Science in the Era of ChatGPT, Large Language Models and Generative AI: Challenges for Research Ethics and How to Respond
This addresses ethical and integrity issues for researchers, participants, and reviewers in science, but it is incremental as it builds on existing ethics frameworks.
The paper tackles the challenges posed by large language models like ChatGPT in scientific research, reviewing epistemological and ethical risks to establish new foundations for research ethics review, and concludes with ten recommendations for more responsible research conduct.
Large language models of artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, find remarkable but controversial applicability in science and research. This paper reviews epistemological challenges, ethical and integrity risks in science conduct in the advent of generative AI. This is with the aim to lay new timely foundations for a high-quality research ethics review. The role of AI language models as a research instrument and subject is scrutinized along with ethical implications for scientists, participants and reviewers. New emerging practices for research ethics review are discussed, concluding with ten recommendations that shape a response for a more responsible research conduct in the era of AI.