AI, big data and the future of consent

Adam Andreotta, Nin Kirkham, Marco Rizzi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss several problems with current Big data practices which, we claim, seriously erode the role of informed consent as it pertains to the use of personal information. To illustrate these problems, we consider how the notion of informed consent has been understood and operationalised in the ethical regulation of biomedical research (and medical practices, more broadly) and compare this with current Big data practices. We do so by first discussing three types of problems that can impede informed consent with respect to Big data use. First, we discuss the transparency (or explanation) problem. Second, we discuss the re-repurposed data problem. Third, we discuss the meaningful alternatives problem. In the final section of the paper, we suggest some solutions to these problems. In particular, we propose that the use of personal data for commercial and administrative objectives could be subject to a ‘soft governance’ ethical regulation, akin to the way that all projects involving human participants (e.g., social science projects, human medical data and tissue use) are regulated in Australia through the Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs). We also consider alternatives to the standard consent forms, and privacy policies, that could make use of some of the latest research focussed on the usability of pictorial legal contracts.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1715-1728
Number of pages14
JournalAI and Society
Volume37
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'AI, big data and the future of consent'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this