Cristina Richie is hosting workshops for her seed-funding grant

Despite identifiable concerns of artificial intelligence (AI) use in healthcare biotechnologies, the most significant ethical issue ought not be vulnerabilities in the software or potential for exploitation of biodata, but the environmental impact. Healthcare emits a significant amount of carbon in many countries, thus contributing to climate change. In 2017, the Dutch biomedical industry emitted an estimated 15.8 million metric tons of carbon, or 8.1% of the country’s total emissions. While healthcare biotechnologies may be made more sustainable by “greening” the medical lifecycle or by targeting high-impact biotechnologies it would be too laborious to calculate the carbon impact of every aspect of biotech, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of AI. This tension drives my research question: "In absence of comprehensive carbon calculations, how can AI in biotech be more environmentally sustainable?"

The project will hold four collaborative workshops to discuss and develop frameworks for sustainable AI in biomedical technologies and offer three deliverables: dissemination of discussion, application of additional funding, and public engagement. Those wishing to be involved may contact Dr. Richie ahead of the workshops at c.s.richie@tudelft.nl