AI ethics-guideline research-ethics
“The rapid spread of innovation-based IT practices complicates the interaction between technological capacity and societal adoption and reduces the relevance of forecast activities about the consequences of research. However, this relative unpredictability does not free scientists of responsibility, but should instead motivate ethical reflection and the quest for appropriate perspectives and methods. Researchers should be aware that their work de facto contributes to changing society and humanity, and the process is not always predictable. Although the responsibility for this impact should not be borne by them alone, they too have a share of collective responsibility. Against this background, the aim of CERNA is to encourage and support researchers in the exercise of ethical reflection about their work.This document is addressed to IT researchers, developers, and designers. Societal issues are listed but not explored in depth. CERNA considers only scientifically plausible possibilities, avoiding science-fiction scenarios that might become a source of confusion” (ALLISTENE, 2018, p. 4)“the purpose of the present document is to:
Raise awareness and provide “researchers” with food for thought and certain waymarks. For reasons of convenience, the term “researcher” is used here to refer to people—designers, engineers, developers, entrepreneurs—and their communities or institutions;
Contribute to a wider debate on the ethical and societal questions associated with the development of artificial intelligence, so that machine learning develops to the benefit of society. CERNA is therefore addressing two kinds of reader here: on the one hand specialists, and on the other hand anyone interested, whether decisionmakers or ordinary citizens.” (ALLISTENE, 2018, p. 7)