2024
|
 | Burley, Jake; Stubbs, Alec; Hughes, James; Eisikovits, Nir The Ethics of Automating Therapy Technical Manual Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies & Umass Boston Applied Ethics Center 2024, ISBN: 979-8-9879599-2-3. @manual{Burley2024,
title = {The Ethics of Automating Therapy},
author = {Burley, Jake and Stubbs, Alec and James Hughes and Nir Eisikovits},
url = {https://ieet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/The-Ethics-of-Automating-Therapy.pdf},
isbn = {979-8-9879599-2-3},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-05-16},
urldate = {2024-05-16},
organization = {Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies & Umass Boston Applied Ethics Center},
abstract = {The mental health crisis and loneliness epidemic have sparked a growing interest in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots as a potential solution. This report examines the benefits and risks of incorporating chatbots in mental health treatment. AI is used for mental health diagnosis and treatment decision-making and to train therapists on virtual patients. Chatbots are employed as always-available intermediaries with therapists, flagging symptoms for human intervention. But chatbots are also sold as stand-alone virtual therapists or as friends and lovers. There is evidence that these uses of AI and chatbots can provide better quality service, improve accessibility, and lower costs. The systems can reduce the stigma and shame of sharing their problems and leverage a mass of biometric and behavioral data to supplement self-reports. As the systems' intelligence rapidly improves, they will need to be rigorously tested for the accuracy and precision of their diagnoses and the quality of their interactions with patients. As chatbots become indistinguishable from humans and leverage their superhuman capacity to detect affect and draw on knowledge of a patient’s life, patients will be drawn to attribute personality to and relationship with the chatbot. Consequently, it will be essential to study what the “therapeutic alliance” with an actual human counselor provides and the risks of patients attributing such a relationship to a one-sided or “parasocial” relationship. },
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The mental health crisis and loneliness epidemic have sparked a growing interest in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots as a potential solution. This report examines the benefits and risks of incorporating chatbots in mental health treatment. AI is used for mental health diagnosis and treatment decision-making and to train therapists on virtual patients. Chatbots are employed as always-available intermediaries with therapists, flagging symptoms for human intervention. But chatbots are also sold as stand-alone virtual therapists or as friends and lovers. There is evidence that these uses of AI and chatbots can provide better quality service, improve accessibility, and lower costs. The systems can reduce the stigma and shame of sharing their problems and leverage a mass of biometric and behavioral data to supplement self-reports. As the systems' intelligence rapidly improves, they will need to be rigorously tested for the accuracy and precision of their diagnoses and the quality of their interactions with patients. As chatbots become indistinguishable from humans and leverage their superhuman capacity to detect affect and draw on knowledge of a patient’s life, patients will be drawn to attribute personality to and relationship with the chatbot. Consequently, it will be essential to study what the “therapeutic alliance” with an actual human counselor provides and the risks of patients attributing such a relationship to a one-sided or “parasocial” relationship. |
2023
|
 | Burley, Jake; Stubbs, Alec Emerging Technologies & Higher Education Technical Manual Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies & Umass Boston Applied Ethics Center 2023. @manual{Burley2023,
title = {Emerging Technologies & Higher Education},
author = {Burley, Jake and Stubbs, Alec},
url = {https://ieet.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Emerging-Technologies-Higher-Education.pdf},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-07-12},
urldate = {2023-07-12},
pages = {1-37},
publisher = {Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies},
organization = {Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies & Umass Boston Applied Ethics Center},
abstract = {Extended Reality (XR) and LargeLanguage Model (LLM) technologies have the potential to significantly influence higher education practices and pedagogy in the coming years. As these emerging technologies reshape the educational landscape, it is crucial for educators and higher education professionals to understand their implications and make informed policy decisions for both individual courses and universities as a whole.
This paper has two parts. In the first half, we give an overview of XR technologies and their potential future role in higher education. Then, we discuss the benefits and challenges of adopting and integrating XR technologies into higher education settings. Finally, we offer recommendations for educators, administrators, and policymakers on how to approach the adoption of this set of technologies and set institutional policy to take advantage of its benefits while minimizing its potential negative consequences.
In the paper’s second half, we discuss LLMs - specificallyGenerative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs). Again, we provide an overview of this rapidly developing technology and examine its unprecedented and potentially disruptive impact on higher education pedagogy. We delve into the benefits and limitations of GPTs, highlighting the pedagogical and ethical challenges they may pose. Finally, we present actionable recommendations for instructors and administrators at both the course level and the university-wide level to guide policy decisions concerning these transformative technologies.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
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}
Extended Reality (XR) and LargeLanguage Model (LLM) technologies have the potential to significantly influence higher education practices and pedagogy in the coming years. As these emerging technologies reshape the educational landscape, it is crucial for educators and higher education professionals to understand their implications and make informed policy decisions for both individual courses and universities as a whole.
