Summary of the conference
We have finished the international scientific conference ETHICS BY DESIGN – SHAPING SECURE INNOVATIONS. The conference took place on October 24, 2024 online. The conference partners were: Łukasiewicz Research Network – ITECH Institute of Innovation and Technology, Faculty of Philosophy University of Warsaw, Interdisciplinary Center for Ethics (INCET) at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Institute for National and International Security – INIS.
The conference began with a plenary session, followed by thematic sessions.
The “Technological Responsibility, Society, and Innovation” session was devoted to the issues of integrating ethical principles in technology design and research. The presentations emphasized the importance of responsible algorithm design, with particular emphasis on transparency and fairness, as well as the challenges of creating AI that makes moral decisions. “Ethics by Design” drew attention to the need to take social responsibility into account from the earliest stages of technology development. Examples from logistics showed how to create sustainable and socially responsible supply chains, and research on streaming platforms pointed to the need to introduce more stringent ethical guidelines in digital interactions. In the context of international cooperation in the development of new materials, the need to balance innovation with environmental and social objectives was highlighted. A key takeaway was the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in responsible technology development. Recurring topics included ethical audits, content regulation and education.From a legal point of view, the need to integrate the principles of ethics and social responsibility from the early stages of technology development was indicated. Regular updates of algorithms, based on principles of transparency, can reduce the risk of discrimination. Introducing moral mechanisms to AI requires balancing different ethical approaches. Value-driven logistics processes can benefit both companies and communities. The lack of ethical regulations on streaming platforms undermines audience trust. International cooperation in the development of advanced materials must take into account safety and sustainability issues. The growing importance of integrating ethical and safety considerations in AI research is imperative, and education and training play a key role in promoting responsible technology practices.
The session “Ethics, law and technology – global and local challenges” was devoted to the analysis of key challenges and opportunities emerging at the intersection of digital technology, management and ethics. It began by discussing Europe’s strategic shift towards digital sovereignty, driven by the need to increase global competitiveness. This change is being driven by a wave of digital regulations, and the legislative work reflects the EU’s desire to manage the complexity of digital transformation, while balancing the different priorities of Member States. From a legal point of view, there is an urgent need to create a coherent regulatory framework for new technologies such as artificial intelligence. The session also highlighted the dangers of the lack of unified legal structures, emphasizing the need for a global approach to AI regulation to avoid fragmented governance and ensure equitable access to technology across borders. In the context of the transformation from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 as well as the increasing use of robots, also in interaction with people, the importance of human-centered innovations that take into account ethical standards, sustainable development and social well-being was emphasized. Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) was presented as a key framework to guide this change, with an emphasis on ethical aspects, engaging various stakeholders and building trust in new technologies.The topic of internal governance in the context of implementing artificial intelligence was also discussed, especially in terms of changing audit standards for AI-based initiatives. As technology evolves, organizations must face new threats, such as biases in AI models and privacy breaches. The need to strengthen internal audit was highlighted to mitigate these risks and ensure ethical implementation of AI.Ethics by design also means ethics in design. In this context, the importance of starting every design process with ethical considerations was highlighted to avoid negative impacts on society, the environment and individuals. An ethical perspective is crucial not only in design, but also in legal applications of artificial intelligence, where transparency, accountability and customer privacy should be a priority. The problem of disinformation in the digital age was also discussed, emphasizing how philosophical concepts can help fight the spread of false information and conspiracy theories. Supporting critical thinking and social dialogue has been identified as a way to mitigate the effects of disinformation and strengthen social cohesion.At the end of the session, an innovative regulatory proposal was presented to increase the responsibility of large artificial intelligence companies. By tying shareholder responsibility to the social impact of AI technology, the proposal aims to transform corporate governance to encourage responsible innovation without limiting progress.Discussions during the session highlighted the complex balance between technological advances, regulatory foresight and ethical responsibility. As AI continues to innovate and integrate across sectors, it will be crucial to ensure that the legal and ethical framework evolves to protect societal values and interests.
The “Ethics and Security in Healthcare Technologies” session addressed the ethical, legal, and security challenges emerging from the integration of advanced technologies in healthcare. The discussion focused on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve diagnostics, personalized medicine, and operational efficiency, while highlighting the critical need to safeguard patient data and address inherent vulnerabilities in AI systems. Key security concerns included data breaches, adversarial attacks, and algorithmic biases, which pose risks to equitable healthcare outcomes. Proposed solutions emphasized robust cybersecurity measures, bias detection strategies, and continuous monitoring to ensure safe and reliable AI applications. “Ethics by Design” emerged as a recurring theme, emphasizing the importance of embedding ethical principles into the development lifecycle of healthcare technologies including empowerment through co-creation and prioritizing user-experience design. The session also explored ethical dilemmas related to balancing individual privacy rights and collective benefits in AI applications. Human rights law was presented as a legitimate framework to reconcile these competing interests, ensuring ethical use of sensitive medical data. The topic of compensation ethics in clinical research sparked debate, focusing on whether payments to participants should reflect the risks involved. While existing guidelines differ, arguments were made for risk-adjusted remuneration to maintain fairness and align participant treatment with ethical standards. The session underscored the growing importance of aligning healthcare technologies with societal values through interdisciplinary approaches. By integrating ethical, legal, and security considerations into the development and governance of medical innovations, stakeholders can build trust and ensure that technological advancements prioritize social well-being and patient safety.