Research Ethics Week features the Research Ethics Day Conference on Wednesday, March 5—a day-long free webinar on “The Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in Research: Challenges & Emerging Guidance.” This interdisciplinary conference, which features top national speakers, is presented by the Research and Innovation Office, Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment & the Life Sciences, Masonic Cancer Center, and Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
Webinar: Wednesday, March 5, 2025; 9am-3pm Central Time
Researchers across many disciplines are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), including large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT to support empirical research and data analysis, academic writing, peer review, and development of new tools. The broad reach of AI in research raises pressing ethical questions about scientific integrity, authorship, data privacy, bias, and equity. Related issues include how trainees and students should be instructed to use and acknowledge the use of AI tools in their research. Ethical guidance from research institutions, professional organizations, journals, and governmental oversight authorities is only beginning to emerge, and ethical oversight of AI in research also remains in flux.
This conference will bring together leading experts from a range of disciplines, from biomedical sciences to the humanities, to confront the challenge of ethical use of AI in research. National leaders will discuss how AI is being used in research, the challenges to research ethics and integrity, current guidance on using AI in research and publication, including how to address concerns that training sets for LLMs may not be sufficiently representative, leading to biased models. Speakers will also debate how LLMs should be used in academic writing and peer review, and how students should use these tools. The conference will consider when and how researchers should seek informed consent to use of AI in research protocols, and how IRBs can effectively provide oversight for research with AI tools. The conference will offer recommendations for researchers, students, administrators, and IRB professionals on how to ensure ethical use of AI in research.
Research Ethics Week, March 3 - 7, 2025
It is encouraged that many colleges, departments, and units as possible develop and share opportunities they will sponsor as part of Research Ethics Week to reflect the University of Minnesota research community's commitment to ethics and integrity in research.
Historically, this week has strongly emphasized research involving human participants. Still, research ethics and integrity extend to all areas of research throughout the entire University of Minnesota system, including basic science research. We invite topics in any area of interest relevant to research ethics and integrity. Online and hybrid presentations during Research Ethics Week open new doors for cross-collaborative efforts to share knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned with a larger audience. The events provide opportunities for research teams (faculty, postdoctoral scholars, students, and technical staff) to get together and discuss best practices in cutting-edge research.
What can you do to prepare for Research Ethics Week?
- Discuss ideas for a presentation in your team meetings, engage in case study discussions, or provide an opportunity for people to talk about lessons learned.
- To sponsor an event, you will need to: secure a speaker, make the arrangements, select a time/date/location (or Zoom link to sign up) for the presentation, decide on a presentation title, and write a summary of what the event is about. Make sure any materials you'd like to provide attendees are ready beforehand.
- Submit your planned idea through the Research Ethics Week Presentation Submission Form.
- Regularly check the Research Ethics Week website to see what new events are posted, sign up for and participate in as many as you are able to, and encourage your colleagues and students to sign up and attend.
- Register for and attend the Research Ethics Day Conference on March 5, 2025 (via Zoom).
If you have questions or would like to collaborate on a presentation, please contact Danielle Rintala, director of Research Integrity and Compliance, at [email protected].
