KILEWI

Description 

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers enormous opportunities for the Life Sciences. In a short period of time, this technology can use publicly availabe research data to calculate complex biological molecules in a model, for example, so that they can then be synthesised afterwards. But how do we deal with the fact that new dangerous substances and toxins – whether intentionally or as a side effect – can also be identified (and consequently synthesised) in this way? AI is more than just a tool; it also acts as a ‘partner in knowledge production’. Since AI does not yet have a moral or ethical compass, researchers and society as users of AI must contribute the necessary ethical competencies.
The aim of the KILEWI discourse project is to promote objective argumentative discourse on the topic of research ethics while creating space for different ethical positions. For this purpose, the researchers are developing a cooperative role-playing game. The playful exploration of the ethical and social challenges surrounding AI-supported methods is intended to convey factual knowledge and various skills: How do I conduct an (ethical) debate? How do I make judgements based on the available arguments? In addition, ethical competence is also trained by raising ethical awareness and moral judgement.

To develop the game, researchers investigate current topics and consult with experts in biology, medicine, and biotechnology to incorporate new questions early on. Both practical and overarching questions are addressed, such as: What new challenges do AI-supported methods pose in the Life Sciences in civil or military applications (keyword: dual use)? What requirements should data-driven research meet with regard to data protection and data sovereignty? The overarching question is, for example: What opportunities does AI open up as a new actor in research and knowledge generation? And what risks arise from the use of AI for individuals and society as a whole?

The developed game, together with the accompanying teaching and learning materials, will be offered on the ‘AI Campus’ funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), a free learning platform on the subject of Artificial Intelligence. In this way, the discourse project contributes to educating young people and preparing future professionals for complex decision-making scenarios.

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Duration

1st October 2025 to 30th September 2027