AstroAI Workshop 2025
Elisabeth Sylvan
Responsible AI in Research
Presenter: Elisabeth Sylvan (Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, Technical University of Munich)
Title: Responsible AI in Research
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 9th, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Abstract: As researchers use generative AI in their projects, they may be both excited by AI’s potential and concerned about how to responsibly deploy this new and rapidly changing technology. This session will establish a conceptual framework for the ethical use of AI and then explore how these principles can be applied to workshop participants’ projects. First, we will delve into the core principles of AI ethics and explore methods for their implementation in research efforts. Subsequently, we will apply these concepts to real-world research scenarios. This will involve an examination of existing case studies where generative AI has been utilized in research, providing a foundation for participants to critically assess and ethically approach their current or prospective AI-enabled research endeavors. If they are inclined, before the session workshop participants may write to the speaker (sylvan@cyber.harvard.edu) with their ethical concerns, whether conceptual or practical, so that these can be explored as examples.
Biography: Professor Elisabeth Sylvan serves in faculty roles in the School of Engineering at Brown University, the Department of Architecture and Design at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and School of Politics and Public Policy at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). As a member of the faculty of the joint Brown-RISD Masters of Arts in Design Engineering, she teaches “Designing with Emerging Technologies: Generative AI” in RISD’s Industrial Design department. At TUM she teaches “Critical Thinking in the Time of Generative AI” and is a member of the Global Tech Policy Practice, an advisor to the AIEdtech Ethics project and an expert in the Frontiers in Digital Child Safety Working Group. Dr. Sylvan is an Associate Editor for the journal, Critical AI and an expert contributor to the AI Policy Observatory. From 2019-2024, Dr. Sylvan served in executive leadership at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, where she remains an affiliate. Her contributions there included co-leading the Policy Practice and the Co-designing Generative Futures initiative, representing BKC with both the Global Network of Internet & Society Centers and the International Network for Digital Self Determination, and advising national governments. Previously, she was the Vice President of Education at The Tech Interactive in Silicon Valley, Maker in Residence at the Krause Center for Innovation at Foothill College, Fellow and Director of Learning and Community at Manylabs, and a Researcher Scientist and Project Director at the education R&D nonprofit, TERC. Dr. Sylvan’s M.S. and Ph.D. are from the MIT Media Lab where her work addressed how sociotechnical systems support shared knowledge and group action.