Description
Abstract:The rapid adoption of Generative AI in academic research has outpaced traditional ethical governance frameworks. Research ethics reviewers face significant challenges in assessing ethical risk, while researchers lack clear guidance on transparent and responsible AI use.
This paper presents a recently implemented framework from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, detailing a comprehensive overhaul of research ethics application forms and supporting documentation to systematically address these emerging challenges. Moving beyond a simple binary approach to AI use in academic research, the revised documentation introduces granular risk stratification. For example, the framework introduces a six-tier classification system for AI tools used in post-collection data processing and analysis.
This system ranges from highly secure Local LLMs to public AI tools with no privacy modes, allowing researchers to accurately map, and reflect on, the specific risk level of their AI tool use. Furthermore, it explicitly provides for near-future use cases, such as deploying AI as a ‘virtual researcher’ for real-time participant interaction.
This presentation will demonstrate the operationalisation of these concepts within Participant Information Sheets and Informed Consent Forms. This ensures participants are actively informed about 1 complex data flows, such as the inherent biometric risks of processing raw audio/video data through external AI providers, or the limitations of confidentiality when sharing interaction logs from third-party AI tools. Based on this, the updated framework mandates specific, opt-in consent clauses for distinct AI activities.
Ultimately, this paper illustrates how updating institutional documentation shifts the focus from policing AI to empowering researchers with the practical tools needed to use it transparently and responsibly.
| Period | 27 Apr 2026 |
|---|---|
| Event title | University of Liverpool AI Conference 2026: Confidence, Competence and Context: Building collaborative approaches to AI literacy in learning, education and research |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Liverpool, United KingdomShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |