Sinai Health Bioethics Grand Rounds | Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Ethics Review and Oversight: Navigating Ethical Complexity | Virtual

Speakers: Rosalind (Roz) Abdool, PhD, Senior Ethicist and Co-Vice Chair (Research Ethics Board), Trillium Health Partners; Anjana Sengar, PharmD, MAS AI Data & Ethics Advisor Trillium Health Partners; Kylie Walcott, BSc, Manager, Research Ethics, Infrastructure & Oversight, Trillium Health Partners

Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging field with a plethora of ethical challenges. Given the lack of significant guidance in terms of regulation, research ethics boards (REB)s are left to determine the ethical issues and risks associated with AI research. Additionally, as with any new technology or practice, recognition of and management of ethical issues often lag the emerging field. AI is expanding rapidly in healthcare contexts and is being applied to a variety of programs and areas. As such, Trillium Health Partners’ (THP) REB recognized that there is a significant gap in resources available and REB reviewer AI foundational knowledge to perform comprehensive and appropriate ethics reviews. To address these challenges, THP is developing an independent REB specializing in AI research ethics reviews. Through the development of a novel AI REB, the REB has endeavoured to gain further knowledge about AI at large, and to develop a robust awareness of the types of ethical issues that can be encountered at all stages in the life cycle of AI research. Through engaging with AI researchers, other REBs and REB members and AI Ethics experts, THP’s REB developed several different resources and tools, such as an AI-specific reviewer guide for REB members, to ensure the robust, ethical and proportionate review of AI research. Participants will have a greater awareness of: (1) key ethical considerations associated with AI. (2) research operation considerations when performing AI research ethics reviews. (3) specific AI research ethics review considerations.