Robert Gordon University

11/06/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/06/2025 05:28

RGU contributes to major report on AI ethics for geoscience community

Entitled 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics Recommendations for the Geoscience Community', the report presents recommendations for the ethical application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the geosciences.

The report is intended as a guide to ethical issues in AI for practicing academics, industrialists, governmental and non-governmental geoscientists, society leaders and policymakers. As well as providing ethical considerations for the use of AI in geoscience, the report also contributes to ongoing academic debates on AI and ethics.

Professor Simon Burnett from RGU's School of Law and Social Sciences, said: "We're delighted that RGU has had a chance to input into this significant report, which has now been explicitly endorsed by international organisations representing over 300,000 geoscientists world-wide.

"The geological sciences inform critical societal decisions, from resource extraction and water management to disaster preparedness and infrastructure planning. These decisions affect public safety, environmental sustainability, economic equity, and the rights of communities whose lands and livelihoods are directly impacted.

"Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to amplify existing ethical challenges, as well as creating new ones. It is critical therefore, that we develop and deploy AI in the geosciences that respect human rights, promote fairness, remain accountable and align with societal values."

The report was produced by the Task Group on AI Ethics in Geosciences under the Commission on Geoethics of the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), chaired by Professor Paul Cleverley, visiting professor at RGU. In addition to Professor Cleverley, the report was co-authored by experts in Finland, Australia and South Africa, including the Chair of the UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge (COMEST).

The report was reviewed and approved by 22 experts from 14 countries covering 6 continents, including Professor Burnett.

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