at stake, aiming to broaden conversation within bioethics about international conferencing ethics.
A new dynamic systems model supports low-carbon transitions by analyzing local stability and formulating effective policy strategies. The model aligns with Agent-Based Models, enabling policymakers to make informed choices and align national policies with sustainable development goals.
A study by Osaka University researchers reveals that various stakeholders, including experts, the general public, and patients, can participate in genome editing governance. This collaboration enables more effective policy-making, with citizens engaging in new initiatives such as interactive events.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that people condemn verbal hate speech more severely than nonverbal discrimination with identical consequences. The researchers concluded that words are perceived as worse than actions due to a phenomenon known as action aversion and the explicit nature of verbal formulations.
A study by Macquarie University researchers explores how players respond to morality meters in games, showing that most ignore clear moral choices but use them when ambiguous. The research provides insights into the impact of morality meters on player behavior and has implications for moral education and awareness.
Children begin considering past choices at age 6, influencing their moral judgments of others. As they grow older, they account for choice in judging character behavior.
A recent NC State University study examines the relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and law enforcement. The study reveals that law enforcement agencies must be involved in developing public policies regarding AI technologies, such as autonomous vehicles. Key findings also suggest that many officers lack understanding of ...
Researchers developed a framework highlighting four facets of honest behavior: intellectual honesty, honest content, honest disclosure, and honest delivery. These elements are crucial for fostering accurate beliefs, understanding, and truthful communication.
The Holocaust Centre North has been awarded a £105,000 grant from the Claims Conference to expand its collection of Holocaust-related materials. The project will digitize the centre's physical archive and increase its size by 50%, making it more accessible to researchers and the public.
New research suggests that rationing could help states reduce greenhouse gas emissions rapidly and fairly. By allocating resources based on needs, rather than market forces, policymakers can create a more equitable approach to climate change mitigation.
A University of Kansas study analyzed over 1,000 AI-generated ads and found that they are only labeled as ads about half the time, often appealing to consumers in positive ways. The prevalence of AI in programmatic advertising raises concerns about consumer deception and the need for updated guidelines to require transparency.
Researchers developed an ethical algorithm to distribute risk fairly in autonomous vehicles, considering multiple factors such as responsibility and traffic regulations. The new approach enables more nuanced decision-making in critical situations, weighing risks and avoiding aggressive maneuvers.
A philosopher at the University of Cambridge argues that interfering with others' transformative choices, such as changing careers or having children, can be morally wrong. The study suggests that there is a moral duty to allow others to make these decisions and that interference should be done with caution.
The special issue explores key characteristics of ethical codes, their underlying values, and challenges in implementing them. Studies highlight common ethical values across cultures, emphasizing the importance of autonomy and care in early childhood education.
Researchers investigate how voice technology affects consumers' willingness to disclose personal info, with potential benefits for marketers and policymakers. The study reveals that voice technology can both increase and decrease disclosure, depending on the context.
A survey by Osaka Metropolitan University found that disaster emergency wells complemented the Kumamoto city government's emergency water supply, speeding up water delivery and improving access. However, some welfare facilities did not use emergency wells despite being nearby, highlighting the importance of publicizing their locations.
Researchers found that American participants had the most positive perception of gene-edited food, while German participants saw it as less beneficial and riskier. Japanese participants' perceptions were intermediate between Germans and Americans. The study suggests that public attitudes towards emerging science are influenced by regul...
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a blueprint for incorporating ethical guidelines into AI decision-making programs. The new mathematical formula, based on the Agent, Deed, and Consequence (ADC) Model, considers intent, character, and consequences of actions to make more informed decisions.
Blastoids, derived from stem cells, mimic early embryonic development but may not develop into a fetus. Ethical considerations surround their use and regulation in research.
A study by Hun Chung questions the assumption that helping the least advantaged benefits society as a whole, finding potential gaps in Rawls' theory. The research suggests that even with an optimal state, further improvements can occur without worsening the situation of the least advantaged group.
A new study suggests that members of the public want to know if their health information or samples from their bodies will be used in research or to help develop new biomedical products. The study found that patients are more likely to want notification about research use of their health information than biospecimens.
Researchers have used a data-sharing innovation to categorise 16 uncertain BRCA variants as benign or likely benign, potentially allowing women with these variants to skip invasive surgeries. This could lead to thousands of people avoiding difficult treatments for no reason.
A new study found that children are less likely to categorize farm animals as food and show more concern for their treatment. The research suggests that humans' moral views on eating meat develop between childhood and adulthood.