Browsing by Author "Knight, William"

Now showing 1 - 12 of 12
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Beyond Research Ethics: Dialogues in Neuro-ICT Research
    (Frontiers, 2019-03-29) Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Akintoye, Simisola; Guerrero, Manuel; Fothergill, B. Tyr; Ulnicane, Inga; Knight, William
    The increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to help facilitate neuroscience adds a new level of complexity to the question of how ethical issues of such research can be identified and addressed. Current research ethics practice, based on ethics reviews by institutional review boards (IRB) and underpinned by ethical principlism, has been widely criticized. In this article, we develop an alternative way of approaching ethics in neuro-ICT research, based on discourse ethics, which implements Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) through dialogues. We draw on our work in Ethics Support, using the Human Brain Project (HBP) as empirical evidence of the viability of this approach.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Data Governance in International Neuroscience Research
    (Middlesex University, 2019-11-07) Ogoh, George; Eke, Damian; Akintoye, Simisola; Knight, William; Ulnicane, Inga; Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Ethical and Social Aspects of Neurorobotics
    (Springer, 2020-07-22) Aicardi, Christine; Akintoye, Simisola; Fothergill, B. Tyr; Guerrero, Manuel; Klinker, Gudrun; Knight, William; Kluver, Lars; Morel, Yannick; Morin, Fabrice O.; Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Ulnicane, Inga
    The interdisciplinary field of neurorobotics looks to neuroscience to overcome the limitations of modern robotics technology, to robotics to advance our understanding of the neural system’s inner workings, and to information technology to develop tools that support those complementary endeavours. The development of these technologies is still at an early stage, which makes them an ideal candidate for proactive and anticipatory ethical reflection. This article explains the current state of neurorobotics development within the Human Brain Project, originating from a close collaboration between the scientific and technical experts who drive neurorobotics innovation, and the humanities and social sciences scholars who provide contextualising and reflective capabilities. This article discusses some of the ethical issues which can reasonably be expected. On this basis, the article explores possible gaps identified within this collaborative, ethical reflection that calls for attention to ensure that the development of neurorobotics is ethically sound and socially acceptable and desirable.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    ItemOpen Access
    Ethical Issues of Research Infrastructure: What are they and how can they be addressed?
    (Universidad de La Rioja, 2020-07) Eke, Damian; Akintoye, Simisola; Knight, William; Ogoh, George; Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-
    E-infrastructures are emerging as novel and effective ways of increasing creativity and efficiency of research. As technological innovations, these virtual, ubiquitous, pervasive infrastructures offer possibilities of international collaborations through open, data-driven and high-quality computing environments. Particularly in Europe, the aim is to create an ecosystem of e-science where multiple disciplines converge to foster interoperable and open collaboration with the help of significant data processing and computing capacity. While most agree that these research infrastructures are crucial to scientific reproducibility and rigor, e-infrastructural literature lacks critical discussions on the ethical concerns they raise or potentially can raise. This paper argues that e-infrastructures can raise a number of ethical, legal and social concerns. Some of these relate to data privacy and data security but they also include issues around animal welfare, data bias, intellectual property rights, environmental sustainability, digital divide and other unintended uses/misuses. This paper also presents a practical way of thinking about ethics in e-infrastructures. The underlying argument here is that addressing e-infrastructure ethical issues should start from the design of the infrastructure and continue through to its lifecycle. It requires the integration of relevant ethical principles into its design to foster responsible use/application. We then propose that this can be done through the Responsible Research and Innovation approach as an ethics-by-design tool.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Framing governance for a contested emerging technology: insights from AI policy
    (Taylor & Francis, 2020-12-17) Ulnicane, Inga; Knight, William; Leach, Tonii; Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Wanjiku, Winter-Gladys
    This paper examines how the governance in AI policy documents have been framed as way to resolve public controversies surrounding AI. It draws on the studies of governance of emerging technologies, the concept of policy framing, and analysis of 49 recent policy documents dedicated to AI which have been prepared in the context of technological hype expecting fast advances of AI that will fundamentally change economy and society. The hype about AI is accompanied by major public controversy about positive and negative effects of AI. Against the backdrop of this policy controversy, governance emerges as one of the frames that diagnoses the problems and offers prescriptions. Accordingly, the current governance characterized by oligopoly of a small number of large companies is indicated as one of the reasons for problems such as lack of consideration of societal needs and concerns. To address these problems, governance frame in AI policy documents assigns more active and collaborative roles to the state and society. Amid public controversies, the state is assigned the roles of promoting and facilitating AI development while at the same time being a guarantor of risk mitigation and enabler of societal engagement. High expectations are assigned to public engagement with multiple publics as a way to increase diversity, representation and equality in AI development and use. While this governance frame might have a normative appeal, it is not specific about addressing some well-known challenges of the proposed governance mode such as risks of capture by vested interests or difficulties to achieve consensus.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    From Responsible Research and Innovation to Responsibility by Design
