Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing and becoming widespread across various fields, raising diverse challenges regarding reliability and ethical use, and emphasizing the need to clearly regulate its application in different sectors. One of the biggest challenges, which is causing increasing concern, is the ethical use of AI technologies in education and research activities.
At an international conference in Vilnius, organized by the Office of the Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter referred to as the Office), researchers, experts, and policymakers in the fields of science and education emphasized that in the future, content created through human-AI interaction could become one of the primary sources of knowledge. Therefore, it is important to immediately address the challenges posed by AI, discuss principles of ethical use, and establish clear commitments for the academic community regarding its application in the science and education process.
“We live in a time when the development of AI technologies is transforming not only our daily lives but also the entire academic process – from teaching methods to conducting research and publishing results. This progress introduces new ethical challenges, which is why it is crucial to evaluate the impact of AI responsibly and adhere to clear ethical standards,” stressed Dr. Reda Cimmperman, Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures of the Republic of Lithuania. She also highlighted the numerous risks associated with the principles of ethical AI use, AI and open science requirements, publication ethics, research security, and intellectual property protection.
The Ombudsperson also noted that not enough attention is being given to AI challenges and learning how to properly use and apply it in creating academic and scientific outputs. “We are in a sort of race, where technology is developing rapidly, leaving little time for discussions, regulation, and learning how to use it appropriately. Therefore, we must shift our approach from reactive to proactive,” said Dr. Cimmperman.
Dr. Jason Pridmore from Erasmus University Rotterdam (Netherlands) also emphasized that AI is undoubtedly transforming educational processes. “Lessons from past technological changes can help us rebuild trust and prepare the education system for future challenges, including those posed by the rapid development of AI,” said Dr. Pridmore.
The conference also featured the presentation of the Office’s research report Responsible Research Barometer 2024, which revealed the experiences of researchers at Lithuanian academic and educational institutions concerning research ethics and the ethics of publishing research results.
According to one of the report’s leaders, Dr. Rima Sinickė, a trend has emerged that fewer respondents in recent years have been familiar with various academic ethics documents and recommendations. Nevertheless, the participants of the study clearly recognize the need to deepen their knowledge in academic and research ethics – approximately one-third of respondents indicated that they had improved their knowledge through courses, seminars, or self-study.
She noted that the study clearly showed the need to raise researchers’ awareness of the application and use of AI technology in the research process. “Only 4% of respondents stated that in recent years, they had participated in training where the use of AI and the ethical presentation of such use in the study and research process were discussed,” highlighted Dr. Sinickė.
According to Ombudsperson Dr. Cimmperman, these trends are similar in many countries, which is why institutions shaping academic ethics policies take them very seriously.
“I am confident that cooperation in this field will only grow stronger, and by combining our efforts and experiences, we will be able to effectively address the challenges of ethical AI use in the study and research process. I can only express my satisfaction that Lithuania has already made significant progress – in April, the Guidelines on Ethical Use of AI in Science and Education prepared by our Office received a very positive response from the academic community, and most science and education institutions are making substantial progress in regulating the use of AI technology at the institutional level,” said Dr. Cimmperman.
According to her, the primary goal now is to focus sufficient attention at the European Union level on comprehensive training programs that would help students and researchers not only use AI technology responsibly in their research or tasks but also assess the reliability of the products created, develop the ability to correctly and transparently indicate the use of AI tools in academic tasks, scientific works, and artistic creations.
The event was also attended by Prof. Dr. Artūras Žukauskas, Chairman of the Seimas Committee on Education and Science, Aistė Kairienė, Advisor to the Prime Minister, and Prof. Dr. Vilija Targamadzė, Member of the Seimas Committee on Education and Science. Presentations were given by scholars and academic ethics experts from Lithuania, Austria, the Netherlands, and other countries, exploring the impact of AI on education and its influence on academic processes.
Contact information:
Senior Public Relations Specialist Gabrielė Dambrauskaitė
Tel. +370 694 43 992
Email: info@etikostarnyba.lt
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Photographs by Kęstutis Vanagas