This paper has two parts. In the first half, we give an overview of XR technologies and their potential future role in higher education. Then, we discuss the benefits and challenges of adopting and integrating XR technologies into higher education settings. Finally, we offer recommendations for educators, administrators, and policymakers on how to approach the adoption of this set of technologies and set institutional policy to take advantage of its benefits while minimizing its potential negative consequences.
In the paper’s second half, we discuss LLMs - specificallyGenerative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs). Again, we provide an overview of this rapidly developing technology and examine its unprecedented and potentially disruptive impact on higher education pedagogy. We delve into the benefits and limitations of GPTs, highlighting the pedagogical and ethical challenges they may pose. Finally, we present actionable recommendations for instructors and administrators at both the course level and the university-wide level to guide policy decisions concerning these transformative technologies. |
 | Stubbs, Alec; Hughes, James; Eisikovits, Nir The Democratic Metaverse: Building an Extended Reality Safe for Citizens, Workers and Consumers Technical Manual Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies & Umass Boston Applied Ethics Center 2023, ISBN: 979-8-9879599-0-9. @manual{Stubbs2023,
title = {The Democratic Metaverse: Building an Extended Reality Safe for Citizens, Workers and Consumers},
author = {Alec Stubbs and James Hughes and Nir Eisikovits},
url = {https://ieet.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Blue-and-White-Clean-UN-Style-Civil-Society-SDG-Progress-Report.pdf},
isbn = {979-8-9879599-0-9},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-03-06},
urldate = {2023-03-06},
organization = {Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies & Umass Boston Applied Ethics Center},
abstract = {We are likely to have immersive virtual reality and ubiquitous augmented reality in the coming decades. At least some people will use extended reality or “the metaverse” to work, play and shop. In order to achieve the best possible versions of this virtual future, however, we will need to learn from three decades of regulating the Internet. The new virtual world cannot consist of walled corporate fiefdoms ruled only by profitmaximization. The interests of workers, consumers and citizens in virtuality require proactive legislation and oversight.
This white paper first addresses the central question the metaverse poses, whether virtual life is inherently more alienating and less authentic than face-to-face life experiences. This question is both a philosophical question about the nature of the good life and an empirical question about the accumulating evidence about the impacts of the digital on subjective well-being.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {manual}
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We are likely to have immersive virtual reality and ubiquitous augmented reality in the coming decades. At least some people will use extended reality or “the metaverse” to work, play and shop. In order to achieve the best possible versions of this virtual future, however, we will need to learn from three decades of regulating the Internet. The new virtual world cannot consist of walled corporate fiefdoms ruled only by profitmaximization. The interests of workers, consumers and citizens in virtuality require proactive legislation and oversight.
This white paper first addresses the central question the metaverse poses, whether virtual life is inherently more alienating and less authentic than face-to-face life experiences. This question is both a philosophical question about the nature of the good life and an empirical question about the accumulating evidence about the impacts of the digital on subjective well-being. |
2008
|
 | Dvorsky, George All Together Now: Developmental and ethical considerations for biologically uplifting nonhuman animals Technical Manual 2008. @manual{Dvorsky2008b,
title = {All Together Now: Developmental and ethical considerations for biologically uplifting nonhuman animals},
author = {George Dvorsky},
url = {https://ieet.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IEET-01-AllTogetherNow.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-05-01},
institution = {Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies},
abstract = {As the potential for enhancement technologies migrates from the theoretical to the practical, a difficult and important decision will be imposed upon human civilization, namely the issue as to whether or not we are morally obligated to biologically enhance nonhuman animals and integrate them into human and posthuman society. Precedents for intra-species cultural uplift abound in human history, providing both sobering and edifying episodes showcasing the possibilities for the instigated and accelerated advancement of technologically delayed societies. As a number of scientists, philosophers and futurists have recently argued, there is mounting evidence in support of the suggestion that these historical episodes are symptomatic of a larger developmental trend, namely the inexorable and steady advancement of intelligence. Civilizational progress necessarily implies increasing levels of organization and refinement across all realms of activity. Consequently, the status of nonhuman species and the biosphere will eventually come under the purview of guided intelligence rather than autonomous processes. That said, a developmental tendency towards uplift does not imply that it is good or right; more properly, it can be argued that uplift scenarios do in fact carry moral currency. Through the application of Rawlsian moral frameworks, and in consideration of the acknowledgement of legally recognized nonhuman persons, it can be shown that the presence of uplift biotechnologies will represent a new primary good and will thus necessitate the inclusion of highly sapient nonhumans into what has traditionally been regarded as human society. In addition to issues of distributive justice, the Rawlsian notion of original position can be used to answer the question of whether or not there is consent to uplift. Finally, it will be shown that the presence of uplift biotechnologies in the absence of the legal recognition of nonhuman persons and a mandate for responsible uplifting will ultimately lead to abuse, adding another important consideration to the uplift imperative},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {manual}
}
As the potential for enhancement technologies migrates from the theoretical to the practical, a difficult and important decision will be imposed upon human civilization, namely the issue as to whether or not we are morally obligated to biologically enhance nonhuman animals and integrate them into human and posthuman society. Precedents for intra-species cultural uplift abound in human history, providing both sobering and edifying episodes showcasing the possibilities for the instigated and accelerated advancement of technologically delayed societies. As a number of scientists, philosophers and futurists have recently argued, there is mounting evidence in support of the suggestion that these historical episodes are symptomatic of a larger developmental trend, namely the inexorable and steady advancement of intelligence. Civilizational progress necessarily implies increasing levels of organization and refinement across all realms of activity. Consequently, the status of nonhuman species and the biosphere will eventually come under the purview of guided intelligence rather than autonomous processes. That said, a developmental tendency towards uplift does not imply that it is good or right; more properly, it can be argued that uplift scenarios do in fact carry moral currency. Through the application of Rawlsian moral frameworks, and in consideration of the acknowledgement of legally recognized nonhuman persons, it can be shown that the presence of uplift biotechnologies will represent a new primary good and will thus necessitate the inclusion of highly sapient nonhumans into what has traditionally been regarded as human society. In addition to issues of distributive justice, the Rawlsian notion of original position can be used to answer the question of whether or not there is consent to uplift. Finally, it will be shown that the presence of uplift biotechnologies in the absence of the legal recognition of nonhuman persons and a mandate for responsible uplifting will ultimately lead to abuse, adding another important consideration to the uplift imperative |
 | George Dvorsky, James Hughes Postgenderism: Beyond the Gender Binary Technical Manual 2008. @manual{Dvorsky2008,
title = {Postgenderism: Beyond the Gender Binary},
author = {George Dvorsky, James Hughes},
url = {https://ieet.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IEET-03-PostGender.pdf},
year = {2008},
date = {2008-03-01},
institution = {Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies},
abstract = {Postgenderism is an extrapolation of ways that technology is eroding the biological, psychological and social role of gender, and an argument for why the erosion of binary gender will be liberatory. Postgenderists argue that gender is an arbitrary and unnecessary limitation on human potential, and foresee the elimination of involuntary biological and psychological gendering in the human species through the application of neurotechnology, biotechnology and reproductive technologies. Postgenderists contend that dyadic gender roles and sexual dimorphisms are generally to the detriment of individuals and society. Assisted reproduction will make it possible for individuals of any sex to reproduce in any combinations they choose, with or without "mothers" and "fathers," and artificial wombs will make biological wombs unnecessary for reproduction. Greater biological fluidity and psychological androgyny will allow future persons to explore both masculine and feminine aspects of personality. Postgenderists do not call for the end of all gender traits, or universal androgyny, but rather that those traits become a matter of choice. Bodies and personalities in our postgender future will no longer be constrained and circumscribed by gendered traits, but enriched by their use in the palette of diverse self-expression.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {manual}
}
Postgenderism is an extrapolation of ways that technology is eroding the biological, psychological and social role of gender, and an argument for why the erosion of binary gender will be liberatory. Postgenderists argue that gender is an arbitrary and unnecessary limitation on human potential, and foresee the elimination of involuntary biological and psychological gendering in the human species through the application of neurotechnology, biotechnology and reproductive technologies. Postgenderists contend that dyadic gender roles and sexual dimorphisms are generally to the detriment of individuals and society. Assisted reproduction will make it possible for individuals of any sex to reproduce in any combinations they choose, with or without "mothers" and "fathers," and artificial wombs will make biological wombs unnecessary for reproduction. Greater biological fluidity and psychological androgyny will allow future persons to explore both masculine and feminine aspects of personality. Postgenderists do not call for the end of all gender traits, or universal androgyny, but rather that those traits become a matter of choice. Bodies and personalities in our postgender future will no longer be constrained and circumscribed by gendered traits, but enriched by their use in the palette of diverse self-expression. |
2006
|
 | Walker, Mark In Praise of Bio-Happiness Technical Manual 2006. @manual{Walker2006,
title = {In Praise of Bio-Happiness},
author = {Mark Walker},
url = {https://ieet.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IEET-02-BioHappiness.pdf},
year = {2006},
date = {2006-12-01},
institution = {Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies},
abstract = {In the last half-century or so there has been a veritable revolution in our understanding of the biology of “happiness”. It is well established, for example, that pharmacological agents such as anti-depressants as well as “illicit” drugs like “Ecstasy” can affect our mood to such an extent that many report a level of well-being never experienced before. There is also mounting evidence that genes play a significant role in individual differences in happiness. So, science and technology are opening up new frontiers in happiness: both in our understanding of the biology of happiness as well as the possibility of directly manipulating the biological roots of happiness.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {manual}
}
In the last half-century or so there has been a veritable revolution in our understanding of the biology of “happiness”. It is well established, for example, that pharmacological agents such as anti-depressants as well as “illicit” drugs like “Ecstasy” can affect our mood to such an extent that many report a level of well-being never experienced before. There is also mounting evidence that genes play a significant role in individual differences in happiness. So, science and technology are opening up new frontiers in happiness: both in our understanding of the biology of happiness as well as the possibility of directly manipulating the biological roots of happiness. |
