In-person and Online: Relaying Public Input on AI to Researchers: Creating the First AI Ethics Policy for the Zooniverse Crowdsourcing Platform #679

Presentation: Relaying Public Input on AI to Researchers: Creating the First AI Ethics Policy for the Zooniverse Crowdsourcing Platform from Samantha Blickhan, Ph.D (Director of Zooniverse at the Adler Planetarium)

This talk will focus on the development of first-ever Zooniverse framework for ethical integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) into online crowdsourcing, also known as participatory research or citizen science. Zooniverse (https://www.zooniverse.org) engages nearly 3 million volunteers worldwide who have contributed to 450+ participatory research projects, each led by a different research team. The field of crowdsourced research has clearly-articulated best practices for equitable approaches which prioritize volunteer experience at the same level as data production. The rapid introduction of widespread AI/ML has the potential to disrupt current practice if not approached with caution and intention.

As the use of AI/ML has become more prevalent—now in ⅓ of Zooniverse projects—it has sparked a range of reactions within the volunteer community, reflecting broader societal discourse. On project discussion forums, Zooniverse participants have surfaced concerns on issues like ownership, agency, data quality, and transparency. In spaces where public participation is based on trust, unchecked adoption of new technologies can potentially lead to a breakdown of existing social contracts and other negative impacts (e.g. to people, to research data, to carefully-developed methodologies). In response, Zooniverse launched an initiative to develop recommendations for running AI/ML-engaged projects on the platform.

This talk will explain the framework development process and forthcoming results, as well as key outcomes and ongoing challenges that remain unresolved. The takeaways and challenges discussed are important not only for the field of research crowdsourcing, but for anyone considering how to create frameworks for adopting new technologies within an organization, in particular how to incorporate audience opinions and preferences into that process.

This event will be in person, but you can also tune in via livestream. Doors open at 6pm. The livestream and announcements will start around 6:30pm CDT.

In-person: i.c.stars, 750 N Orleans, Suite 500 (5th floor), Chicago IL.

For more information on our in-person events, please see our COVID Policy.

RSVP In-person attendees should RSVP beforehand. As occupancy limits permit, walk-ins will be allowed to enter.

There will be food! We will be serving Costa Rican empanadas, chicken casado and rice from Irazu!