Animals and AI
This research stream is lead by Senior Research Fellow in Digital Ethics, Dr Simon Coghlan from the School of Computing and Information systems. The research stream aligns with CAIDE's trustworthy AI research stream. Research projects include the AI-machine-human-animal continuum, the use of apps with domestic pets, and animal-computer interaction.
Publications
- Coghlan, S., Webber, S., & Carter, M. (2021). Improving ethical attitudes to animals with digital technologies: the case of apes and zoos. Ethics and Information Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-021-09618-7
- Coghlan, S., & Sparrow, L., (2020). ‘The “digital animal intuition:” the ethics of violence against animals in video games. Ethics and Information Technology, 23, 215-224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-020-09557-9
- Webber, S., Cobb, M. L., & Coe, J. (2022). Welfare Through Competence: A Framework for Animal-Centric Technology Design. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.885973
Media pieces and event recordings
- Animals, Ethics and Technology: Towards Digital Rights for Animals (June 25 , 2021)
- ‘You wouldn’t hit a dog, so why kill one in Minecraft? Why Violence against virtual animals is an ethical issue’ Simon Coghlan and Lucy Sparrow, The Conversation and Pursuit, 25 September 2020.
Research Projects
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Beyond Anthropomorphism? The AI - Machine - Human - Animal continuum
This project is a collaboration between the Centre for AI and Digital Ethics and the Digital Society Initiative at the University of Zurich on the AI - Machine - Human - Animal continuum.
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Animals and Digital Technologies
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Beasts and Bushes, Bits and Bytes: Inclusive Accountability and Algorithmic Decision Making
This project was a successful recipient of CAIDE's 2022 seed funding round 'The Moral Crumple Zone'
Researchers
- Dr Simon Coghlan
Senior Research Fellow in Digital Ethics
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
University of Melbourne
- Professor Jeannie Paterson
Co-Director - Centre for AI and Digital Ethics
Melbourne Law School
University of Melbourne
- Dr Mia Cobb
Research Fellow in Animal Welfare Science
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences
University of Melbourne
- Dr Sarah Webber
Research Fellow in Human-Computer Interaction
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
University of Melbourne
- Professor Christine Parker
Professor in Ecological Regulation
Melbourne Law School
University of Melbourne