    (Taylor and Francis, 2021-08-25) Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Akintoye, Simisola; Bitsch, Lise; Bringedal, Berit; Eke, Damian; Farisco, Michele; Grasenick, Karin; Guerrero, Manuel; Knight, William; Leach, Antonia; Nyholm, Sven; Ogoh, George; Rosemann, Achim; Salles, Arleen; Trattnig, Julia; Ulnicane, Inga
    Drawing on more than eight years working to implement Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in the Human Brain Project, a large EU-funded research project that brings together neuroscience, computing, social sciences, and the humanities, and one of the largest investments in RRI in one project, this article offers insights on RRI and explores its possible future. We focus on the question of how RRI can have long-lasting impact and persist beyond the time horizon of funded projects. For this purpose, we suggest the concept of “responsibility by design” which is intended to encapsulate the idea of embedding RRI in research and innovation in a way that makes it part of the fabric of the resulting outcomes, in our case, a distributed European Research Infrastructure.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Good governance as a response to discontents? Déjà vu, or lessons for AI from other emerging technologies
    (Taylor and Francis, 2021-03-07) Ulnicane, Inga; Eke, Damian; Knight, William; Ogoh, George; Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-
    Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have led to intense debates about benefits and concerns associated with this powerful technology. These concerns and debates have similarities with developments in other emerging technologies characterized by prominent impacts and uncertainties. Against this background, this paper asks, What can AI governance, policy and ethics learn from other emerging technologies to address concerns and ensure that AI develops in a socially beneficial way? From recent literature on governance, policy and ethics of emerging technologies, six lessons are derived focusing on inclusive governance with balanced and transparent involvement of government, civil society and private sector; diverse roles of the state including mitigating risks, enabling public participation and mediating diverse interests; objectives of technology development prioritizing societal benefits; international collaboration supported by science diplomacy, as well as learning from computing ethics and Responsible Innovation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Governance of Artificial Intelligence: Emerging international trends and policy frames
    (Chapman and Hall/CRC, 2022-03-22) Ulnicane, Inga; Knight, William; Leach, Tonii; Stahl, Bernd Carsten; Wanjiku, Winter-Gladys
    In recent years, national governments, international organizations and stakeholders have launched numerous Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategies and reports. Recent research has mostly focused on AI ethics, while topics of AI policy and governance have received less attention. To address this research gap, this chapter addresses two main questions: what is driving fast-developing AI policies around the world and what are the main frames of emerging AI policies. To make sense of recent AI policy developments, this chapter draws on literature on emerging technologies, in particular on studies of performative function of hypes and expectations as well as of collaboration and competition dynamics in emerging fields. The analysis demonstrates that the fast-development of AI policy is largely driven, firstly, by a wide range of impacts of AI, and, secondly, by international assemblies such as the World Economic Forum and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development as well as by cross-national policy learning. However, AI policy developments are unevenly distributed around the world and are predominantly concentrated in the most developed regions. This chapter identifies three main AI policy frames: first, framing AI as revolutionary, transformative and disruptive technology; second, closely interconnected global competition and collaboration in the field of AI; and thirdly, a three-pillar approach of realising opportunities, mitigating risks and ensuring responsible AI. The chapter highlights that AI policy developments influenced by perceptions of hype, positive and negative expectations as well as global competition and collaboration can have not only positive but also problematic effects on resource allocation and political prioritization.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Intersectional observations of the Human Brain Project's approach to sex and gender
    (Emerald Publishing, 2019-05-13) Fothergill, B. Tyr; Knight, William; Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Ulnicane, Inga
    Purpose – This paper aims to critically assess approaches to sex and gender in the Human Brain Project (HBP) as a large ICT project AQ: 1 case study using intersectionality. Design/methodology/approach – The strategy of the HBP is contextualised within the wider context of AQ: 2 the representation of women in ICT, and critically reflected upon from an intersectional standpoint. Findings – The policy underpinning the approach deployed by the HBP in response to these issues parallels Horizon 2020 wording and emphasises economic outcomes, productivity and value, which aligns with other “equality” initiatives influenced by neoliberalised versions of feminism. Research limitations/implications – Limitations include focussing on a single case study, the authors being funded as part of the Ethics and Society Subproject of the HBP, and the limited temporal period under consideration. Social implications – The frameworks underpinning the HBP approach to sex and gender issues present risks with regard to the further entrenchment of present disparities in the ICT sector, may fail to acknowledge systemic inequalities and biases and ignore the importance of intersectionality. Shortcomings of the approach employed by the HBP up to March, 2018 included aspects of each of these risks, and replicated problematic understandings of sex, gender and diversity. Originality/value – This paper is the first to use an intersectional approach to issues of sex and gender in the context of large-scale ICT research. Its value lies in raising awareness, opening a discursive space and presenting opportunities to consider and reflect upon potential, contextualised intersectional solutions to such issues.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Pseudonymization of neuroimages and data protection: Increasing access to data while retaining scientific utility
    (Elsevier, 2021-09-15) Eke, Damian; Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Ogoh, George; Knight, William; Akintoye, Simisola; Ochang, Paschal
    For a number of years, facial features removal techniques such as ‘defacing’, ‘skull stripping’ and ‘face masking/ blurring’, were considered adequate privacy preserving tools to openly share brain images. Scientifically, these measures were already a compromise between data protection requirements and research impact of such data. Now, recent advances in machine learning and deep learning that indicate an increased possibility of re- identifiability from defaced neuroimages, have increased the tension between open science and data protection requirements. Researchers are left pondering how best to comply with the different jurisdictional requirements of anonymization, pseudonymization or de-identification without compromising the scientific utility of neuroimages even further. In this paper, we present perspectives intended to clarify the meaning and scope of these concepts and highlight the privacy limitations of available pseudonymization and de-identification techniques. We also discuss possible technical and organizational measures and safeguards that can facilitate sharing of pseudonymized neuroimages without causing further reductions to the utility of the data.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Responsible Data Governance of Neuroscience Big Data
    (Frontiers, 2019-04-24) Fothergill, B. Tyr; Knight, William; Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Ulnicane, Inga
    Current discussions of the ethical aspects of big data are shaped by concerns regarding the social consequences of both the widespread adoption of machine learning and the ways in which biases in data can be replicated and perpetuated. We instead focus here on the ethical issues arising from the use of big data in international neuroscience collaborations. Neuroscience innovation relies upon neuroinformatics, large-scale data collection and analysis enabled by novel and emergent technologies. Each step of this work involves aspects of ethics, ranging from concerns for adherence to informed consent or animal protection principles and issues of data re-use at the stage of data collection, to data protection and privacy during data processing and analysis, and issues of attribution and intellectual property at the data-sharing and publication stages. Significant dilemmas and challenges with far-reaching implications are also inherent, including reconciling the ethical imperative for openness and validation with data protection compliance and considering future innovation trajectories or the potential for misuse of research results. Furthermore, these issues are subject to local interpretations within different ethical cultures applying diverse legal systems emphasising different aspects. Neuroscience big data require a concerted approach to research across boundaries, wherein ethical aspects are integrated within a transparent, dialogical data governance process. We address this by developing the concept of “responsible data governance,” applying the principles of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) to the challenges presented by the governance of neuroscience big data in the Human Brain Project (HBP).
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Time to consider animal data governance: perspectives from neuroscience
    (Frontiers, 2023-08-29) Eke, Damian; Ogoh, George; Stahl, Bernd; Knight, William
    Scientific research relies mainly on multimodal, multidimensional big data generated from both animal and human organisms as well as technical data. However, unlike human data that is increasingly regulated at national, regional and international levels, regulatory frameworks that can govern the sharing and reuse of non-human animal data are yet to be established. Whereas the legal and ethical principles that shape animal data generation in many countries and regions differ, the generated data are shared beyond boundaries without any governance mechanism