Sometimes criticism of vets is unfair – and harmful. But a new book urges us to reflect deeply on ethics in veterinary services.
- Senior Lecturer in Digital Ethics; Deputy Director, Centre for AI and Digital Ethics, The University of Melbourne
While we’re at the peak of AI hype, some people are concerned it will wipe out humanity.
Even if you suspect a fake, here’s what to consider before accusing someone of using AI to create art, music or writing.
To make sure search engines serve us well, it’s helpful to imagine these tools having different roles – whether it’s a “librarian” or a “teacher”.
If left unchecked, artificial intelligence will harm animals. Experts in law, ethics and animal welfare call for AI to be included in the revised Australian Animal Welfare Strategy, coming soon.
First published in 1975, Animal Liberation opened our eyes to the exploitation of animals. At a time of ‘ag-gag’ laws and ‘skyscraper’ farms, a new edition assesses the state of animal rights today.
Compassionate conservationists believe all animals have a right to be here, even introduced species like wild horses. Their vocal critics are avoiding vital ethical questions around conservation.
Scientists have created tiny self-replicating organisms made from frog stem cells. So is this as much of a Pandora’s Box as it sounds? Not yet, but we should carefully weigh the risks and rewards.
The pandemic has driven the rapid uptake of programs that use artificial intelligence to monitor students sitting exams remotely. New research highlights the need for caution in its use.
Video game ‘amoralists’ argue killing in gaming isn’t harmful since no living being is actually hurt. But when it comes to hurting virtual animals, we disagree.
Xenobots have been called the world’s first “living robots”. They are made entirely of living tissue, and can be programmed to move towards a certain object.
Robots are becoming more common in our lives. And while they may not have “feelings”, perhaps the way we treat them reflects more on our character than we previously thought.
Vets can often grapple with ‘convenience euthanasia’, where a client brings in a pet because it may, for instance, interfere with their lifestyle.
Behind the uproar over Johnny Depp’s dogs lies a serious and evolving idea: our animal companions have an important place in our lives that entitles them to rights akin to a sort of citizenship.
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